AB 279: School libraries: model library standards.

Existing law requires the State Board of Education to adopt standards, rules, and regulations for school library services. Existing law requires the Instructional Quality Commission, among other duties, to recommend the adoption of minimum standards for courses of study in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools to the state board upon request. Existing law requires the courses of study in public schools to conform to those minimum standards when adopted.

This bill would require, on or before July 1, 2028, and every 8 years thereafter, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in consultation with the state board, to consider convening a group of experts, as provided, to recommend revisions to the standards for school library services to the Instructional Quality Commission. The bill would require the commission to consider developing and recommending revisions to the standards based on the recommendations of the group of experts to the state board. The operation of the bill would be subject to an appropriation being made for its purposes in the annual Budget Act or another statute.