Bill Text: CA AB137 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Pupil instruction: civics.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2013-09-06 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 225, Statutes of 2013. [AB137 Detail]

Download: California-2013-AB137-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 137	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 6, 2013
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 10, 2013
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 14, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Buchanan

                        JANUARY 16, 2013

   An act to amend Section 33540 of the Education Code, relating to
pupil instruction.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 137, as amended, Buchanan. Pupil instruction: civics.
   Existing law requires the Instructional Quality Commission to
review and revise, as necessary, the course requirements in the
history-social science framework to ensure that minimum standards for
courses in American government and civics include certain matters.
   This bill would additionally require the commission, when revising
the history-social science framework, to ensure that the course
requirements include teaching pupils how to interact, in a practical
manner, with state and local governmental agencies and
representatives to solve problems and to petition for changes in laws
and procedures, and that these course requirements are included in
all history and social science course and grade levels, as
appropriate. The commission would also be required, whenever the
framework is revised, to receive input from civics learning experts,
for the purpose of integrating civics learning content, concepts, and
skills with the standards established by the State Board of
Education in core curriculum areas at all appropriate grade levels,
and to consider how civics and learning instruction include the
application of that content. 
   The bill would make a statement of legislative intent with regard
to the subsequent history-social science framework. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 33540 of the Education Code is amended to read:

   33540.  (a) The state board and the department shall request that
the commission review and revise, as necessary, the course
requirements in the history-social science framework developed by the
History-Social Science Curriculum Framework and Criteria Committee
of the state board to ensure that minimum standards for courses in
American government and civics include sufficient attention to
teaching pupils how to interact, in a practical manner, with state
and local governmental agencies and representatives to solve problems
and to petition for changes in laws and procedures and that these
course requirements are also included in all history and social
science courses and grade levels, as appropriate.
   (b) Whenever the history-social science framework is revised as
required by law, the commission shall do all of the following:
    (1) Receive input from civics learning experts, including civics
education program providers, associations of civics educators, and
organizations dedicated to research on civics learning, for the
purpose of integrating civics learning content, concepts, and skills,
at all appropriate grade levels, with the standards established by
the state board in core curriculum areas, as specified in Section
60605.
   (2) Consider how civics and history instruction, at all
appropriate grade levels, includes, in addition to the acquisition of
content knowledge, the application of that content to develop the
competence and skills needed for civic engagement.
   (3) Ensure that the following historical documents are
incorporated into the framework, as appropriate:
   (A) The Declaration of Independence.
   (B) The United States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.
   (C) The Federalist Papers.
   (D) The Emancipation Proclamation.
   (E) The Gettysburg Address.
   (F) George Washington's Farewell Address. 
   (c) It is the intent of the Legislature, for purposes of only the
history-social science framework that is revised subsequent to the
effective date of the act amending this section, that the
requirements imposed pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of
subdivision (b) may be satisfied under the framework adoption
procedures currently being utilized by the department as of January
1, 2014.