This bill calls for all of California’s public schools to offer a full day kindergarten program. Los Angeles Unified School District, the largest school district in the state, currently offers this program to its students and they have found that students who attend full day kindergarten enter 1st grade more prepared and experiencing more success.
AB 1896 (Pupil Achievement of Sequence of Courses Needed for UC Admission)
This bill is currently a spot bill (place holder, language needs to be changed) but it will be amended to require California high schools to offer the A-G sequence for courses required for admission to the University of California as the standard course of study for all California high school students. Completion of this sequence of required courses is a key criterion to students’ eligibility for college entrance. Some 90% of students entering California’s high schools expect to attend college. By graduation, that number has decreased to about 35%. Many studies have shown that too little is expected of students at the high school level. In addition, a high percentage of students who do not achieve the A-G sequence of courses are students of color. The bill allows for students and parents to petition the school for an alternative course of study, but the A-G curriculum, plus courses in physical education will become the major program that students would be expected to complete.
AB 1196 (State Seal of Bilingualism)
This bill would grant a Bilingual Certification to those high school students who have successfully completed current foreign language requirements. The State Seal of Bilingualism is given to those students whose Heritage language is other than English and have met certain requirements. Awarding the State Seal of Bilingualism will promote and honor bilingualism. One in four (26% of California’s children) speak a foreign language at home. This bill has been sponsored by CABE (California Association of Bilingual Educators).
AB 2434 (California High School Exit Exam Preparation)
This Bill would amend the sections of the Education Code to allow high school students to enroll concurrently in community college classes, including during the regular school day when a) they are in danger of not passing CAHSEE, b) down coursework needed for high school graduation, c) without passing an entrance exam in cases of a and b, above, d) to enroll in advanced classes beyond the high school curriculum, and e) to be able to transfer concurrent college level work to 2 year colleges and 4 year universities.
AB 1988 (ELL Staff Development)
This bill would reinstitute the former English Learner Institutes in altered format to provide professional development training to California public school educators. The bill intends to improve the original project’s effectiveness and offer significant opportunity for the success of California’s English Learner population in achieving language acquisition success and in passing the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). Eighty percent of California’s teachers teach over 1.6 million English Language Learners. The success of these students is critical.
AB 2248 (Reading First Extension)
This bill extends the Reading First Program, which is a focused nationwide effort to enable all students to become successful early readers. Funds are dedicated to help states and local school districts eliminate the reading deficit by establishing high-quality, comprehensive reading instruction in kindergarten through grade 3.
AB 1945 (Re-enrolling Juveniles in Health Care)
This bill would require that upon releasing a minor from a juvenile detention facility, the staff of the facility would check to determine if the minor had health insurance and if not, determine if the minor was eligible for needs-based health insurance programs and if qualified, ensure that the minor was enrolled. This effort would enable these minors to receive services for health related problems.
AB 1851 (Sunset for Healthy Families Program)
This bill extends existing law which established the Healthy Families Program. This program arranges for the provision of health services to eligible children. Existing law became inoperative on January 1, 2006.
AB 1895 (Surplus Property)
This bill is modeled after SB 1906 and it is designed to provide one school district in San Jose with the ability to use the proceeds from the sale of surplus real property for general fund expenditures. A similar provision was approved two years ago for Santa Clara Unified School District. During these difficult financial times, this provision allows the districts flexibility and offsets the reductions they have had to endure.
AB 1933 (Tax Expenditure Sunset and Review)
The bill would modify existing law and require the legislature to review all of the tax expenditures, as provided and repeal those tax expenditures that do not advance or serve public purpose anymore.
AB 2250 Mobilehome Park Inspection Program
This bill removes the 2007 sunset on HCD's Mobilehome Park Inspection Program (MPM) in order for the program to continue. The park inspection program is valuable to both park owners and residents. Responsible park owners work tirelessly to operate their communities in an efficient and legal manner, and strive to comply with all the health and safety statutes and Title 25 regulations.
AB 2641 Native American Sacred Sites
This bill will provide additional protection to Native American sacred sites. While federal law exists that protects Native American sacred burial sites in specific circumstances, AB 2641 will extend those protections to the state of California to ensure collective development goals while preserving sacred burial grounds in the state. This bill will protect cultural resources and preserve the dignity of Native Americans by establishing a process for meaningful consultations involving all interested and affected parties.
AB 2435 Santa Clara Valley Water District
The County of Santa Clara (County) and the Santa Clara Valley Water District (District) are jointly pursuing legislation to amend the District's enabling act. The District is an independent special district, first formed in 1929, that provides wholesale water supply, flood protection, groundwater and watershed management services to Santa Clara County. The District and the County collaboratively propose to amend the District Act to give the District board sole responsibility for approving the District budget.
AB 2654 Textbook Reselling
Current California law prevents school districts from selling used or obsolete textbooks if the textbooks will be resold. Amending Education Code Sections 60510 and 60511 would allow school districts to sell used textbooks to entities which are then able to resell the textbooks.
Concurrent Resolutions
ACR 114 (Task Force on Diabetes and Obesity)
Requests the establishment of a Task Force to study the factors contributing to the high rates of diabetes in the country and prepare a report of recommendations regarding ways to reduce the incidence of debilitating conditions.
Honors the work of Cesar Chavez and recognizes March 31, 2006 as the anniversary of his birth and calls upon all Californians to participate in appropriate observances.
