BILL NUMBER: SB 611CHAPTERED BILL TEXT CHAPTER 631 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE OCTOBER 8, 2011 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR OCTOBER 8, 2011 PASSED THE SENATE SEPTEMBER 1, 2011 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY AUGUST 31, 2011 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JULY 13, 2011 INTRODUCED BY Senator Steinberg FEBRUARY 17, 2011 An act to add Section 66205.6 to the Education Code, relating to instructional strategies. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 611, Steinberg. Public postsecondary education: University of California. Existing law, the Donahoe Higher Education Act, sets forth the missions and functions of California's public and independent segments of higher education, and their respective institutions of higher education. Provisions of the act apply to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by appropriate resolution, act to make a provision applicable. Existing law also requires the California State University, and requests the University of California, to establish model uniform academic standards, develop and implement a speedy process whereby high schools may obtain approval of their courses as satisfying specified admissions requirements, and develop a simple procedure to evaluate career technical education courses, as specified. This bill would request the Regents of the University of California, subject to availability of funds in the annual Budget Act, the availability of federal or private funds, or any combination thereof, to establish and maintain the University of California Curriculum Integration Institute (UCCII) to be administered by the President of the University of California. The UCCII would facilitate statewide collaboration and innovation among secondary level teachers, faculty, and instructors from various disciplines from the University of California, the California State University, the California Community Colleges, private higher education institutions, and statewide career technical education associations in providing pupils with course content and experience within priority industry sectors among those identified in the California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards as adopted by the State Board of Education. The UCCII would also develop, disseminate, and promote career-oriented, integrated academic and technical education courses that meet course requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University, and align with high-priority industry sectors among those identified in the California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards as adopted by the state board. The President of the University of California would be required to determine the priority among the industry sectors in consultation with, but not limited to, educators, industry leaders, representatives of organized labor, and appropriate state entities. The bill would make legislative declarations and findings. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (1) California's public systems of education have a significant opportunity to contribute to the state's job growth and economic recovery by aligning middle and high school curricula more closely to the needs of growing and emerging sectors of the California economy. (2) Studies show that high schools that bring together strong academics, demanding technical education, and real world experience are more likely to engage pupils, raise high school graduation rates, and better prepare pupils for lasting success in postsecondary education and careers. (3) However, many California pupils now face educational challenges that could impede their ability to be productive participants in the state and national economy. (4) Nearly 100,000 California pupils dropped out of middle and high school in the 2008-09 school year, a number equivalent in size to the population of the City of San Mateo or the City of Compton. Gainful employment prospects for dropouts are shrinking, given the changing nature of the California economy. (5) The Public Policy Institute of California projects that by 2025, two of every five jobs, 41 percent, will require a college degree, an increase from less than one-third of all jobs in 2005. Without increased degree production in the state's colleges and universities, the growth of our emerging economy will be hindered by a lack of highly educated workers. (6) Large majorities of California pupils surveyed say they would be more motivated to work hard and do well if they attended schools where they could take courses needed for college and at the same time have the chance to acquire skills and knowledge relevant to future careers. (7) A stronger and more integrated approach to learning, one that combines rigorous academics with career education, can engage and motivate pupils who are at risk of dropping out and can create more options for them after high school, whether they choose college or career. That type of approach can better prepare pupils for entry directly into the workforce after high school, without compromising academic goals and preparation for college. (8) Investments in delivering pupils the skills and knowledge needed for further education and employment in California's high-growth, high-demand industries are investments in the growth of a knowledge-intensive, innovation economy. (b) The Legislature further finds and declares the following: (1) The University of California Curriculum Integration Institute (UCCII) has begun developing coursework that can accelerate significant and needed changes in the way California pupils learn in the classroom, and can keep more pupils engaged in school through applied learning opportunities that prepare them for college and career. (2) The UCCII brings together secondary level teachers and experts from across the state and nation to develop new model courses that provide pupils with rigorous academic content linked to real world applications. (3) Administered by the University of California, the UCCII connects secondary level educators with faculty and instructors in a number of disciplines from the University of California, the California State University, California Community Colleges, private higher education institutions, and statewide career technical education associations to develop high school curriculum based on career-oriented, integrated academic and technical education content. These newly designed, fully integrated, "a-g" approved courses will serve to enhance pupil prospects for postsecondary education and employment. (4) Through the UCCII, California has a significant opportunity to leverage existing infrastructure to better align middle and high school curricula more closely to the needs of growing and emerging sectors of the California economy by providing teachers with the support and tools necessary to design career-oriented, integrated academic, and technical education content. In doing so, the UCCII can contribute significantly to engaging and retaining at-risk pupils in the early years of high school as well as contribute to job creation, economic development, and sustained economic growth in California. (c) It is the intent of the Legislature to see rapid implementation and scaling of the UCCII. Toward that end, it is the intent of the Legislature, subject to availability of funds in the annual Budget Act, the availability of federal or private funds, or any combination thereof, that the UCCII: (1) Facilitate no less than 10 convenings annually. (2) Serve at least 500 educators each year. (3) By January 1, 2015, have developed no less than 250 courses. SEC. 2. Section 66205.6 is added to the Education Code, to read: 66205.6. (a) Subject to availability of funds in the annual Budget Act, the availability of federal or private funds, or any combination thereof, the Regents of the University of California are requested to establish and maintain the University of California Curriculum Integration Institute (UCCII) to be administered by the President of the University of California. The Institute shall accomplish all of the following: (1) Facilitate statewide collaboration and innovation among secondary level teachers, faculty, and instructors from various disciplines from the University of California, the California State University, the California Community Colleges, private higher education institutions, and statewide career technical education associations in providing California pupils career-oriented, integrated academic and technical education content in a manner that provides pupils with opportunities to experience the application of subject matter content within high-priority industry sectors among those identified in the California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards as adopted by the state board. (2) Develop, disseminate, and promote career-oriented, integrated academic and technical education courses that meet course requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University, and align with high-priority industry sectors among those identified in the California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards as adopted by the state board. (b) For purposes of subdivision (a), the President of the University of California shall determine the priority among the industry sectors in consultation with, but not limited to, educators, industry leaders, representatives of organized labor, and appropriate state entities. (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Regents of the University of California are requested to establish procedures and forms to administer the institute only if the regents, by resolution, make these provisions applicable.