California Assembly Bill AB412 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 412AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 26, 2015 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Chvez FEBRUARY 19, 2015 An act to amend Section 51210 of the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 412, as amended, Chvez. Pupil instruction: required courses of  study.  study: complaint procedure.  Existing law requires the adopted course of study for grades 1 to 6, inclusive, to include certain areas of study, including, among others, English, mathematics, social sciences, science, and visual and performing arts, as specified.  This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to these provisions.   This bill would authorize a complaint that a school district or county superintendent of schools has not complied with the requirements of the adopted course of study for grades 1 to 6, inclusive, to be filed with the school district or county superintendent of schools pursuant to the Uniform Complaint Procedures, as specified. The bill would authorize a complainant not satisfied with the school district's or county superintendent of schools decision to file an appeal with the Superintendent of Public Instruction. If a school district or county office of education finds merit in the complaint, or the Superintendent finds merit in the appeal, the bill would require the school district or county superintendent of schools to provide a remedy, as provided. To the extent this bill would impose additional duties on school districts or county education officials, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.  Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no   yes  . State-mandated local program:  no   yes  . THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 51210 of the Education Code is amended to read: 51210.  (a)    The adopted course of study for grades 1 to 6, inclusive, shall include instruction, beginning in grade 1 and continuing through grade 6, in the following areas of study:  (a)   (1)  English, including knowledge of, and appreciation for literature and the language, as well as the skills of speaking, reading, listening, spelling, handwriting, and composition.  (b)   (2)  Mathematics, including concepts, operational skills, and problem solving.  (c)   (3)  Social sciences, drawing upon the disciplines of anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology, designed to fit the maturity of the pupils. Instruction shall provide a foundation for understanding the history, resources, development, and government of California and the United States of America; the development of the American economic system, including the role of the entrepreneur and labor; the relations of persons to their human and natural environment; eastern and western cultures and civilizations; contemporary issues; and the wise use of natural resources.  (d)   (4)  Science, including the biological and physical aspects, with emphasis on the processes of experimental inquiry and on the place of humans in ecological systems.  (e)   (5)  Visual and performing arts, including instruction in the subjects of dance, music, theater, and visual arts, aimed at the development of aesthetic appreciation and the skills of creative expression.  (f)   (6)  Health, including instruction in the principles and practices of individual, family, and community health.  (g)   (7)  Physical education, with emphasis upon the physical activities for the pupils that may be conducive to health and vigor of body and mind, for a total period of time of not less than 200 minutes each 10 schooldays, exclusive of recesses and the lunch period.  (h)   (8)  Other studies that may be prescribed by the governing board.  (b) (1) A complaint that a school district or county superintendent of schools has not complied with the requirements of this section may be filed with a school district or county superintendent of schools pursuant to the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.   (2) A complainant not satisfied with the decision of the school district or county superintendent of schools may appeal the decision to the Superintendent and shall receive a written appeal decision within 60 days of the Superintendent's receipt of the appeal.   (3) If a school district or county superintendent of schools finds merit in a complaint filed pursuant to this subdivision, or if the Superintendent finds merit in an appeal made pursuant to paragraph (2), the school district or county superintendent of schools shall provide a remedy to all affected pupils, parents, and guardians.   SEC. 2.   If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.