May 30, 2006
Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Visits Central Valley Schools
to Discuss Options for Students Yet to Pass Exit Exam
State Superintendent Provides Update on Legislative Agenda
BAKERSFIELD/FRESNO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today is visiting high schools in Bakersfield and Fresno to discuss the status of the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) and efforts to help students yet to pass the exam.
"I am pleased the Exit Exam remains a graduation requirement so that a diploma from a California public high school means that students have mastered essential skills in English and math," O'Connell said. "With the reinstatement of the Exit Exam requirement, the state Supreme Court has brought needed certainty to our schools. Graduation ceremonies can proceed as planned before this exam was challenged in court.
"Later this summer, we look forward to arguing the merits of the exam before the Court of Appeal. I am confident that the Exit Exam will remain in effect for the Class of 2006, the Class of 2007, and beyond because the exam is helping create a better future for our students and our state."
O'Connell discussed with local school officials options for students in the Class of 2006 who have not yet passed the Exit Exam. He also provided an update on the status of legislation he is sponsoring to expand options for students struggling to master the skills measured by the exam. O'Connell is also sponsoring bills to increase school accountability, to close the achievement gap, and expand programs to better train and support teachers and school leaders. His legislative package cleared key hurdles in the Legislative process last week with Appropriations Committees in the Senate and Assembly approving nearly every O'Connell-sponsored bill.
"Now we remain focused on making certain every student has every opportunity to prepare for and pass this exam," O'Connell said. "I'm sponsoring legislation that is quickly moving toward the Governor's desk to provide an extra chance to take the exam this summer and in adult education programs and also to provide summer school and adult school focused on the needs of students who have yet to pass the exam in order to get a diploma.
"Maintaining this exam is critical to holding California schools accountable. It has led to more focus and more services for students who were most at risk of falling behind and dropping out. I am pleased to see so many of these students work harder than they would have otherwise, and stay focused until they pass this exam. Without those essential skills in English and math, they'll face a very rough road ahead. With them, they will be equipped not only to survive in our competitive global economy but to thrive."
Expanding Options for Students Struggling With the CAHSEE
O'Connell's legislative package includes the following bills to expand options for students who have not been successful in passing the exam:
AB 2532, by Assemblymember Betty Karnette (D-Long Beach), will ensure funding for students who are preparing to take the CAHSEE through adult education programs. This bill was approved by the Assembly Appropriations committee. It will be considered next on the floor of the Assembly.
AB 2163, by Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara), contains a number or provisions aimed at helping to better prepare students and improve the high school senior year. The measure lifts the caps on high school independent study programs for students who have completed four years of high school without passing the CAHSEE so they can take intensive instruction courses designed to help them pass. It includes programmatic recommendations such as individual learning plans to improve the senior year for students who are struggling to pass the exit exam. This bill was approved by the Assembly Appropriations committee. It will be considered next on the floor of the Assembly.
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 Governor Schwarzenegger's May Budget Revision. This bill has been approved by the Assembly. It will next be heard in the Senate Education Committee.
SB 1383, by Senator Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento), provides eligibility for Cal Grants to students who are financially eligible to qualify, meet all other graduation requirements, and have at least a 2.0 grade point average, but have not passed the exit exam. This bill was approved by the Senate Appropriations committee. It will be considered next on the floor of the Senate.
Increasing Accountability and Closing the Achievement Gap
O'Connell is 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 considered this week on the Senate 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 Education 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 was approved by the Assembly Appropriations committee. It will be considered next on the floor of the Assembly.
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 was approved by the Assembly Appropriations committee. It will be considered next on the floor of the Assembly.
AB 2448, by Assemblymember Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley), increases accountability and monitoring of Regional Occupational Centers and Programs. This bill was approved by the Assembly Appropriations committee. It will be considered next on the floor of the Assembly.
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 was approved by the Assembly Appropriations committee. It will be considered next on the floor of the Assembly.AB 2529, by Assemblymember Simon Salinas (D-Salinas), increases the number of California Partnership Academies in high schools throughout California – a recommendation of O'Connell's California P-16 Council. This bill remains on the suspense file in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Superintendent O'Connell continues to be committed to improving access to career technical education programs that combine real world experience with academic rigor for students. These programs make learning relevant for many students.
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 measure was approved by the Assembly Education Committee. It will be heard next in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
SB 1190, by Senator Elaine Alquist (D-Santa Clara), adds science to the teacher professional development program. This bill has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. It will be considered next on the floor of the Senate.
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 has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. It will be considered next on the floor of the Senate.
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 has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. It will be considered next on the floor of the Senate.
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 has been approved by the Assembly. It will be considered next by the Senate Education Committee.
