Public schools: accountability: county superintendents of schools.
If passed, AB 2472 would require county superintendents to conduct annual inspections of the newly designated low-performing schools and submit comprehensive reports detailing the state of these schools to their respective governing bodies. This enhanced oversight is intended to ensure that these schools receive the necessary support and resources to address the challenges they face. Additionally, the bill codifies the requirement for the State Board of Education to review the school list and make further recommendations to the Legislature, potentially fostering a more collaborative approach to improving school performance across the state.
Assembly Bill 2472, introduced by Assembly Member Jones-Sawyer, aims to amend Section 1240 of the California Education Code concerning the duties of county superintendents of schools. The bill seeks to enhance the accountability and inspection processes for public schools identified as low-performing. This is primarily driven by the state's broader goal of improving education outcomes, particularly for schools that require comprehensive support and improvement as mandated by federal legislation, including the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Under this bill, the Superintendent of Public Instruction will develop a new list of schools based on multiple measures from the state's accountability system, replacing the previous system reliant on the Academic Performance Index (API).
One notable point of contention surrounding AB 2472 relates to the potential fiscal impact on both the counties and the state. The California Constitution obligates the state to reimburse local agencies for certain mandated costs incurred due to state legislation. Thus, the bill also contains provisions to ensure that if the Commission on State Mandates identifies that AB 2472 inflicts new financial burdens, reimbursements will follow according to established state procedures. Critics may raise concerns regarding the adequacy of state support for these new responsibilities, while supporters argue that accountability in education warrants such measures to ensure that low-performing schools receive focused attention.