AB 318 by Assemblywoman Caballero is a measure that we should all oppose. It is a legislative effort to apply a one-size fits all approach to Independent Study programs across the state. The measure will be heard in the Senate Education Committee next Wednesday. Please weigh in with Ms. Caballero and the Senate Education Committee members and let them know that you oppose this bill (View).
- AB 318 would negatively impact California’s independent study programs by mandating that a teacher meet with each student once per week- either in person or by live visual means.
- The weekly student/teacher face-to-face meetings would need to be documented and can only be excused with a good cause documented by an administrative process.
- The bill increases the teacher role with the role of Child Protective Services.
- This would create a ‘one-size’ fits all approach to all independent study programs.
- This also would negatively impact schools by placing these extra requirements on teachers and the administration without taking into account the diversity of the students that they serve. This extra burden would increase because the bill would deny schools ADA for not complying with its provisions.
- The bill treats all students the same without taking into account their educational needs and living circumstances. Some students may be traveling, competing, have medical issues, mental health/emotional challenges, or have jobs that prevent them from a face to face ‘check in’ every week during school hours.
- This bill would take teachers away from on-campus classes, electives, science labs and remedial support by requiring the weekly face-to-face meetings with their entire roster. Adding more teachers to maintain the current robust program increases program costs.
- This bill impacts rural teachers who travel distances to meet with students. Programs may need to add more teachers to cover the mileage each week. (Increased program costs)
- The bill does include an exemption, that the principal can grant on an individual basis, but that is problematic because it would increase the principals’ workload as they monitor each student’s situation and progress in an effort to grant the exemption.
- This bill causes more audit issues within Independent Study.
If you have any specific questions, please feel free to contact any of the CCIS board members.
AB 318 Update
July 5, 2017: The bill got out of Senate Education today 4-2 with two amendments. Though they are not in print, here’s my understanding of what they are:
- Changing the ‘in person’ check in from once a week to once every other week. (*This doesn’t matter to us- this is still a new requirement that is mandated and does not fit all programs and will add to audit issues)
- Protecting the school district, schools, and teacher from any liability if they do not check in or miss the check in somehow. ( *Not sure how this will protect anyone if something actually happens to a child)
Now the bill will be headed to the Senate Appropriations Committee where they will ‘work’ up a cost for the implementation of the bill. It should be heard in a few weeks. As you know, if the bill costs over a certain amount it will go on the Suspense File in Appropriations.
What we need to do now is figure out a cost number to implement the provisions of the bill, because of the high costs Appropriations can hold it in committee. Its so sad when our lawmakers don’t take the time to understand an educational option that has been in place for over 40 years, yet they want to step in and mandate how it operates.
We urge you to share your opposition of this bill and the negative impact it would have on your program with the people listed. You may review a sample letter here.
Author:
Assemblywoman Anna Caballero
State Capitol, Room 5158
Sacramento, CA 95814
phone: (916) 319-2030
fax: (916) 319-2130
email: assemblymember.caballero@assembly.ca.gov
Here are the members of the Senate Education Committee:
Senator Ben Allen, Chair
State Capitol, Room 5072
phone: (916) 651-4026
fax: (916) 651-4926
senator.allen@senate.ca.gov
Senator Cathleen Galgiani
State Capitol, Room 5097
phone: (916) 651-4005
fax: (916) 651-4905
senator.galgiani@senate.ca.gov
Senator Connie Leyva
State Capitol, Room 4061
phone: (916) 651-4020
fax: (916) 651-4920
senator.leyva@senate.ca.gov
Senator Tony Mendoza
State Capitol, Room 5100
phone: (916) 651-4032
fax: (916) 651-4932
senator.mendoza@senate.ca.gov
Senator Richard Pan
State Capitol, Room 5114
phone: (916) 651-4006
fax: (916) 651-4906
senator.pan@senate.ca.gov
Senator Andy Vidak
State Capitol, Room 3082
phone: (916) 651-4014
fax: (916) 651-4914
senator.vidak@senate.ca.gov
Senator Scott Wilk
State Capitol, Room 4090
phone: (916) 651-4021
fax: (916) 651-4921
senator.wilk@senate.ca.gov