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AB-838 Pupil instruction: model curriculum: 2016 presidential election.(2017-2018)

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Date Published: 05/03/2017 09:00 PM
AB838:v98#DOCUMENT

Amended  IN  Assembly  May 03, 2017

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 838

Introduced by Assembly Member Levine

February 16, 2017

An act to add Section 33543.7 to the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 838, as amended, Levine. Pupil instruction: history-social science curriculum framework: Russian interference with model curriculum: 2016 presidential election.
Existing law requires the Instructional Quality Commission to recommend curriculum frameworks to the State Board of Education. Existing law defines “curriculum framework” as an outline of the components of a given course of study designed to provide state direction to school districts in the provision of instructional programs. Existing law authorizes the state board to consider the adoption of a revised curriculum framework and evaluation criteria for instructional materials in history-social science.
This bill would require the commission, during the next revision of the history-social science curriculum framework after January 1, 2018, to consider including, and recommending for adoption by the state board, high school instruction regarding Russian interference with the 2016 United States presidential election, as appropriate. commission to develop a model curriculum on the 2016 presidential election for pupils enrolled in secondary school government courses, for voluntary use by educators. The bill would specify various topics to be addressed in the model curriculum. The bill would require the state board to adopt, modify, or reject the model curriculum framework recommended by the commission.
The bill, following the adoption by the state board of the model curriculum in accordance with a specified timeline, would require the Superintendent of Public Instruction to post the model curriculum on its Internet Web site for use on a voluntary basis by educators. The bill, beginning in the school year immediately following adoption of the model curriculum by the state board, would encourage local educational agencies and charter schools to use the model curriculum to provide instruction in secondary school government courses.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) California’s history-social science framework, adopted by the State Board of Education in 2016, states that it is the obligation of the State of California to impart upon all students an engaging and relevant history-social science education that will shape how they participate in their world.
(b) The 2016 presidential election was unprecedented in many regards, yet is illustrative of important contemporary issues in American political life, such that it provides unusually rich and engaging content for instructing pupils about the American electoral process.
(c) It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to create a model curriculum, for use in high school government courses, on the American electoral process, using as content the 2016 presidential election.

SEC. 2.

 Section 33543.7 is added to the Education Code, to read:

33543.7.
 (a) The Instructional Quality Commission shall develop, and the State Board of Education shall adopt, reject, or modify, a model curriculum, for pupils enrolled in secondary school government courses, on the 2016 presidential election, for voluntary use by educators. The curriculum shall identify the ways in which the model curriculum aligns with, and is supportive of, the common core state standards and of the goals of the curriculum framework in history-social science adopted by the state board in 2016.
(b) The model curriculum shall address, but shall not necessarily be limited to, the role of all of the following:
(1) The candidates, including personal histories, and actions and statements during the campaign.
(2) The candidates’ positions on a range of policy issues.
(3) The campaigns, including candidates’ statements and use of media, debates, and conventions.
(4) Media coverage of the campaign, including online and social media.
(5) Alleged foreign interference in the American electoral process.
(6) The Electoral College.
(7) Electoral demographics.
(8) Economic and regional labor conditions.
(9) International policy concerns.
(10) Issues of race and ethnicity, gender, age, religious affiliation, and immigration status.
(c) The model curriculum shall provide model lessons and activities for secondary school government courses regarding the content in subdivision (b), and shall identify supporting instructional materials for use in its implementation.
(d) In developing the model curriculum, the Instructional Quality Commission shall convene an advisory group comprised of experts in secondary school government curriculum and instruction. A majority of this group shall be current public school elementary or secondary classroom teachers who have a professional teaching credential that is valid under state law and who have experience or expertise in secondary school government curriculum and instruction.
(e) The Instructional Quality Commission shall hold a minimum of two public hearings in order for the public to provide input on the model curriculum. The public hearings and meetings required by this subdivision shall be held pursuant to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(f) On or before December 31, 2020, the Instructional Quality Commission shall submit the model curriculum to the state board.
(g) On or before March 31, 2021, the state board shall adopt, reject, or modify the model curriculum submitted by the Instructional Quality Commission, at a public meeting held after the submission of the model curriculum pursuant to subdivision (f).
(h) If the state board modifies the model curriculum submitted by the Instructional Quality Commission, the state board shall explain, in writing, the reasons for the modifications to the Governor and the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature.
(i) If the state board modifies the model curriculum, the state board shall, in a meeting conducted pursuant to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), provide written reasons for its revisions. The state board shall not adopt the model curriculum at the same meeting at which it provides its written reasons, but, instead, shall adopt these revisions at a subsequent meeting conducted no later than July 31, 2021.
(j) If the state board rejects the model curriculum, the state board shall transmit to the Superintendent, the Governor, and the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature a specific written explanation of the reasons for the rejection of the model curriculum.
(k) Following the adoption of the model curriculum, the Superintendent shall post the curriculum on its Internet Web site for use on a voluntary basis by educators.
(l) Beginning in the school year following the adoption of the model curriculum, local educational agencies and charter schools are encouraged to use the curriculum to provide instruction in secondary school government courses.

SECTION 1.

This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the Pravda Act of 2017.

SEC. 2.

The Legislature finds and declares that Russian interference with the 2016 United States presidential election was an important occurrence that must be included in high school history textbooks used in California.

SEC. 3.Section 33543.7 is added to the Education Code, to read:
33543.7.

(a)During the next revision of the history-social science curriculum framework after January 1, 2018, the commission shall consider including, and recommending for adoption by the state board, high school instruction regarding Russian interference with the 2016 United States presidential election, as appropriate.

(b)The state board shall adopt, modify, or reject the curriculum framework recommended by the commission pursuant to subdivision (a).