California Assembly Bill AB137 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 137AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 10, 2013 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 14, 2013 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Buchanan JANUARY 16, 2013 An act to amend Section 33540 of the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 137, as amended, Buchanan. Pupil instruction: 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 ensure that the course requirements include 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, and that these course requirements are included in all history and social science course and grade levels, as appropriate. The commission would also be required,   whenever the framework is revised,  to receive input from  civic   civics  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   all appropriate  grade level,   levels,  and to  ensure that the civics learning content, concepts, and skills to be taught include certain matters   consider how civics and learning instruction include the application of that content  . Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: 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 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  and that these course requirements are also included in all history and social   science courses and grade levels, as appropriate  . (b)  When   Whenever  the history-social science framework is revised as required by law, the commission shall do all of the following: (1) Receive input from  civic   civics  learning experts, including  civic   civics  education program providers, associations of  civic   civics  educators, and organizations dedicated to research on  civic   civics  learning, for the purpose of integrating civics learning content, concepts, and skills, at  each   all appropriate  grade  level   levels  , 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.   Consider how civics and history instruction, at all appropriate grade levels, includes, in addition to the acquisition of content knowledge, the application of that content to develop the competence and skills needed for civic engagement.  (3) Ensure that the following historical documents are incorporated into the framework, as appropriate: (A) The Declaration of Independence. (B) The United States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights. (C) The Federalist Papers. (D) The Emancipation Proclamation. (E) The Gettysburg Address. (F) George Washington's Farewell Address.