California 2015 2015-2016 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB412 Amended / Bill

Filed 04/13/2015

 BILL NUMBER: AB 412AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 13, 2015 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:  physical education  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,   physical education,  as specified.  Existing law requires that physical education have a total period of time of not less than 200 minutes each 10 schooldays, as provided.  This bill would authorize a complaint that a school district or county superintendent of schools has not complied with the  physical education  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 local complaint procedures, if any, or  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   superintendent of schools  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 bill would prohibit specified civil actions against a school district or county superintendent of schools relating to noncompliance with the physical education requirements unless the complainant first follows local complaint procedures, if any, or the Uniform Complaint Procedures, if no local complaint procedures exist.  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: yes. State-mandated local program: 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: (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. (2) Mathematics, including concepts, operational skills, and problem solving. (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. (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. (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. (6) Health, including instruction in the principles and practices of individual, family, and community health. (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. (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  physical education  requirements of  this section   paragraph (7) of subdivision (a)  may be filed with a school district or county superintendent of schools pursuant to  the local complaint procedures, if any, or  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.  (4) A private right of action or civil action shall not be brought against a school district or county superintendent of schools relating to noncompliance with the physical education requirements of paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) unless the complainant first follows the local complaint procedures, if any, or the Uniform Complaint Procedures, pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, if no local complaint procedures exist.  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.