California Assembly Bill AB2072 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 2072AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 18, 2016 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Chang  (   Coauthors:   Assembly Members   Baker,   Brough,  Chau,   and Dodd   )   (   Coauthor:   Senator   Runner   )  FEBRUARY 17, 2016 An act  to add Article 7 (commencing with Section 51470) to Chapter 3 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code,  relating to high school diplomas. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2072, as amended, Chang. High school diplomas: State  Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Seal.   Seal of STEM.  Existing law establishes the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma for the purpose of recognizing pupils who have mastered the high school curriculum. Existing law also establishes the State Seal of Biliteracy to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. This bill would  express the Legislature's intent to enact legislation that would  establish a State  Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Seal.   Seal of STEM to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high   level of proficiency in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. The bill would establish criteria for the receipt of the State Seal of STEM, would require the Superintendent of Public Instruction to prepare and deliver to participating school districts an appropriate insignia to be affixed to pupil diplomas or transcripts, and would require participating school districts to maintain appropriate records and affix the appropriate insignia to diplomas or transcripts of recipient pupils.  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.   Article 7 (commencing with Section 51470) is added to Chapter 3 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the   Education Code   , to read:   Article 7. State Seal of STEM 51470. The State Seal of STEM is established to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in fields of study within the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The State Seal of STEM shall be awarded by the Superintendent. School district participation in this program is voluntary. 51471. The purposes of the State Seal of STEM are as follows: (a) To encourage pupils to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. (b) To certify high achievement within the STEM fields. (c) To provide pupils with a tool to demonstrate STEM competency to employers. (d) To provide universities with a method to recognize and give academic credit to applicants seeking admission. (e) To prepare pupils with 21st century skills. (f) To engage pupils in STEM learning at an early age. (g) To prepare pupils for a job market increasingly in need of individuals with STEM skills. 51472. The State Seal of STEM certifies attainment of a high level of proficiency by a graduating high school pupil in STEM and certifies that the graduate meets all of the following criteria: (a) Attained a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for STEM courses taken in high school. (b) Has one of the following: (1) A score of 3 or higher on an advanced placement examination in science. (2) A score of 600 or higher on an SAT subject test in science. (3) A score of 4 or higher on an international baccalaureate examination in science. (4) A grade of B or higher in a college-level science course taken through concurrent enrollment. (c) Has one of the following: (1) A score of 3 or higher on an advanced placement examination in mathematics. (2) A score of 600 or higher on an SAT subject test in mathematics. (3) A score of 4 or higher on an international baccalaureate examination in mathematics. (4) A grade of B or higher in a college level mathematics course taken through concurrent enrollment. (d) Has one or more of the following: (1) An extracurricular activity relating to STEM, including, but not limited to, any of the following: (A) Active participation in a club or organization that meets regularly and either participates in or organizes events relating to the STEM fields. (B) Participation in STEM based competitions, such as robotics, coding, or engineering. (C) Internships with organizations or employers who work in the STEM fields such as the health sciences, laboratories, or engineering firms. (D) Participation in the research of a STEM topic either done independently or in coordination with a STEM professional such as a university professor or biotech researcher. (E) Participation in a STEM-related career pathway for at least two years, which may include, but is not limited to, engineering, health, energy, or information technology. (2) A grade of B or higher in a computer, technology, or engineering course taken either at the enrolled high school or through concurrent enrollment at a California community college. (3) A score of 3 or higher on the advanced placement computer science examination. 51473. The Superintendent shall do both of the following: (a) Prepare and deliver to participating school districts an appropriate insignia to be affixed to the diploma or transcript of the pupil indicating that the pupil has been awarded a State Seal of STEM by the Superintendent. (b) Provide other information it deems necessary for school districts to successfully participate in the program. 51474. A school district that participates in the program under this article shall do both of the following: (a) Maintain appropriate records in order to identify pupils who have earned a State Seal of STEM. (b) Affix the appropriate insignia to the diploma or transcript of each pupil who earns a State Seal of STEM. 51475. No fee shall be charged to a pupil to receive a State Seal of STEM.   SECTION 1.   It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish a State Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Seal.