August 7, 2006
Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Urges Legislative to Approve
Bills Aimed at Helping Prepare Students for Success
Expanding Options and Opportunities for Students Struggling with CAHSEE
SACRAMENTO — As the Legislature reconvenes for the final weeks of the 2006 session, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today urged lawmakers to approve bills that expand opportunities for students to gain skills required in the competitive global economy through rigorous academics and real world work experience.
Expanding options for students struggling to pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) has been a top priority for O'Connell in this legislative session.
"It is critically important that we make sure we keep every option open for those students who still have not passed the exit exam by the end of their senior year," O'Connell said. "I call on the legislature to pass AB 2532, by Assemblywoman Betty Karnette (D-Long Beach). I want to guarantee there is a seat in adult school for every one of these students who wants to attend in order to learn the skills measured on the exam. This is an important option for students who choose not to return to a fifth year of high school or enroll in community college, but who want to keep studying until to they attain those critical skills."
O'Connell also called for legislative support of AB 2163, by Assemblyman Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara). This measure expands summer school opportunities for students in grades two through six who are at risk of falling behind. This bill would also ensure that fifth year seniors can come back and take the courses they need to pass the exam.
O'Connell's legislative package also includes the following bills to expand options for students who have not been successful in passing the exam:
AB 2040, by Assemblymember Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park), authorizes additional summer and Saturday administrations of the CAHSEE. Funding for these administrations was also included in the recently signed 2006-2007 Budget.
SB 1383, by Senator Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento), extends the Cal Grants application deadline for students who pass the summer administration of the CAHSEE. This measure is before the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
"Students leaving high school face a demanding world," O'Connell said. "I want all students to know that even if they have not yet passed the exit exam, there will be every opportunity for them to study, to learn, to pass the exam, and succeed in this challenging new economy."
Increasing Accountability and Closing the Achievement Gap
Another important measure in O'Connell's sponsored bill package, AB 1570, by Assemblymember Simon Salinas (D-Salinas), would increase the number of California Partnership Academies in high schools throughout California.
"Students stay engaged in school when they are connected with caring adults and also when they can see the real-world relevance of the skills they are learning," O'Connell said. "That's why California Partnership Academies are so successful even for students at risk of academic failure or dropping out of school. I'm disappointed that this bill has been weakened from my proposal to add 500 partnership academies and would now provide just 60 more academies statewide. But while I'll be working to see that a much greater expansion is funded in next year's budget, I call on the Legislature now to pass AB 1570 to keep California Partnership Academies thriving."
Students in California Partnership Academies learn through traditional settings and from mentors in hands-on, real-world experiences to become better communicators, better problem-solvers, and better thinkers – all skills demanded in the workplace and higher education.
Across California, Partnership Academies are highly accountable and highly effective. To qualify for funding, students are required to have good attendance and be on track to graduate — and the graduation rate of these academies is an impressive 95 percent.
Expanding California Partnership Academies was a strong recommendation of the statewide P-16 Council, a council of leaders in education, business, and community organizations appointed by O'Connell in 2005.
O'Connell is also sponsoring key legislation aimed at increasing school accountability and closing the achievement gap between white and affluent students and African American, Latino, and poor students:
SB 1510, by Senator Elaine Alquist (D-Santa Clara), will improve communication between schools and parents by reducing redundancy and clarifying information that is provided to parents in the School Accountability Report Card. This bill will be heard next on the Assembly floor.
AB 1483, by Assemblymember Juan Arambula (D-Fresno), adds early literacy assessment for kindergarten and first grade students to the California English Language Development Test. This bill will next be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
AB 1758, by Assemblymember Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana), establishes High Priority Program exit criteria, provides funding for the work of school assistance teams in High Priority schools, and allocates $4.125 million to districts with large percentages of Program Improvement schools. This bill was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger on April 17, 2006.
AB 2248, by Assemblymember Joe Coto (D-San Jose), extends Reading First grants for two additional years and refines program accountability. This bill is now before the the Senate Appropriations committee.
AB 2254, by Assemblymember Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana), defines eligibility and time lines and sanction exit criteria for future cohorts of the High Priority Program. This bill is before the Senate Appropriations committee.
AB 2448, by Assemblymember Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley), increases accountability and monitoring of Regional Occupational Centers and Programs. This bill is before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
AB 2594, by Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park), refines school accountability for California public schools by coordinating the interventions required under state accountability programs and federal accountability requirements under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. This bill will be considered next by the Senate Appropriations Committee.Expanding Teacher Training
O'Connell is sponsoring the following bills to strengthen preparation programs and provide leadership development for teachers:
SB 472, by Senator Elaine Alquist (D-Santa Clara), reauthorizes high-quality teacher professional development programs (AB 466 training). This bill is before the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
SB 1190, by Senator Elaine Alquist (D-Santa Clara), adds science to the teacher professional development program. This bill is before the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
SB 1433, by Senator Tom Torlakson (D-Antioch), establishes a Teacher Leadership Pilot Program to train teachers to serve as subject matter coaches for teachers. This bill is before the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Other Bills in O'Connell's Legislative Package Include:
SB 1674, by Senator Kevin Murray (D-Culver City), increases state reimbursement rates for all meals served to students through child nutrition programs. This bill is now before the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
AB 2181, by Assemblymember Simon Salinas (D-Salinas), extends the authority of a court to order parents or guardians of students who have not been attending school to immediately enroll or re-enroll students in school or educational program and provide proof of enrollment to the court. This measure will be heard next on the Senate floor.
