Senate approves bill to expand career technical education

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SACRAMENTO – The California Senate voted 34-4 Monday to approve Senate Bill 1442, legislation by Sen. Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) authorizing school districts and charter schools to offer project-based learning, including career technical education, in programs funded by the state to provide remedial instruction after or before school, on weekends or during the summer.


In presenting the bill before Monday’s vote, Wiggins noted that existing law requires schools to provide supplemental instruction to students who do not demonstrate sufficient progress towards passing the California High School Exit Exam.


“However, there is a common misconception that remediation can only be offered through traditional practices,” she added. “This bill will clarify that schools can utilize a project-based or applied learning approach – similar to methods taught in career technical education – in their supplemental instruction programs, provided that the courses meet state academic standards and the programs are offered before or after school, on Saturdays or in the summer.”


SB 1442 authorizes school districts or charter schools that offer supplemental instructional to pupils who are not making progress toward passing the high school exit examination to offer courses that integrate core curriculum with project-based learning, including career technical education.


The bill also authorizes school districts or charter schools that offer supplemental instruction to pupils who are recommended for retention or retained in grade to offer courses that integrate core curriculum with project-based learning, including career technical education.


SB 1442 is supported by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the California Association of Leaders for Career Preparation, the California Chamber of Commerce, the California School Boards Association and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.


The bill now heads to the Assembly for consideration.


A long-time advocate for career technical education programs, Wiggins serves on the Senate Select Committee on High School Graduation, and the Senate Select Committee on Schools and Community.


Wiggins represents California’s 2nd Senate District, which includes Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties. Visit her Web site at http://dist02.casen.govoffice.com/.


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