California Assembly Bill AB137 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 137AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 14, 2013 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Buchanan JANUARY 16, 2013 An act to amend Section  51212   33540  of the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 137, as amended, Buchanan. Pupil instruction:  foreign language.   civics.   Existing law requires the Instructional Quality Commission to review and revise, as necessary, the course requirements in the history-social science framework to ensure that minimum standards for courses in American government and civics include certain matters.   This bill would additionally require the commission, when revising the history-social science framework, to receive input from civic learning experts, for the purpose of integrating civics learning content, concepts, and skills with the standards established by the State Board of Education in core curriculum areas at each grade level, and to ensure that the civics learning content, concepts, and skills to be taught include certain matters.   Existing law sets forth the intent and purpose of the Legislature to encourage the establishment of programs of instruction in foreign language, with instruction beginning as early as feasible for each school district.   This bill would make a nonsubstantive change to that provision.  Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no   yes  . State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:  SECTION 1.   Section 33540 of the   Education Code   is amended to read:  33540. (a) The  State Board of Education   state board  and the department shall request that the commission review and revise, as necessary, the course requirements in the history-social science framework developed by the History-Social Science Curriculum Framework and Criteria Committee of the state board to ensure that minimum standards for courses in American government and civics include sufficient attention to teaching pupils how to interact, in a practical manner, with state and local governmental agencies and representatives to solve problems and to petition for changes in laws and procedures. (b) When the history-social science framework is revised as required by law, the commission shall  ensure that the following historical documents are incorporated into the framework, as appropriate   do all of the following  :  (1) Receive input from civic learning experts, including civic education program providers, associations of civic educators, and organizations dedicated to research on civic learning, for the purpose of integrating civics learning content, concepts, and skills, at each grade level, with the standards established by the state board in core curriculum areas, as specified in Section 60605.   (2) Ensure that the civics learning content, concepts, and skills to be taught include, but not be limited to, a basic understanding of the responsibilities and operation of the three branches of state and federal government, the importance of civic engagement, and the competencies needed to become effective and responsible residents and citizens in the 21st century.   (3) Ensure that the following historical documents are incorporated into the framework, as appropriate:   (1)   (A)  The Declaration of Independence.  (2)   (B)  The United States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.  (3)   (C)  The Federalist Papers.  (4)  (D)  The Emancipation Proclamation.  (5)   (   E)  The Gettysburg Address.  (6)   (F)  George Washington's Farewell Address.  SECTION 1.   Section 51212 of the Education Code is amended to read: 51212. It is the intent and purpose of the Legislature to encourage the establishment of programs in foreign language instruction, with instruction beginning as early as feasible for each school district.