SB 612: Pupil instruction: high school graduation requirements: career technical education.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2025-04-10
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-02-02: Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.)
Introduced
In Committee
Awaiting First Chamber Vote
Passed First Chamber
In Committee
Awaiting Second Chamber Vote
Passed Second Chamber
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill requires a separate, stand‑alone one‑semester career technical education (CTE) course — a career‑focused vocational class — as a new high school graduation requirement for students graduating in the 2031–32 school year and prohibits combining that course with other classes. It also requires school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to offer that one‑semester CTE course in every high school starting in 2028–29, allows local agencies to instead require a full‑year CTE course, and makes the graduation requirement operative only if the Legislature funds it.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Existing law requires a pupil to complete designated coursework while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school. The coursework requirements include, among others, the completion of one course in visual or performing arts, foreign language, or career technical education. Existing law eliminates the authorization for career technical education to count toward that graduation requirement on July 1, 2027, or upon the occurrence of a specified event relating to career technical education requirements of the University of California and the California State University, whichever occurs earlier, as specified.
This bill, subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for this purpose, would delete the above-described authorization and instead would indefinitely require, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, the completion of a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that is prohibited from being combined with any other course, as a high school graduation requirement. The bill, subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for this purpose, would require school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools with pupil in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, to, commencing with the 202829 school year, offer a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that is prohibited from being combined with any other course. To the extent that the bill imposes new duties on school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Existing law requires a pupil to complete designated coursework while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school. The coursework requirements include, among others, the completion of one course in visual or performing arts, foreign language, or career technical education. Existing law eliminates the authorization for career technical education to count toward that graduation requirement on July 1, 2027, or upon the occurrence of a specified event relating to career technical education requirements of the University of California and the California State University, whichever occurs earlier, as specified.
This bill, subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for this purpose, would delete the above-described authorization and instead would indefinitely require, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, the completion of a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that is prohibited from being combined with any other course, as a high school graduation requirement. The bill, subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for this purpose, would require school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools with pupil in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, to, commencing with the 202829 school year, offer a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that is prohibited from being combined with any other course. To the extent that the bill imposes new duties on school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Existing law requires a pupil to complete designated coursework while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school. The coursework requirements include, among others, the completion of one course in visual or performing arts, foreign language, or career technical education. Existing law eliminates the authorization for career technical education to count toward that graduation requirement on July 1, 2027, or upon the occurrence of a specified event relating to career technical education requirements of the University of California and the California State University, whichever occurs earlier, as specified.
This bill, subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for this purpose, would delete the above-described authorization and instead would indefinitely require, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, the completion of a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that is prohibited from being combined with any other course, as a high school graduation requirement. The bill, subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for this purpose, would require school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools with pupil in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, to, commencing with the 202728 202829 school year, offer a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that is prohibited from being combined with any other course. To the extent that the bill imposes new duties on school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Existing law requires a pupil to complete designated coursework while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school. The coursework requirements include, among others, the completion of one course in visual or performing arts, foreign language, or career technical education. Existing law eliminates the authorization for career technical education to count toward that graduation requirement on July 1, 2027, or upon the occurrence of a specified event relating to career technical education requirements of the University of California and the California State University, whichever occurs earlier, as specified.
This bill, subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for this purpose, would delete the above-described authorization and instead would indefinitely require, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, the completion of a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that is prohibited from being combined with any other course, as a high school graduation requirement. The bill, subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for this purpose, would require school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools with pupil in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, to, commencing with the 202728 school year, offer a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that is prohibited from being combined with any other course. To the extent that the bill imposes new duties on school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
(a)A pupil shall complete all of the following while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school:
(1)At least the following numbers of courses in the subjects specified, each course having a duration of one year, unless otherwise specified:
(A)Three courses in English.
(B)Two courses in mathematics. If the governing board of a school district requires more than two courses in mathematics for graduation, the governing board of the school district may award a pupil up to one mathematics course credit pursuant to Section 51225.35.
(C)Two courses in science, including biological and physical sciences.
(D)Three courses in social studies, including United States history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics; and a one-semester course in economics.
(E)One course in visual or performing arts, world language, or, commencing with the 201213 school year, career technical education.
(i)For purposes of satisfying the requirement specified in this subparagraph, a course in American Sign Language shall be deemed a course in world language.
(ii)For purposes of this subparagraph, a course in career technical education means a course in a district-operated career technical education program that is aligned to the career technical model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the state board, including courses through a regional occupational center or program operated by a county superintendent of schools or pursuant to a joint powers agreement.
(iii)This subparagraph does not require a school or school district that currently does not offer career technical education courses to start new career technical education programs for purposes of this section.
(iv)If a school district or county office of education elects to allow a career technical education course to satisfy the requirement imposed by this subparagraph, the governing board of the school district or county office of education, before offering that alternative to pupils, shall notify parents, teachers, pupils, and the public at a regularly scheduled meeting of the governing board of all of the following:
(I)The intent to offer career technical education courses to fulfill the graduation requirement specified in this subparagraph.
(II)The impact that offering career technical education courses, pursuant to this subparagraph, will have on the availability of courses that meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University and the University of California, and whether the career technical education courses to be offered pursuant to this subparagraph are approved to satisfy those eligibility requirements. If a school district elects to allow a career technical education course to satisfy the requirement imposed by this subparagraph, the school district shall comply with subdivision (l) of Section 48980.
(III)The distinction, if any, between the high school graduation requirements of the school district or county office of education, and the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University and the University of California.
(v)If subparagraph (I) is operative, a course in career technical education may no longer be used to satisfy the requirement of this subparagraph and clauses (ii) to (iv), inclusive, shall be inoperative.
(F)Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been exempted pursuant to this code.
(G)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 202930 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a one-semester course in ethnic studies. A local educational agency, including a charter school, may require a full-year course in ethnic studies at its discretion. Commencing with the 202526 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer at least a one-semester course in ethnic studies.
(ii)Subject to the course offerings of a local educational agency, including a charter school, a pupil may fulfill the requirement of clause (i) through the completion of any of the following types of courses:
(I)A course based on the model curriculum developed pursuant to Section 51226.7.
(II)An existing ethnic studies course.
(III)An ethnic studies course taught as part of a course that has been approved as meeting the AG requirements of the University of California and the California State University.
(IV)A locally developed ethnic studies course approved by the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school. The proposed course shall first be presented at a public meeting of the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school, and shall not be approved until a subsequent public meeting of the governing board or governing body at which the public has had the opportunity to express its views on the proposed course.
(iii)A course that does not use ethnic studies content as the primary content through which the subject is taught shall not be used to satisfy the requirement of clause (i).
(iv)A pupil completing a course described in clause (ii) shall also accrue credit for coursework in the subject that the course is offered, including, if applicable, credit towards satisfying a course required for a diploma of graduation from high school pursuant to this section.
(v)Curriculum, instruction, and instructional materials for a course described in clause (ii) shall meet all of the following requirements:
(I)Be appropriate for use with pupils of all races, religions, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, and diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, pupils with disabilities, and English learners.
(II)Not reflect or promote, directly or indirectly, any bias, bigotry, or discrimination against any person or group of persons on the basis of any category protected by Section 220.
(III)Not teach or promote religious doctrine.
(vi)It is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies, including charter schools, consider that, pursuant to Section 51226.7, the Instructional Quality Commission undertook a lengthy, thorough, deliberative, and inclusive process before submitting a model curriculum in ethnic studies to the state board. To the extent that local educational agencies, including charter schools, choose to locally develop an ethnic studies program for approval by their governing board or governing body, it is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies not use the portions of the draft model curriculum that were not adopted by the Instructional Quality Commission due to concerns related to bias, bigotry, and discrimination.
(vii)The amendments made to this section by Section 1 of Chapter 661 of the Statutes of 2021 shall not be construed to alter any other requirement of this section for pupils enrolled in a charter school.
(H)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that shall not be combined with any other course.
(ii)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, a pupil who completes a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that is not combined with any other course, may elect to be exempt from the requirement to complete a one-semester course in economics pursuant to subparagraph (D).
(iii)(I)A local educational agency may elect to eliminate one or more locally required courses established pursuant to paragraph (2) in order to accommodate the requirement that pupils, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance.
(II)This clause does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law.
(iv)Commencing with the 202728 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer in all of its high schools at least a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that is not combined with any other course.
(v)To satisfy the requirement of this subparagraph, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance shall include information for pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, on all of, and only, the topics listed in paragraphs (1) to (13), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 51284.5.
(I)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that shall not be combined with any other course. A local educational agency, including a charter school, may require a separate, stand-alone full-year course in career technical education, that is not combined with any other course, at its discretion.
(ii)Commencing the 202829 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer in all of its high schools at least a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that is not combined with any other course.
(iii)(I)For purposes of this subparagraph, a course in career technical education means a course as described in subclause (II) or a course in a district-operated career technical education program that is aligned to the career technical model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the state board, including courses through a regional occupational center or program operated by a county superintendent of schools or pursuant to a joint powers agreement.(II)A course in career technical education includes a career technical education course offered at a community college pursuant to a partnership agreement between the local educational agency, including a charter school, and a community college district.
(iv)A local educational agency may elect to eliminate one or more locally required courses established pursuant to paragraph (2) in order to accommodate the requirement that pupils, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education.(v)This subparagraph shall become operative only upon appropriation by the Legislature for these purposes in the annual Budget Act or another statute.(2)(A)Other coursework requirements adopted by the governing board of the school district.
(B)The governing board of a school district may, at its discretion, adopt a policy to exempt pupils from any coursework requirements adopted pursuant to subparagraph (A). It is the intent of the Legislature that the policy include a consultation with the pupil and the educational rights holder for the pupil regarding any impact of not fulfilling locally required coursework on the pupils ability to gain admission to an institution of higher education.
(C)This paragraph does not affect a pupils rights pursuant to Section 51225.1 or 51225.31.
(b)The governing board, with the active involvement of parents, administrators, teachers, and pupils, shall adopt alternative means for pupils to complete the prescribed course of study that may include practical demonstration of skills and competencies, supervised work experience or other outside school experience, career technical education classes offered in high schools, courses offered by regional occupational centers or programs, interdisciplinary study, independent study, and credit earned at a postsecondary educational institution. Requirements for graduation and specified alternative modes for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made available to pupils, parents, and the public.
(c)On or before July 1, 2017, the department shall submit a comprehensive report to the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature on the addition of career technical education courses to satisfy the requirement specified in subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), including, but not limited to, the following information:
(1)A comparison of the pupil enrollment in career technical education courses, world language courses, and visual and performing arts courses for the 200506 to 201112 school years, inclusive, to the pupil enrollment in career technical education courses, world language courses, and visual and performing arts courses for the 201213 to 201617 school years, inclusive.
(2)The reasons, reported by school districts, that pupils give for choosing to enroll in a career technical education course to satisfy the requirement specified in subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).
(3)The type and number of career technical education courses that were conducted for the 200506 to 201112 school years, inclusive, compared to the type and number of career technical education courses that were conducted for the 201213 to 201617 school years, inclusive.
(4)The number of career technical education courses that satisfied the subject matter requirements for admission to the University of California or the California State University.
(5)The extent to which the career technical education courses chosen by pupils are aligned with the California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards, and prepare pupils for employment, advanced training, and postsecondary education.
(6)The number of career technical education courses that also satisfy the visual and performing arts requirement, and the number of career technical education courses that also satisfy the world language requirement.
(7)Annual pupil dropout and graduation rates for the 201112 to 201415 school years, inclusive.
(d)For purposes of completing the report described in subdivision (c), the Superintendent may use existing state resources and federal funds. If state or federal funds are not available or sufficient, the Superintendent may apply for and accept grants, and receive donations and other financial support from public or private sources for purposes of this section.
(e)For purposes of completing the report described in subdivision (c), the Superintendent may accept support, including, but not limited to, financial and technical support, from high school reform advocates, teachers, chamber organizations, industry representatives, research centers, parents, and pupils.
(f)The amendments made to this section by Section 1 of Chapter 661 of the Statutes of 2021 shall become operative only upon an appropriation of funds by the Legislature for purposes of those amendments in the annual Budget Act or another statute.
(g)This section shall become inoperative on the earlier of the following two dates:
(1)On July 1, immediately following the first fiscal year after the enactment of Chapter 621 of the Statutes of 2011 in which the number of career technical education courses that, as determined by the department, satisfy the world language requirement for admission to the California State University and the University of California is at least twice the number of career technical education courses that meet these admission requirements as of January 1, 2012. This section shall be repealed on the following January 1, unless a later enacted statute, that becomes operative on or before that date, deletes or extends the dates on which it becomes inoperative and is repealed. It is the intent of the Legislature that new career technical education courses that satisfy the world language requirement for admission to the California State University and the University of California focus on world languages aligned with career preparation, emphasizing real-world application and technical content in related career and technical education courses.
(2)On July 1, 2027, and, as of January 1, 2028, is repealed.
SEC. 2.Section 51225.3 of the Education Code, as amended by Section 2 of Chapter 560 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:51225.3.(a)A pupil shall complete all of the following while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school:
(1)At least the following numbers of courses in the subjects specified, each course having a duration of one year, unless otherwise specified:
(A)Three courses in English.
(B)Two courses in mathematics. If the governing board of a school district requires more than two courses in mathematics for graduation, the governing board of the school district may award a pupil up to one mathematics course credit pursuant to Section 51225.35.
(C)Two courses in science, including biological and physical sciences.
(D)Three courses in social studies, including United States history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics; and a one-semester course in economics.
(E)One course in visual or performing arts or world language. For purposes of satisfying the requirement specified in this subparagraph, a course in American Sign Language shall be deemed a course in world language.
(F)Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been exempted pursuant to this code.
(G)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 202930 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a one-semester course in ethnic studies. A local educational agency, including a charter school, may require a full-year course in ethnic studies at its discretion. Commencing with the 202526 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer at least a one-semester course in ethnic studies.
(ii)Subject to the course offerings of a local educational agency, including a charter school, a pupil may fulfill the requirement of clause (i) through the completion of any of the following types of courses:
(I)A course based on the model curriculum developed pursuant to Section 51226.7.
(II)An existing ethnic studies course.
(III)An ethnic studies course taught as part of a course that has been approved as meeting the AG requirements of the University of California and the California State University.
(IV)A locally developed ethnic studies course approved by the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school. The proposed course shall first be presented at a public meeting of the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school, and shall not be approved until a subsequent public meeting of the governing board or governing body at which the public has had the opportunity to express its views on the proposed course.
(iii)A course that does not use ethnic studies content as the primary content through which the subject is taught shall not be used to satisfy the requirement of clause (i).
(iv)A pupil completing a course described in clause (ii) shall also accrue credit for coursework in the subject that the course is offered, including, if applicable, credit towards satisfying a course required for a diploma of graduation from high school pursuant to this section.
(v)Curriculum, instruction, and instructional materials for a course described in clause (ii) shall meet all of the following requirements:
(I)Be appropriate for use with pupils of all races, religions, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, and diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, pupils with disabilities, and English learners.
(II)Not reflect or promote, directly or indirectly, any bias, bigotry, or discrimination against any person or group of persons on the basis of any category protected by Section 220.
(III)Not teach or promote religious doctrine.
(vi)It is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies, including charter schools, consider that, pursuant to Section 51226.7, the Instructional Quality Commission undertook a lengthy, thorough, deliberative, and inclusive process before submitting a model curriculum in ethnic studies to the state board. To the extent that local educational agencies, including charter schools, choose to locally develop an ethnic studies program for approval by their governing board or governing body, it is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies not use the portions of the draft model curriculum that were not adopted by the Instructional Quality Commission due to concerns related to bias, bigotry, and discrimination.
(vii)The amendments made to this section by Section 2 of Chapter 661 of the Statutes of 2021 shall not be construed to alter any other requirement of this section for pupils enrolled in a charter school.
(H)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that shall not be combined with any other course.
(ii)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, a pupil who completes a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that is not combined with any other course, may elect to be exempt from the requirement to complete a one-semester course in economics pursuant to subparagraph (D).
(iii)(I)A local educational agency may elect to eliminate one or more locally required courses established pursuant to paragraph (2) in order to accommodate the requirement that pupils, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance.
(II)This clause does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law.
(iv)Commencing with the 202728 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer in all of its high schools at least a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that is not combined with any other course.
(v)To satisfy the requirement of this subparagraph, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance shall include information for pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, on all of, and only, the topics listed in paragraphs (1) to (13), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 51284.5.
(I)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that shall not be combined with any other course. A local educational agency, including a charter school, may require a separate, stand-alone full-year course in career technical education, that is not combined with any other course, at its discretion.
(ii)Commencing the 202829 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer in all of its high schools at least a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that is not combined with any other course.
(iii)(I)For purposes of this subparagraph, a course in career technical education means a course as described in subclause (II) or a course in a district-operated career technical education program that is aligned to the career technical model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the state board, including courses through a regional occupational center or program operated by a county superintendent of schools or pursuant to a joint powers agreement.(II)A course in career technical education includes a career technical education course offered at a community college pursuant to a partnership agreement between the local educational agency, including a charter school, and a community college district.
(iv)A local educational agency may elect to eliminate one or more locally required courses established pursuant to paragraph (2) in order to accommodate the requirement that pupils, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education.(v)This subparagraph shall become operative only upon appropriation by the Legislature for these purposes in the annual Budget Act or another statute.(2)(A)Other coursework requirements adopted by the governing board of the school district.
(B)The governing board of a school district may, at its discretion, adopt a policy to exempt pupils from any coursework requirements adopted pursuant to subparagraph (A). It is the intent of the Legislature that the policy include a consultation with the pupil and the educational rights holder for the pupil regarding any impact of not fulfilling locally required coursework on the pupils ability to gain admission to an institution of higher education.
(C)This paragraph does not affect a pupils rights pursuant to Section 51225.1 or 51225.31.
(b)The governing board, with the active involvement of parents, administrators, teachers, and pupils, shall adopt alternative means for pupils to complete the prescribed course of study that may include practical demonstration of skills and competencies, supervised work experience or other outside school experience, career technical education classes offered in high schools, courses offered by regional occupational centers or programs, interdisciplinary study, independent study, and credit earned at a postsecondary educational institution. Requirements for graduation and specified alternative modes for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made available to pupils, parents, and the public.
(c)If a pupil completed a career technical education course that met the requirements of subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 51225.3, as amended by Section 3 of Chapter 621 of the Statutes of 2011, before the inoperative date of that section, that course shall be deemed to fulfill the requirements of subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of this section.
(d)The amendments made to this section by Section 2 of Chapter 661 of the Statutes of 2021 shall become operative only upon an appropriation of funds by the Legislature for purposes of those amendments in the annual Budget Act or another statute.
(e)This section shall become operative upon the date that Section 51225.3, as amended by Section 35 of Chapter 571 of the Statutes of 2022, becomes inoperative.
SEC. 3.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(a)A pupil shall complete all of the following while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school:
(1)At least the following numbers of courses in the subjects specified, each course having a duration of one year, unless otherwise specified:
(A)Three courses in English.
(B)Two courses in mathematics. If the governing board of a school district requires more than two courses in mathematics for graduation, the governing board of the school district may award a pupil up to one mathematics course credit pursuant to Section 51225.35.
(C)Two courses in science, including biological and physical sciences.
(D)Three courses in social studies, including United States history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics; and a one-semester course in economics.
(E)One course in visual or performing arts, world language, or, commencing with the 201213 school year, career technical education.
(i)For purposes of satisfying the requirement specified in this subparagraph, a course in American Sign Language shall be deemed a course in world language.
(ii)For purposes of this subparagraph, a course in career technical education means a course in a district-operated career technical education program that is aligned to the career technical model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the state board, including courses through a regional occupational center or program operated by a county superintendent of schools or pursuant to a joint powers agreement.
(iii)This subparagraph does not require a school or school district that currently does not offer career technical education courses to start new career technical education programs for purposes of this section.
(iv)If a school district or county office of education elects to allow a career technical education course to satisfy the requirement imposed by this subparagraph, the governing board of the school district or county office of education, before offering that alternative to pupils, shall notify parents, teachers, pupils, and the public at a regularly scheduled meeting of the governing board of all of the following:
(I)The intent to offer career technical education courses to fulfill the graduation requirement specified in this subparagraph.
(II)The impact that offering career technical education courses, pursuant to this subparagraph, will have on the availability of courses that meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University and the University of California, and whether the career technical education courses to be offered pursuant to this subparagraph are approved to satisfy those eligibility requirements. If a school district elects to allow a career technical education course to satisfy the requirement imposed by this subparagraph, the school district shall comply with subdivision (l) of Section 48980.
(III)The distinction, if any, between the high school graduation requirements of the school district or county office of education, and the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University and the University of California.
(v)If subparagraph (I) is operative, a course in career technical education may no longer be used to satisfy the requirement of this subparagraph and clauses (ii) to (iv), inclusive, shall be inoperative.
(F)Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been exempted pursuant to this code.
(G)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 202930 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a one-semester course in ethnic studies. A local educational agency, including a charter school, may require a full-year course in ethnic studies at its discretion. Commencing with the 202526 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer at least a one-semester course in ethnic studies.
(ii)Subject to the course offerings of a local educational agency, including a charter school, a pupil may fulfill the requirement of clause (i) through the completion of any of the following types of courses:
(I)A course based on the model curriculum developed pursuant to Section 51226.7.
(II)An existing ethnic studies course.
(III)An ethnic studies course taught as part of a course that has been approved as meeting the AG requirements of the University of California and the California State University.
(IV)A locally developed ethnic studies course approved by the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school. The proposed course shall first be presented at a public meeting of the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school, and shall not be approved until a subsequent public meeting of the governing board or governing body at which the public has had the opportunity to express its views on the proposed course.
(iii)A course that does not use ethnic studies content as the primary content through which the subject is taught shall not be used to satisfy the requirement of clause (i).
(iv)A pupil completing a course described in clause (ii) shall also accrue credit for coursework in the subject that the course is offered, including, if applicable, credit towards satisfying a course required for a diploma of graduation from high school pursuant to this section.
(v)Curriculum, instruction, and instructional materials for a course described in clause (ii) shall meet all of the following requirements:
(I)Be appropriate for use with pupils of all races, religions, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, and diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, pupils with disabilities, and English learners.
(II)Not reflect or promote, directly or indirectly, any bias, bigotry, or discrimination against any person or group of persons on the basis of any category protected by Section 220.
(III)Not teach or promote religious doctrine.
(vi)It is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies, including charter schools, consider that, pursuant to Section 51226.7, the Instructional Quality Commission undertook a lengthy, thorough, deliberative, and inclusive process before submitting a model curriculum in ethnic studies to the state board. To the extent that local educational agencies, including charter schools, choose to locally develop an ethnic studies program for approval by their governing board or governing body, it is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies not use the portions of the draft model curriculum that were not adopted by the Instructional Quality Commission due to concerns related to bias, bigotry, and discrimination.
(vii)The amendments made to this section by Section 1 of Chapter 661 of the Statutes of 2021 shall not be construed to alter any other requirement of this section for pupils enrolled in a charter school.
(H)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that shall not be combined with any other course.
(ii)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, a pupil who completes a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that is not combined with any other course, may elect to be exempt from the requirement to complete a one-semester course in economics pursuant to subparagraph (D).
(iii)(I)A local educational agency may elect to eliminate one or more locally required courses established pursuant to paragraph (2) in order to accommodate the requirement that pupils, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance.
(II)This clause does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law.
(iv)Commencing with the 202728 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer in all of its high schools at least a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that is not combined with any other course.
(v)To satisfy the requirement of this subparagraph, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance shall include information for pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, on all of, and only, the topics listed in paragraphs (1) to (13), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 51284.5.
(I)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that shall not be combined with any other course.
(ii)Commencing the 202829 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer in all of its high schools at least a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that is not combined with any other course.
(iii)(I)For purposes of this subparagraph, a course in career technical education means a course as described in subclause (II) or a course in a district-operated career technical education program that is aligned to the career technical model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the state board, including courses through a regional occupational center or program operated by a county superintendent of schools or pursuant to a joint powers agreement.
(II)A course in career technical education includes a career technical education course offered at a community college pursuant to a partnership agreement between the local educational agency, including a charter school, and a community college district.
(iv)A local educational agency may elect to eliminate one or more locally required courses established pursuant to paragraph (2) in order to accommodate the requirement that pupils, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education.
(v)This subparagraph shall become operative only upon appropriation by the Legislature for these purposes in the annual Budget Act or another statute.
(2)(A)Other coursework requirements adopted by the governing board of the school district.
(B)The governing board of a school district may, at its discretion, adopt a policy to exempt pupils from any coursework requirements adopted pursuant to subparagraph (A). It is the intent of the Legislature that the policy include a consultation with the pupil and the educational rights holder for the pupil regarding any impact of not fulfilling locally required coursework on the pupils ability to gain admission to an institution of higher education.
(C)This paragraph does not affect a pupils rights pursuant to Section 51225.1 or 51225.31.
(b)The governing board, with the active involvement of parents, administrators, teachers, and pupils, shall adopt alternative means for pupils to complete the prescribed course of study that may include practical demonstration of skills and competencies, supervised work experience or other outside school experience, career technical education classes offered in high schools, courses offered by regional occupational centers or programs, interdisciplinary study, independent study, and credit earned at a postsecondary educational institution. Requirements for graduation and specified alternative modes for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made available to pupils, parents, and the public.
(c)On or before July 1, 2017, the department shall submit a comprehensive report to the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature on the addition of career technical education courses to satisfy the requirement specified in subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), including, but not limited to, the following information:
(1)A comparison of the pupil enrollment in career technical education courses, world language courses, and visual and performing arts courses for the 200506 to 201112 school years, inclusive, to the pupil enrollment in career technical education courses, world language courses, and visual and performing arts courses for the 201213 to 201617 school years, inclusive.
(2)The reasons, reported by school districts, that pupils give for choosing to enroll in a career technical education course to satisfy the requirement specified in subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).
(3)The type and number of career technical education courses that were conducted for the 200506 to 201112 school years, inclusive, compared to the type and number of career technical education courses that were conducted for the 201213 to 201617 school years, inclusive.
(4)The number of career technical education courses that satisfied the subject matter requirements for admission to the University of California or the California State University.
(5)The extent to which the career technical education courses chosen by pupils are aligned with the California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards, and prepare pupils for employment, advanced training, and postsecondary education.
(6)The number of career technical education courses that also satisfy the visual and performing arts requirement, and the number of career technical education courses that also satisfy the world language requirement.
(7)Annual pupil dropout and graduation rates for the 201112 to 201415 school years, inclusive.
(d)For purposes of completing the report described in subdivision (c), the Superintendent may use existing state resources and federal funds. If state or federal funds are not available or sufficient, the Superintendent may apply for and accept grants, and receive donations and other financial support from public or private sources for purposes of this section.
(e)For purposes of completing the report described in subdivision (c), the Superintendent may accept support, including, but not limited to, financial and technical support, from high school reform advocates, teachers, chamber organizations, industry representatives, research centers, parents, and pupils.
(f)The amendments made to this section by Section 1 of Chapter 661 of the Statutes of 2021 shall become operative only upon an appropriation of funds by the Legislature for purposes of those amendments in the annual Budget Act or another statute.
(g)This section shall become inoperative on the earlier of the following two dates:
(1)On July 1, immediately following the first fiscal year after the enactment of Chapter 621 of the Statutes of 2011 in which the number of career technical education courses that, as determined by the department, satisfy the world language requirement for admission to the California State University and the University of California is at least twice the number of career technical education courses that meet these admission requirements as of January 1, 2012. This section shall be repealed on the following January 1, unless a later enacted statute, that becomes operative on or before that date, deletes or extends the dates on which it becomes inoperative and is repealed. It is the intent of the Legislature that new career technical education courses that satisfy the world language requirement for admission to the California State University and the University of California focus on world languages aligned with career preparation, emphasizing real-world application and technical content in related career and technical education courses.
(2)On July 1, 2027, and, as of January 1, 2028, is repealed.
SEC. 2.Section 51225.3 of the Education Code, as amended by Section 2 of Chapter 560 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:51225.3.(a)A pupil shall complete all of the following while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school:
(1)At least the following numbers of courses in the subjects specified, each course having a duration of one year, unless otherwise specified:
(A)Three courses in English.
(B)Two courses in mathematics. If the governing board of a school district requires more than two courses in mathematics for graduation, the governing board of the school district may award a pupil up to one mathematics course credit pursuant to Section 51225.35.
(C)Two courses in science, including biological and physical sciences.
(D)Three courses in social studies, including United States history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics; and a one-semester course in economics.
(E)One course in visual or performing arts or world language. For purposes of satisfying the requirement specified in this subparagraph, a course in American Sign Language shall be deemed a course in world language.
(F)Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been exempted pursuant to this code.
(G)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 202930 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a one-semester course in ethnic studies. A local educational agency, including a charter school, may require a full-year course in ethnic studies at its discretion. Commencing with the 202526 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer at least a one-semester course in ethnic studies.
(ii)Subject to the course offerings of a local educational agency, including a charter school, a pupil may fulfill the requirement of clause (i) through the completion of any of the following types of courses:
(I)A course based on the model curriculum developed pursuant to Section 51226.7.
(II)An existing ethnic studies course.
(III)An ethnic studies course taught as part of a course that has been approved as meeting the AG requirements of the University of California and the California State University.
(IV)A locally developed ethnic studies course approved by the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school. The proposed course shall first be presented at a public meeting of the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school, and shall not be approved until a subsequent public meeting of the governing board or governing body at which the public has had the opportunity to express its views on the proposed course.
(iii)A course that does not use ethnic studies content as the primary content through which the subject is taught shall not be used to satisfy the requirement of clause (i).
(iv)A pupil completing a course described in clause (ii) shall also accrue credit for coursework in the subject that the course is offered, including, if applicable, credit towards satisfying a course required for a diploma of graduation from high school pursuant to this section.
(v)Curriculum, instruction, and instructional materials for a course described in clause (ii) shall meet all of the following requirements:
(I)Be appropriate for use with pupils of all races, religions, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, and diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, pupils with disabilities, and English learners.
(II)Not reflect or promote, directly or indirectly, any bias, bigotry, or discrimination against any person or group of persons on the basis of any category protected by Section 220.
(III)Not teach or promote religious doctrine.
(vi)It is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies, including charter schools, consider that, pursuant to Section 51226.7, the Instructional Quality Commission undertook a lengthy, thorough, deliberative, and inclusive process before submitting a model curriculum in ethnic studies to the state board. To the extent that local educational agencies, including charter schools, choose to locally develop an ethnic studies program for approval by their governing board or governing body, it is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies not use the portions of the draft model curriculum that were not adopted by the Instructional Quality Commission due to concerns related to bias, bigotry, and discrimination.
(vii)The amendments made to this section by Section 2 of Chapter 661 of the Statutes of 2021 shall not be construed to alter any other requirement of this section for pupils enrolled in a charter school.
(H)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that shall not be combined with any other course.
(ii)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, a pupil who completes a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that is not combined with any other course, may elect to be exempt from the requirement to complete a one-semester course in economics pursuant to subparagraph (D).
(iii)(I)A local educational agency may elect to eliminate one or more locally required courses established pursuant to paragraph (2) in order to accommodate the requirement that pupils, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance.
(II)This clause does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law.
(iv)Commencing with the 202728 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer in all of its high schools at least a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that is not combined with any other course.
(v)To satisfy the requirement of this subparagraph, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance shall include information for pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, on all of, and only, the topics listed in paragraphs (1) to (13), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 51284.5.
(I)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that shall not be combined with any other course.
(ii)Commencing the 202829 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer in all of its high schools at least a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that is not combined with any other course.
(iii)(I)For purposes of this subparagraph, a course in career technical education means a course as described in subclause (II) or a course in a district-operated career technical education program that is aligned to the career technical model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the state board, including courses through a regional occupational center or program operated by a county superintendent of schools or pursuant to a joint powers agreement.
(II)A course in career technical education includes a career technical education course offered at a community college pursuant to a partnership agreement between the local educational agency, including a charter school, and a community college district.
(iv)A local educational agency may elect to eliminate one or more locally required courses established pursuant to paragraph (2) in order to accommodate the requirement that pupils, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education.
(v)This subparagraph shall become operative only upon appropriation by the Legislature for these purposes in the annual Budget Act or another statute.
(2)(A)Other coursework requirements adopted by the governing board of the school district.
(B)The governing board of a school district may, at its discretion, adopt a policy to exempt pupils from any coursework requirements adopted pursuant to subparagraph (A). It is the intent of the Legislature that the policy include a consultation with the pupil and the educational rights holder for the pupil regarding any impact of not fulfilling locally required coursework on the pupils ability to gain admission to an institution of higher education.
(C)This paragraph does not affect a pupils rights pursuant to Section 51225.1 or 51225.31.
(b)The governing board, with the active involvement of parents, administrators, teachers, and pupils, shall adopt alternative means for pupils to complete the prescribed course of study that may include practical demonstration of skills and competencies, supervised work experience or other outside school experience, career technical education classes offered in high schools, courses offered by regional occupational centers or programs, interdisciplinary study, independent study, and credit earned at a postsecondary educational institution. Requirements for graduation and specified alternative modes for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made available to pupils, parents, and the public.
(c)If a pupil completed a career technical education course that met the requirements of subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 51225.3, as amended by Section 3 of Chapter 621 of the Statutes of 2011, before the inoperative date of that section, that course shall be deemed to fulfill the requirements of subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of this section.
(d)The amendments made to this section by Section 2 of Chapter 661 of the Statutes of 2021 shall become operative only upon an appropriation of funds by the Legislature for purposes of those amendments in the annual Budget Act or another statute.
(e)This section shall become operative upon the date that Section 51225.3, as amended by Section 35 of Chapter 571 of the Statutes of 2022, becomes inoperative.
SEC. 3.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(a)A pupil shall complete all of the following while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school:
(1)At least the following numbers of courses in the subjects specified, each course having a duration of one year, unless otherwise specified:
(A)Three courses in English.
(B)Two courses in mathematics. If the governing board of a school district requires more than two courses in mathematics for graduation, the governing board of the school district may award a pupil up to one mathematics course credit pursuant to Section 51225.35.
(C)Two courses in science, including biological and physical sciences.
(D)Three courses in social studies, including United States history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics; and a one-semester course in economics.
(E)One course in visual or performing arts, world language, or, commencing with the 201213 school year, career technical education.
(i)For purposes of satisfying the requirement specified in this subparagraph, a course in American Sign Language shall be deemed a course in world language.
(ii)For purposes of this subparagraph, a course in career technical education means a course in a district-operated career technical education program that is aligned to the career technical model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the state board, including courses through a regional occupational center or program operated by a county superintendent of schools or pursuant to a joint powers agreement.
(iii)This subparagraph does not require a school or school district that currently does not offer career technical education courses to start new career technical education programs for purposes of this section.
(iv)If a school district or county office of education elects to allow a career technical education course to satisfy the requirement imposed by this subparagraph, the governing board of the school district or county office of education, before offering that alternative to pupils, shall notify parents, teachers, pupils, and the public at a regularly scheduled meeting of the governing board of all of the following:
(I)The intent to offer career technical education courses to fulfill the graduation requirement specified in this subparagraph.
(II)The impact that offering career technical education courses, pursuant to this subparagraph, will have on the availability of courses that meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University and the University of California, and whether the career technical education courses to be offered pursuant to this subparagraph are approved to satisfy those eligibility requirements. If a school district elects to allow a career technical education course to satisfy the requirement imposed by this subparagraph, the school district shall comply with subdivision (l) of Section 48980.
(III)The distinction, if any, between the high school graduation requirements of the school district or county office of education, and the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University and the University of California.
(v)If subparagraph (I) is operative, a course in career technical education may no longer be used to satisfy the requirement of this subparagraph and clauses (ii) to (iv), inclusive, shall be inoperative.
(F)Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been exempted pursuant to this code.
(G)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 202930 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a one-semester course in ethnic studies. A local educational agency, including a charter school, may require a full-year course in ethnic studies at its discretion. Commencing with the 202526 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer at least a one-semester course in ethnic studies.
(ii)Subject to the course offerings of a local educational agency, including a charter school, a pupil may fulfill the requirement of clause (i) through the completion of any of the following types of courses:
(I)A course based on the model curriculum developed pursuant to Section 51226.7.
(II)An existing ethnic studies course.
(III)An ethnic studies course taught as part of a course that has been approved as meeting the AG requirements of the University of California and the California State University.
(IV)A locally developed ethnic studies course approved by the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school. The proposed course shall first be presented at a public meeting of the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school, and shall not be approved until a subsequent public meeting of the governing board or governing body at which the public has had the opportunity to express its views on the proposed course.
(iii)A course that does not use ethnic studies content as the primary content through which the subject is taught shall not be used to satisfy the requirement of clause (i).
(iv)A pupil completing a course described in clause (ii) shall also accrue credit for coursework in the subject that the course is offered, including, if applicable, credit towards satisfying a course required for a diploma of graduation from high school pursuant to this section.
(v)Curriculum, instruction, and instructional materials for a course described in clause (ii) shall meet all of the following requirements:
(I)Be appropriate for use with pupils of all races, religions, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, and diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, pupils with disabilities, and English learners.
(II)Not reflect or promote, directly or indirectly, any bias, bigotry, or discrimination against any person or group of persons on the basis of any category protected by Section 220.
(III)Not teach or promote religious doctrine.
(vi)It is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies, including charter schools, consider that, pursuant to Section 51226.7, the Instructional Quality Commission undertook a lengthy, thorough, deliberative, and inclusive process before submitting a model curriculum in ethnic studies to the state board. To the extent that local educational agencies, including charter schools, choose to locally develop an ethnic studies program for approval by their governing board or governing body, it is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies not use the portions of the draft model curriculum that were not adopted by the Instructional Quality Commission due to concerns related to bias, bigotry, and discrimination.
(vii)The amendments made to this section by Section 1 of Chapter 661 of the Statutes of 2021 shall not be construed to alter any other requirement of this section for pupils enrolled in a charter school.
(H)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that shall not be combined with any other course.
(ii)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, a pupil who completes a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that is not combined with any other course, may elect to be exempt from the requirement to complete a one-semester course in economics pursuant to subparagraph (D).
(iii)(I)A local educational agency may elect to eliminate one or more locally required courses established pursuant to paragraph (2) in order to accommodate the requirement that pupils, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance.
(II)This clause does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law.
(iv)Commencing with the 202728 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer in all of its high schools at least a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that is not combined with any other course.
(v)To satisfy the requirement of this subparagraph, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance shall include information for pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, on all of, and only, the topics listed in paragraphs (1) to (13), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 51284.5.
(I)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that shall not be combined with any other course.
(ii)Commencing the 202829 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer in all of its high schools at least a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that is not combined with any other course.
(iii)For purposes of this subparagraph, a course in career technical education means a course in a district-operated career technical education program that is aligned to the career technical model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the state board, including courses through a regional occupational center or program operated by a county superintendent of schools or pursuant to a joint powers agreement.
(iv)A local educational agency may elect to eliminate one or more locally required courses established pursuant to paragraph (2) in order to accommodate the requirement that pupils, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education.
(v)This subparagraph shall become operative only upon appropriation by the Legislature for these purposes in the annual Budget Act or another statute.
(2)(A)Other coursework requirements adopted by the governing board of the school district.
(B)The governing board of a school district may, at its discretion, adopt a policy to exempt pupils from any coursework requirements adopted pursuant to subparagraph (A). It is the intent of the Legislature that the policy include a consultation with the pupil and the educational rights holder for the pupil regarding any impact of not fulfilling locally required coursework on the pupils ability to gain admission to an institution of higher education.
(C)This paragraph does not affect a pupils rights pursuant to Section 51225.1 or 51225.31.
(b)The governing board, with the active involvement of parents, administrators, teachers, and pupils, shall adopt alternative means for pupils to complete the prescribed course of study that may include practical demonstration of skills and competencies, supervised work experience or other outside school experience, career technical education classes offered in high schools, courses offered by regional occupational centers or programs, interdisciplinary study, independent study, and credit earned at a postsecondary educational institution. Requirements for graduation and specified alternative modes for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made available to pupils, parents, and the public.
(c)On or before July 1, 2017, the department shall submit a comprehensive report to the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature on the addition of career technical education courses to satisfy the requirement specified in subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), including, but not limited to, the following information:
(1)A comparison of the pupil enrollment in career technical education courses, world language courses, and visual and performing arts courses for the 200506 to 201112 school years, inclusive, to the pupil enrollment in career technical education courses, world language courses, and visual and performing arts courses for the 201213 to 201617 school years, inclusive.
(2)The reasons, reported by school districts, that pupils give for choosing to enroll in a career technical education course to satisfy the requirement specified in subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).
(3)The type and number of career technical education courses that were conducted for the 200506 to 201112 school years, inclusive, compared to the type and number of career technical education courses that were conducted for the 201213 to 201617 school years, inclusive.
(4)The number of career technical education courses that satisfied the subject matter requirements for admission to the University of California or the California State University.
(5)The extent to which the career technical education courses chosen by pupils are aligned with the California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards, and prepare pupils for employment, advanced training, and postsecondary education.
(6)The number of career technical education courses that also satisfy the visual and performing arts requirement, and the number of career technical education courses that also satisfy the world language requirement.
(7)Annual pupil dropout and graduation rates for the 201112 to 201415 school years, inclusive.
(d)For purposes of completing the report described in subdivision (c), the Superintendent may use existing state resources and federal funds. If state or federal funds are not available or sufficient, the Superintendent may apply for and accept grants, and receive donations and other financial support from public or private sources for purposes of this section.
(e)For purposes of completing the report described in subdivision (c), the Superintendent may accept support, including, but not limited to, financial and technical support, from high school reform advocates, teachers, chamber organizations, industry representatives, research centers, parents, and pupils.
(f)The amendments made to this section by Section 1 of Chapter 661 of the Statutes of 2021 shall become operative only upon an appropriation of funds by the Legislature for purposes of these those amendments in the annual Budget Act or another statute.
(g)This section shall become inoperative on the earlier of the following two dates:
(1)On July 1, immediately following the first fiscal year after the enactment of Chapter 621 of the Statutes of 2011 in which the number of career technical education courses that, as determined by the department, satisfy the world language requirement for admission to the California State University and the University of California is at least twice the number of career technical education courses that meet these admission requirements as of January 1, 2012. This section shall be repealed on the following January 1, unless a later enacted statute, that becomes operative on or before that date, deletes or extends the dates on which it becomes inoperative and is repealed. It is the intent of the Legislature that new career technical education courses that satisfy the world language requirement for admission to the California State University and the University of California focus on world languages aligned with career preparation, emphasizing real-world application and technical content in related career and technical education courses.
(2)On July 1, 2027, and, as of January 1, 2028, is repealed.
SEC. 2.Section 51225.3 of the Education Code, as amended by Section 2 of Chapter 560 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:51225.3.(a)A pupil shall complete all of the following while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school:
(1)At least the following numbers of courses in the subjects specified, each course having a duration of one year, unless otherwise specified:
(A)Three courses in English.
(B)Two courses in mathematics. If the governing board of a school district requires more than two courses in mathematics for graduation, the governing board of the school district may award a pupil up to one mathematics course credit pursuant to Section 51225.35.
(C)Two courses in science, including biological and physical sciences.
(D)Three courses in social studies, including United States history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics; and a one-semester course in economics.
(E)One course in visual or performing arts or world language. For purposes of satisfying the requirement specified in this subparagraph, a course in American Sign Language shall be deemed a course in world language.
(F)Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been exempted pursuant to this code.
(G)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 202930 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a one-semester course in ethnic studies. A local educational agency, including a charter school, may require a full-year course in ethnic studies at its discretion. Commencing with the 202526 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer at least a one-semester course in ethnic studies.
(ii)Subject to the course offerings of a local educational agency, including a charter school, a pupil may fulfill the requirement of clause (i) through the completion of any of the following types of courses:
(I)A course based on the model curriculum developed pursuant to Section 51226.7.
(II)An existing ethnic studies course.
(III)An ethnic studies course taught as part of a course that has been approved as meeting the AG requirements of the University of California and the California State University.
(IV)A locally developed ethnic studies course approved by the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school. The proposed course shall first be presented at a public meeting of the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school, and shall not be approved until a subsequent public meeting of the governing board or governing body at which the public has had the opportunity to express its views on the proposed course.
(iii)A course that does not use ethnic studies content as the primary content through which the subject is taught shall not be used to satisfy the requirement of clause (i).
(iv)A pupil completing a course described in clause (ii) shall also accrue credit for coursework in the subject that the course is offered, including, if applicable, credit towards satisfying a course required for a diploma of graduation from high school pursuant to this section.
(v)Curriculum, instruction, and instructional materials for a course described in clause (ii) shall meet all of the following requirements:
(I)Be appropriate for use with pupils of all races, religions, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, and diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, pupils with disabilities, and English learners.
(II)Not reflect or promote, directly or indirectly, any bias, bigotry, or discrimination against any person or group of persons on the basis of any category protected by Section 220.
(III)Not teach or promote religious doctrine.
(vi)It is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies, including charter schools, consider that, pursuant to Section 51226.7, the Instructional Quality Commission undertook a lengthy, thorough, deliberative, and inclusive process before submitting a model curriculum in ethnic studies to the state board. To the extent that local educational agencies, including charter schools, choose to locally develop an ethnic studies program for approval by their governing board or governing body, it is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies not use the portions of the draft model curriculum that were not adopted by the Instructional Quality Commission due to concerns related to bias, bigotry, and discrimination.
(vii)The amendments made to this section by Section 2 of Chapter 661 of the Statutes of 2021 shall not be construed to alter any other requirement of this section for pupils enrolled in a charter school.
(H)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that shall not be combined with any other course.
(ii)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, a pupil who completes a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that is not combined with any other course, may elect to be exempt from the requirement to complete a one-semester course in economics pursuant to subparagraph (D).
(iii)(I)A local educational agency may elect to eliminate one or more locally required courses established pursuant to paragraph (2) in order to accommodate the requirement that pupils, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance.
(II)This clause does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law.
(iv)Commencing with the 202728 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer in all of its high schools at least a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that is not combined with any other course.
(v)To satisfy the requirement of this subparagraph, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance shall include information for pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, on all of, and only, the topics listed in paragraphs (1) to (13), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 51284.5.
(I)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that shall not be combined with any other course.
(ii)Commencing the 202829 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer in all of its high schools at least a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that is not combined with any other course.
(iii)For purposes of this subparagraph, a course in career technical education means a course in a district-operated career technical education program that is aligned to the career technical model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the state board, including courses through a regional occupational center or program operated by a county superintendent of schools or pursuant to a joint powers agreement.
(iv)A local educational agency may elect to eliminate one or more locally required courses established pursuant to paragraph (2) in order to accommodate the requirement that pupils, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education.
(v)This subparagraph shall become operative only upon appropriation by the Legislature for these purposes in the annual Budget Act or another statute.
(2)(A)Other coursework requirements adopted by the governing board of the school district.
(B)The governing board of a school district may, at its discretion, adopt a policy to exempt pupils from any coursework requirements adopted pursuant to subparagraph (A). It is the intent of the Legislature that the policy include a consultation with the pupil and the educational rights holder for the pupil regarding any impact of not fulfilling locally required coursework on the pupils ability to gain admission to an institution of higher education.
(C)This paragraph does not affect a pupils rights pursuant to Section 51225.1 or 51225.31.
(b)The governing board, with the active involvement of parents, administrators, teachers, and pupils, shall adopt alternative means for pupils to complete the prescribed course of study that may include practical demonstration of skills and competencies, supervised work experience or other outside school experience, career technical education classes offered in high schools, courses offered by regional occupational centers or programs, interdisciplinary study, independent study, and credit earned at a postsecondary educational institution. Requirements for graduation and specified alternative modes for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made available to pupils, parents, and the public.
(c)If a pupil completed a career technical education course that met the requirements of subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 51225.3, as amended by Section 3 of Chapter 621 of the Statutes of 2011, before the inoperative date of that section, that course shall be deemed to fulfill the requirements of subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of this section.
(d)The amendments made to this section by Section 2 of Chapter 661 of the Statutes of 2021 shall become operative only upon an appropriation of funds by the Legislature for purposes of these those amendments in the annual Budget Act or another statute.
(e)This section shall become operative upon the date that Section 51225.3, as amended by Section 35 of Chapter 571 of the Statutes of 2022, becomes inoperative.
SEC. 3.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(a)A pupil shall complete all of the following while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school:
(1)At least the following numbers of courses in the subjects specified, each course having a duration of one year, unless otherwise specified:
(A)Three courses in English.
(B)Two courses in mathematics. If the governing board of a school district requires more than two courses in mathematics for graduation, the governing board of the school district may award a pupil up to one mathematics course credit pursuant to Section 51225.35.
(C)Two courses in science, including biological and physical sciences.
(D)Three courses in social studies, including United States history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics; and a one-semester course in economics.
(E)One course in visual or performing arts, world language, or, commencing with the 201213 school year, career technical education.
(i)For purposes of satisfying the requirement specified in this subparagraph, a course in American Sign Language shall be deemed a course in world language.
(ii)For purposes of this subparagraph, a course in career technical education means a course in a district-operated career technical education program that is aligned to the career technical model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the state board, including courses through a regional occupational center or program operated by a county superintendent of schools or pursuant to a joint powers agreement.
(iii)This subparagraph does not require a school or school district that currently does not offer career technical education courses to start new career technical education programs for purposes of this section.
(iv)If a school district or county office of education elects to allow a career technical education course to satisfy the requirement imposed by this subparagraph, the governing board of the school district or county office of education, before offering that alternative to pupils, shall notify parents, teachers, pupils, and the public at a regularly scheduled meeting of the governing board of all of the following:
(I)The intent to offer career technical education courses to fulfill the graduation requirement specified in this subparagraph.
(II)The impact that offering career technical education courses, pursuant to this subparagraph, will have on the availability of courses that meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University and the University of California, and whether the career technical education courses to be offered pursuant to this subparagraph are approved to satisfy those eligibility requirements. If a school district elects to allow a career technical education course to satisfy the requirement imposed by this subparagraph, the school district shall comply with subdivision (l) of Section 48980.
(III)The distinction, if any, between the high school graduation requirements of the school district or county office of education, and the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University and the University of California.
(v)If subparagraph (I) is operative, a course in career technical education may no longer be used to satisfy the requirement of this subparagraph and clauses (ii) to (iv), inclusive, shall be inoperative.
(F)Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been exempted pursuant to this code.
(G)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 202930 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a one-semester course in ethnic studies. A local educational agency, including a charter school, may require a full-year course in ethnic studies at its discretion. Commencing with the 202526 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer at least a one-semester course in ethnic studies.
(ii)Subject to the course offerings of a local educational agency, including a charter school, a pupil may fulfill the requirement of clause (i) through the completion of any of the following types of courses:
(I)A course based on the model curriculum developed pursuant to Section 51226.7.
(II)An existing ethnic studies course.
(III)An ethnic studies course taught as part of a course that has been approved as meeting the AG requirements of the University of California and the California State University.
(IV)A locally developed ethnic studies course approved by the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school. The proposed course shall first be presented at a public meeting of the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school, and shall not be approved until a subsequent public meeting of the governing board or governing body at which the public has had the opportunity to express its views on the proposed course.
(iii)A course that does not use ethnic studies content as the primary content through which the subject is taught shall not be used to satisfy the requirement of clause (i).
(iv)A pupil completing a course described in clause (ii) shall also accrue credit for coursework in the subject that the course is offered, including, if applicable, credit towards satisfying a course required for a diploma of graduation from high school pursuant to this section.
(v)Curriculum, instruction, and instructional materials for a course described in clause (ii) shall meet all of the following requirements:
(I)Be appropriate for use with pupils of all races, religions, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, and diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, pupils with disabilities, and English learners.
(II)Not reflect or promote, directly or indirectly, any bias, bigotry, or discrimination against any person or group of persons on the basis of any category protected by Section 220.
(III)Not teach or promote religious doctrine.
(vi)It is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies, including charter schools, consider that, pursuant to Section 51226.7, the Instructional Quality Commission undertook a lengthy, thorough, deliberative, and inclusive process before submitting a model curriculum in ethnic studies to the state board. To the extent that local educational agencies, including charter schools, choose to locally develop an ethnic studies program for approval by their governing board or governing body, it is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies not use the portions of the draft model curriculum that were not adopted by the Instructional Quality Commission due to concerns related to bias, bigotry, and discrimination.
(vii)The amendments made to this section by Section 1 of Chapter 661 of the Statutes of 2021 shall not be construed to alter any other requirement of this section for pupils enrolled in a charter school.
(H)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that shall not be combined with any other course.
(ii)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, a pupil who completes a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that is not combined with any other course, may elect to be exempt from the requirement to complete a one-semester course in economics pursuant to subparagraph (D).
(iii)(I)A local educational agency may elect to eliminate one or more locally required courses established pursuant to paragraph (2) in order to accommodate the requirement that pupils, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance.
(II)This clause does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law.
(iv)Commencing with the 202728 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer in all of its high schools at least a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that is not combined with any other course.
(v)To satisfy the requirement of this subparagraph, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance shall include information for pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, on all of, and only, the topics listed in paragraphs (1) to (13), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 51284.5.
(I)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that shall not be combined with any other course.
(ii)Commencing the 202829 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer in all of its high schools at least a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that is not combined with any other course.
(iii)For purposes of this subparagraph, a course in career technical education means a course in a district-operated career technical education program that is aligned to the career technical model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the state board, including courses through a regional occupational center or program operated by a county superintendent of schools or pursuant to a joint powers agreement.
(iv)A local educational agency may elect to eliminate one or more locally required courses established pursuant to paragraph (2) in order to accommodate the requirement that pupils, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education.
(v)This subparagraph shall become operative only upon appropriation by the Legislature for these purposes in the annual Budget Act or another statute.
(2)(A)Other coursework requirements adopted by the governing board of the school district.
(B)The governing board of a school district may, at its discretion, adopt a policy to exempt pupils from any coursework requirements adopted pursuant to subparagraph (A). It is the intent of the Legislature that the policy include a consultation with the pupil and the educational rights holder for the pupil regarding any impact of not fulfilling locally required coursework on the pupils ability to gain admission to an institution of higher education.
(C)This paragraph does not affect a pupils rights pursuant to Section 51225.1 or 51225.31.
(b)The governing board, with the active involvement of parents, administrators, teachers, and pupils, shall adopt alternative means for pupils to complete the prescribed course of study that may include practical demonstration of skills and competencies, supervised work experience or other outside school experience, career technical education classes offered in high schools, courses offered by regional occupational centers or programs, interdisciplinary study, independent study, and credit earned at a postsecondary educational institution. Requirements for graduation and specified alternative modes for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made available to pupils, parents, and the public.
(c)On or before July 1, 2017, the department shall submit a comprehensive report to the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature on the addition of career technical education courses to satisfy the requirement specified in subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), including, but not limited to, the following information:
(1)A comparison of the pupil enrollment in career technical education courses, world language courses, and visual and performing arts courses for the 200506 to 201112 school years, inclusive, to the pupil enrollment in career technical education courses, world language courses, and visual and performing arts courses for the 201213 to 201617 school years, inclusive.
(2)The reasons, reported by school districts, that pupils give for choosing to enroll in a career technical education course to satisfy the requirement specified in subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).
(3)The type and number of career technical education courses that were conducted for the 200506 to 201112 school years, inclusive, compared to the type and number of career technical education courses that were conducted for the 201213 to 201617 school years, inclusive.
(4)The number of career technical education courses that satisfied the subject matter requirements for admission to the University of California or the California State University.
(5)The extent to which the career technical education courses chosen by pupils are aligned with the California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards, and prepare pupils for employment, advanced training, and postsecondary education.
(6)The number of career technical education courses that also satisfy the visual and performing arts requirement, and the number of career technical education courses that also satisfy the world language requirement.
(7)Annual pupil dropout and graduation rates for the 201112 to 201415 school years, inclusive.
(d)For purposes of completing the report described in subdivision (c), the Superintendent may use existing state resources and federal funds. If state or federal funds are not available or sufficient, the Superintendent may apply for and accept grants, and receive donations and other financial support from public or private sources for purposes of this section.
(e)For purposes of completing the report described in subdivision (c), the Superintendent may accept support, including, but not limited to, financial and technical support, from high school reform advocates, teachers, chamber organizations, industry representatives, research centers, parents, and pupils.
(f)The amendments made to this section by Section 1 of Chapter 661 of the Statutes of 2021 shall become operative only upon an appropriation of funds by the Legislature for purposes of these amendments in the annual Budget Act or another statute.
(g)This section shall become inoperative on the earlier of the following two dates:(1)On July 1, immediately following the first fiscal year after the enactment of Chapter 621 of the Statutes of 2011 in which the number of career technical education courses that, as determined by the department, satisfy the world language requirement for admission to the California State University and the University of California is at least twice the number of career technical education courses that meet these admission requirements as of January 1, 2012. This section shall be repealed on the following January 1, unless a later enacted statute, that becomes operative on or before that date, deletes or extends the dates on which it becomes inoperative and is repealed. It is the intent of the Legislature that new career technical education courses that satisfy the world language requirement for admission to the California State University and the University of California focus on world languages aligned with career preparation, emphasizing real-world application and technical content in related career and technical education courses.
(2)On July 1, 2027, and, as of January 1, 2028, is repealed.
SEC. 2.Section 51225.3 of the Education Code, as amended by Section 2 of Chapter 560 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:51225.3.(a)A pupil shall complete all of the following while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school:
(1)At least the following numbers of courses in the subjects specified, each course having a duration of one year, unless otherwise specified:
(A)Three courses in English.
(B)Two courses in mathematics. If the governing board of a school district requires more than two courses in mathematics for graduation, the governing board of the school district may award a pupil up to one mathematics course credit pursuant to Section 51225.35.
(C)Two courses in science, including biological and physical sciences.
(D)Three courses in social studies, including United States history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics; and a one-semester course in economics.
(E)One course in visual or performing arts or world language. For purposes of satisfying the requirement specified in this subparagraph, a course in American Sign Language shall be deemed a course in world language.
(F)Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been exempted pursuant to this code.
(G)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 202930 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a one-semester course in ethnic studies. A local educational agency, including a charter school, may require a full-year course in ethnic studies at its discretion. Commencing with the 202526 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer at least a one-semester course in ethnic studies.
(ii)Subject to the course offerings of a local educational agency, including a charter school, a pupil may fulfill the requirement of clause (i) through the completion of any of the following types of courses:
(I)A course based on the model curriculum developed pursuant to Section 51226.7.
(II)An existing ethnic studies course.
(III)An ethnic studies course taught as part of a course that has been approved as meeting the AG requirements of the University of California and the California State University.
(IV)A locally developed ethnic studies course approved by the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school. The proposed course shall first be presented at a public meeting of the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school, and shall not be approved until a subsequent public meeting of the governing board or governing body at which the public has had the opportunity to express its views on the proposed course.
(iii)A course that does not use ethnic studies content as the primary content through which the subject is taught shall not be used to satisfy the requirement of clause (i).
(iv)A pupil completing a course described in clause (ii) shall also accrue credit for coursework in the subject that the course is offered, including, if applicable, credit towards satisfying a course required for a diploma of graduation from high school pursuant to this section.
(v)Curriculum, instruction, and instructional materials for a course described in clause (ii) shall meet all of the following requirements:
(I)Be appropriate for use with pupils of all races, religions, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, and diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, pupils with disabilities, and English learners.
(II)Not reflect or promote, directly or indirectly, any bias, bigotry, or discrimination against any person or group of persons on the basis of any category protected by Section 220.
(III)Not teach or promote religious doctrine.
(vi)It is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies, including charter schools, consider that, pursuant to Section 51226.7, the Instructional Quality Commission undertook a lengthy, thorough, deliberative, and inclusive process before submitting a model curriculum in ethnic studies to the state board. To the extent that local educational agencies, including charter schools, choose to locally develop an ethnic studies program for approval by their governing board or governing body, it is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies not use the portions of the draft model curriculum that were not adopted by the Instructional Quality Commission due to concerns related to bias, bigotry, and discrimination.
(vii)The amendments made to this section by Section 2 of Chapter 661 of the Statutes of 2021 shall not be construed to alter any other requirement of this section for pupils enrolled in a charter school.
(H)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that shall not be combined with any other course.
(ii)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, a pupil who completes a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that is not combined with any other course, may elect to be exempt from the requirement to complete a one-semester course in economics pursuant to subparagraph (D).
(iii)(I)A local educational agency may elect to eliminate one or more locally required courses established pursuant to paragraph (2) in order to accommodate the requirement that pupils, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203031 school year, complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance.
(II)This clause does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law.
(iv)Commencing with the 202728 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer in all of its high schools at least a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that is not combined with any other course.
(v)To satisfy the requirement of this subparagraph, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance shall include information for pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, on all of, and only, the topics listed in paragraphs (1) to (13), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 51284.5.
(I)(i)Commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, including for pupils enrolled in a charter school, a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that shall not be combined with any other course.
(ii)Commencing the 202829 school year, a local educational agency, including a charter school, with pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall offer in all of its high schools at least a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education, that is not combined with any other course.
(iii)For purposes of this subparagraph, a course in career technical education means a course in a district-operated career technical education program that is aligned to the career technical model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the state board, including courses through a regional occupational center or program operated by a county superintendent of schools or pursuant to a joint powers agreement.
(iv)A local educational agency may elect to eliminate one or more locally required courses established pursuant to paragraph (2) in order to accommodate the requirement that pupils, commencing with pupils graduating in the 203132 school year, complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education.
(v)This subparagraph shall become operative only upon appropriation by the Legislature for these purposes in the annual Budget Act or another statute.
(2)(A)Other coursework requirements adopted by the governing board of the school district.
(B)The governing board of a school district may, at its discretion, adopt a policy to exempt pupils from any coursework requirements adopted pursuant to subparagraph (A). It is the intent of the Legislature that the policy include a consultation with the pupil and the educational rights holder for the pupil regarding any impact of not fulfilling locally required coursework on the pupils ability to gain admission to an institution of higher education.
(C)This paragraph does not affect a pupils rights pursuant to Section 51225.1 or 51225.31.
(b)The governing board, with the active involvement of parents, administrators, teachers, and pupils, shall adopt alternative means for pupils to complete the prescribed course of study that may include practical demonstration of skills and competencies, supervised work experience or other outside school experience, career technical education classes offered in high schools, courses offered by regional occupational centers or programs, interdisciplinary study, independent study, and credit earned at a postsecondary educational institution. Requirements for graduation and specified alternative modes for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made available to pupils, parents, and the public.
(c)If a pupil completed a career technical education course that met the requirements of subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 51225.3, as amended by Section 3 of Chapter 621 of the Statutes of 2011, before the inoperative date of that section, that course shall be deemed to fulfill the requirements of subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of this section.
(d)The amendments made to this section by Section 2 of Chapter 661 of the Statutes of 2021 shall become operative only upon an appropriation of funds by the Legislature for purposes of these amendments in the annual Budget Act or another statute.
(e)This section shall become operative upon the date that Section 51225.3, as amended by Section 35 of Chapter 571 of the Statutes of 2022, becomes inoperative.SEC. 3.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
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Date
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Status
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|---|---|
| Feb 2, 2026 | Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56. |
| May 1, 2025 | April 30 set for first hearing. Failed passage in committee. (Ayes 2. Noes 5. Page 961.) Reconsideration granted. |
| Apr 22, 2025 | Set for hearing April 30. |
| Apr 21, 2025 | April 23 hearing postponed by committee. |
| Apr 10, 2025 | From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on ED. |
| Apr 8, 2025 | From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on ED. |
| Apr 4, 2025 | Set for hearing April 23. |
| Mar 24, 2025 | From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on ED. |
| Mar 5, 2025 | Referred to Com. on ED. |
| Feb 21, 2025 | From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23. |
| Feb 20, 2025 | Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 30, 2025 | [First] hearing set for [04-30-2025]: Failed passage in Committee. Reconsideration granted | Senate Standing Committee on Education |
Passed |
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| Apr 30, 2025 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Senate Standing Committee on Education |
Failed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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|---|---|---|
| Alameda County Office Of Education | ** Against | |
| Association Of California School Administrators | ** Against | |
| California Agricultural Teachers Association | ** Support | |
| California Chamber Of Commerce | ** Support | |
| College Board | ** Support | |
| Northern California Youth Policy Coalition | ** Support | |
| Office of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools | ** Against | |
| State Building and Construction Trades Council | ** Support |
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, Chair
2025 - 2026 Regular
Bill No: SB 612 Hearing Date: April 30, 2025
Author: | |||
Version: | April 10, 2025 | ||
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | Yes |
Consultant: | Lynn Lorber | ||
Subject: Pupil instruction: high school graduation requirements: career technical education.
SUMMARY
This bill requires students to complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in career technical education (CTE) in order to graduate from high school beginning with students graduating in the 2031-32 school year.
BACKGROUND
Existing law:
- Requires a student to complete all of the following while in grades 9-12 in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school (each course having a duration of one year unless otherwise specified):
- Three courses in English.
- Two courses in mathematics.
- Two courses in science, including biological and physical sciences.
- Three courses in social studies, including United States history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics; and a one-semester course in economics.
- One course in visual or performing arts, world language, or, until July 1, 2027, CTE.
- Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been exempted, as specified.
- A one-semester course in ethnic studies beginning with students graduating in the 2029–30 school year.
- A separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance, that shall not be combined with any other course, beginning with students graduating in the 2030–31 school year.
- Other coursework requirements adopted by the governing board of the school district. (Education Code (EC) § 51225.3)
- Defines a course in CTE as a course in a district-operated CTE program that is aligned to the career technical model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the State Board of Education (SBE), including courses through a regional occupational center or program operated by a county superintendent of schools or pursuant to a joint powers agreement. (EC § 51225.3)
- Requires a local educational agency (LEA), if it elects to allow a CTE course to satisfy the graduation requirement, before offering that alternative to students, to notify parents, teachers, students, and the public at a regularly scheduled meeting of the governing board of all of the following:
- The intent to offer CTE courses to fulfill the graduation requirement.
- The impact that offering CTE courses to fulfill the graduation requirement will have on the availability of courses that meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University (CSU) and the University of California (UC), and whether the CTE courses to be offered are approved to satisfy those eligibility requirements
- The distinction, if any, between the high school graduation requirements of the school district or county office of education, and the eligibility requirements for admission to the CSU and the UC. (EC § 51225.3)
- Beginning July 2, 2027, the high school graduation requirements no longer allow CTE as an option to fulfill the graduation requirement instead of visual/performing arts or world language. (EC § 51225.3)
ANALYSIS
This bill:
- Requires students to complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in CTE that is not combined with any other course, in order to graduate from high school beginning with students graduating in the 2031-32 school year.
- Requires high schools to offer at least a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in CTE that is not combined with any other course, beginning in the 2028-29 school year.
- Authorizes the stand-alone one-semester course to be a CTE course offered at a community college pursuant to a partnership agreement between the LEA and a community college district.
- Authorizes LEAs to require a separate, stand-alone one-year course in CTE that is not combined with any other course, at its discretion.
- Authorizes LEAs to elect to eliminate one or more locally required courses in order to accommodate the requirement to complete a separate, stand-alone course in CTE.
- Prohibits CTE courses from being used to satisfy the visual/performing arts or world language graduation requirement if the new stand-alone one-semester CTE graduation requirement is operative.
- Eliminates existing requirements relative to providing notice about the impact of using CTE to satisfy the visual/performing arts or world language graduation requirements (such as not counting as an A-G course).
- Conditions the requirements of this bill upon an appropriation for these purposes.
STAFF COMMENTS
- Need for the bill. According to the author, “SB 612 will expand the presence of Career Technical Education opportunities for high school students by requiring a one-semester standalone course of true CTE to the graduation requirements. Current California law does not explicitly require a standalone CTE course, but instead to be used as an option for an extracurricular course. Additionally, when CTE is used in classrooms, it is often used interchangeably with college prep courses. SB 612 will remedy this issue by providing students hands-on, skill-based training in trade and vocational fields. The shift from true CTE courses in the classroom to college readiness has marginalized students who do not intend to pursue the traditional 4-year college path. Reintroducing true CTE courses in the classroom has the potential to reduce the accumulation of student loan debt and college dropout rates as well.”
- CTE courses that meet A-G requirements vs CTE courses that are not approved as meeting A-G. So called “A-G” represents the courses that students must successfully complete while in high school in order to be eligible for freshman admission to the CSU or the UC. The A-G requirements are as follows:
- A – two years of history that include one year of world history, cultures or historical geography, and one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government.
- B – four years of college-preparatory English that include frequent writing, from brainstorming to final paper, as well as reading of classic and modern literature.
- C - three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry; a fourth year of math is strongly recommended. A geometry course or an integrated math course with a sufficient amount of geometry content must be completed. Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades if the high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.
- D - two years of college-preparatory science, including or integrating topics that provide fundamental knowledge in two of these three subjects: biology, chemistry, or physics. One year of approved interdisciplinary or earth and space sciences coursework can meet one year of the requirement. A third year of science is recommended. Computer Science, Engineering, Applied Science courses can be used in area D as an additional science (i.e., third year and beyond).
- E - two years, or equivalent to the 2nd level of high school instruction, of the same language other than English are required. Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, composition and culture. American Sign Language and classical languages, such as Latin and Greek, are acceptable, as are Native American languages. Courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement if the high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.
- F - one year-long course of visual and performing arts chosen from the following disciplines: dance, music, theater, visual arts or interdisciplinary arts.
- G - one year (two semesters) chosen from courses specific to the elective subject area or courses beyond those used to satisfy the requirements of the A-F subjects.
CTE courses that are used to fulfill high school graduation requirements must be aligned to the career technical model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the SBE, including courses through a regional occupational center or program operated by a county superintendent of schools or pursuant to a joint powers agreement. CTE courses are not required to be aligned with A-G. If a LEA chooses to align a CTE course with A-G, the course must either fit within a specific subject area such as science, or within the G category for electives.
The state does not require high school graduation requirements to align with the A-G requirements (some high schools do align their graduation requirements to A-G). To be eligible for freshman admission to the UC or the CSU, a student must complete, in addition to the state graduation requirements, two additional courses in mathematics (the fourth is strongly recommended), one additional course in the subjects of English and science (recommended), either one to three years of world languages and one year of visual and performing arts (depending upon the choices of the student in meeting state graduation requirements), and one elective course. These “A-G” courses must meet college preparatory standards, and for admission to UC, 11 of these courses must be taken before a student’s senior year of high school.
A reason to align CTE courses with A-G is to enable students who complete such courses to also meet course requirements for admission to the CSU or UC. A reason not to align CTE courses with A-G is that each course must meet specific requirements and standards dictated by UC that may not be relevant for students who do not plan to seek admission to the CSU or UC (potentially preventing students from taking the CTE course).
- How will a new graduation requirement improve or change CTE course offerings? The author raises concerns with existing CTE courses as being “college prep” extracurricular courses, and as a result marginalize students who do not intend to seek admission to the CSU or UC. This bill is meant to provide students with “hands-on, skill-based training in trade and vocational fields” and a reintroduction of “true CTE courses” in the classroom.
While this bill prohibits the new stand-alone one semester course in CTE from being combined with any other course, it does not prohibit the course from being an A-G eligible course. Many existing CTE course are approved as meeting the G requirement (one year of electives); however, the G requirement may be met by taking two one-semester courses, and those courses do not have to be in the same subject. As a result, the new stand-alone one semester course in CTE could be an A-G eligible course and may not necessarily be hands-on, skill-based training in trade and vocational fields (but could certainly be both A-G eligible and hands-on). The decision about which type of CTE course, and in which industry sector, would remain with LEAs.
If existing CTE courses are not meeting the needs of students, LEAs currently have the authority to modify those courses. If existing CTE courses, whether they meet A-G requirements or not, are not meeting industry needs, LEAs currently have the authority to modify those courses.
To the extent this bill requires LEAs to offer a stand-alone one semester course in CTE that is hands-on, skill-based training in trade and vocational fields, LEAs not currently offering such courses may need to hire appropriately trained, experienced, and credentialed teachers in those fields. Other fiscal challenges may persist relating to facilities and specialized equipment. - Adding high school graduation requirements. The state requires a minimum of a total of 13 year-long courses. Two additional graduation requirements will become effective in the coming years:
- Beginning with the graduating class of 2029–30, students will also be required to complete a one-semester course in ethnic studies as a condition of graduation.
- Beginning with the graduating class of 2030–31, students will also be required to complete a separate, stand-alone one-semester course in personal finance as a condition of graduation.
This committee will also consider SB 745 (Ochoa Bogh, 2025) which extends the existing graduation requirement for one-semester course in American government and civics to be a year-long course, beginning with the graduating class of 2032-33 (unless LEA governing boards decide to only offer the existing one-semester course).
The committee may wish to consider whether students have room in their schedules for additional coursework. Depending upon a student’s choices, a student taking seven classes in each of the four years of high school (many students do not) who plans to meet both state and UC/CSU requirements, has a maximum of six or seven elective course choices over four years. Students who do not take as many courses each year have fewer. Students who have other constraints on their schedules, including English learners and students with special needs, may have even fewer choices.
The committee may wish to consider whether LEAs want additional state graduation requirements (existing law authorizes additional local graduation requirements).
The committee may wish to consider whether the current, incremental approach to establishing graduation requirements is serving students and schools well, or if a comprehensive review of state graduation requirements is needed.
- Recent coalition letter regarding legislation on curriculum and instruction. On April 16, 2025, a coalition of statewide education organizations and LEAs including the Association of California School Administrators, California School Board Association, California Association of School Business Officials, Alameda County Office of Education, Riverside County Office of Education, Small School Districts Association, Los Angeles Unified School District, and San Diego Unified School District, issued a joint letter citing concerns about the Legislature’s introduction of a large number bills this year that amend required curriculum and state curriculum frameworks and that create new graduation requirements. The letter also cites concerns about legislative efforts in recent years that have added new requirements without removing or revising existing standards. The letter states the following, in part:
“When implementing new changes, timing is critical. It is not feasible for schools to amend their curriculum every year to address changing legislative requirements. Annual changes are a challenge for all districts but are particularly difficult for smaller districts which may lack the capacity to review and incorporate new material regularly. To the greatest extent possible, new requirements must be accompanied by sufficient time and funding to develop curriculum and provide professional development and administrative and coordinative supports. New requirements should also be aligned with comprehensive state policy frameworks, including the Governor’s Master Plan for Career Technical Education released April 2, 2025.
“Students already receive a broad liberal arts education that prepares them to pursue a variety of career and life goals upon graduation. While well-intentioned, every additional required class removes the opportunity for a student to pursue an elective, career technical education, or advanced learning in a field of interest. Constricting options for students by mandating additional required classes further complicates master schedules at high schools and decreases the flexibility necessary to increase enrollment in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and dual enrollment options for students. Additional required classes also compound scheduling challenges for students who need to complete English Language Development in addition to English Language Arts, students who need to retake classes to graduate, and other students who may fall behind the typical curriculum schedule.” - Existing CTE programs and initiatives. The following are existing state-supported CTE initiatives and programs that assist LEAs in offering high-quality CTE courses that meet industry needs:
The Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) Program was originally established in 2015 as a one-time investment of $900 million to cover a three-year span and acted as a bridge for LEAs to support CTE programs until the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) was fully funded. It was created as a state education, economic, and workforce development initiative to provide K-12 students with the knowledge and skills necessary to transition from secondary education to postsecondary education and living-wage employment. The purpose of the program is to encourage, maintain, and strengthen the delivery of high-quality CTE programs. Grants are awarded under the CTEIG program by CDE, in consultation with the SBE, in response to applications submitted by LEAs outlining the ways in which they meet the statutorily defined requirements, including a 2:1 match of local to state funding.
The K-12 Strong Workforce Program (SWP) was established in 2018 as a component of the Community Colleges’ SWP to create, support, or expand high-quality CTE programs at the secondary level that are aligned with the workforce development efforts occurring through the SWP. As is the case for CTEIG, the K-12 SWP is meant to support the overall development of high-quality K-12 CTE programs, courses, course sequences, programs of study, and pathways. The program is administered by the Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. The program is currently funded at $150 million annually. Unlike the CTEIG program, which is administered at the state level, the Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office allocates K-12 SWP grant funding to eight regional consortia according to a statutory formula. Each regional consortium is required to administer a competitive grant program it receives to LEAs in the region.
The Golden State Pathways Program was established in 2022 to promote pathways in high-wage, high-skill, high-growth areas that allow students to advance seamlessly from high school to college and career; encourage collaboration between LEAs, institutions of higher education, local and regional employers, and other relevant community interest holders to develop, or expand the availability of, innovative college and career pathways that simultaneously align with an LEA’s local or regional labor market needs; and, enable more students to access postsecondary education opportunities and workforce training opportunities, or to obtain gainful employment in an industry that simultaneously aligns with local, regional, or state labor market needs. $470 million was provided via grants for the 2024-25 school year.
California’s Master Plan for Career Education was released by the Governor on April 2, 2025, to provide “a framework for responding to the complex, multifaceted challenges confronting California’s labor market and educational landscape. This plan, which builds on the 1960 plan, acknowledges the shifting demographics of college attendees and the changing nature of work—with automation and artificial intelligence reshaping job categories and skill requirements—and provides flexibility to address new challenges that will emerge in the future. In addition to identifying priority areas for future action, it provides examples of work already underway that could be scaled and replicated to attain shared goals.”
This new master plan includes several recommendations, including:- A new statewide planning and coordinating body should be created that brings together the state’s education segments, workforce training providers, and employers. The coordinating body should evaluate changing economic needs and demand for skills, develop sector-based and cross-sector strategies, create statewide goals, align federal and state plans, coordinate efforts to maximize funding, coordinate implementation of specific federal and state programs, co-design programs to address workforce opportunities, and connect with regions.
- Pushing for universal availability and implementation of pathways programs would provide students from all backgrounds with clear roadmaps to gainful employment and career advancement. These pathways can be designed to provide experiential learning opportunities, shorten the time to a career, alleviate financial pressures, and empower individuals to actualize their dreams, all while contributing to social and economic mobility within communities.
- A new statewide planning and coordinating body should be created that brings together the state’s education segments, workforce training providers, and employers. The coordinating body should evaluate changing economic needs and demand for skills, develop sector-based and cross-sector strategies, create statewide goals, align federal and state plans, coordinate efforts to maximize funding, coordinate implementation of specific federal and state programs, co-design programs to address workforce opportunities, and connect with regions.
The Master Plan for Career Education does not recommend adding a stand-alone course in CTE as an additional high school graduation requirement.
2025-CA-Master-Plan-for-Career-Education.pdf
Also noteworthy is current legislation related to CTE, as described in # 7 below. LEAs have several existing ways to improve CTE course offerings and advance the benefits of such coursework.
- Related legislation.
AB 821 (Gipson, 2025) extends into perpetuity the existing authority for CTE courses to be used to satisfy the visual/performing arts or world language graduation requirement. AB 821 is pending in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
SB 745 (Ochoa Bogh, 2025) extends the existing graduation requirement for one-semester course in American government and civics to be a year-long course, beginning with the graduating class of 2032-33 (unless LEA governing boards decide to only offer the existing one-semester course). SB 745 is scheduled to be heard by this committee on April 30.
SB 638 (Padilla, 2025) creates the Career Technical Education and Career Pathways Grant Program, administered by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), to support LEAs serving high-need areas. This bill also establishes the California Education and Workforce Development Coordinating Entity (Coordinating Entity) within the Government Operations Agency to serve as the statewide planning and coordinating body for CTE, career pathways, and workforce development. SB 638 is scheduled to be heard by this Committee on April 30.
SB 845 (Perez, 2025) makes several changes to the state’s framework for CTE and work-based learning, including: (1) revising the process for updating model CTE curriculum standards by requiring consultation with CTE teachers and labor representatives; (2) expanding the authority of LEAs, including state special schools, to offer and award credit for work-based learning activities beginning in grade 10; (3) establishing an interagency workgroup to develop occupational frameworks for youth apprenticeships; and (4) requiring the California Department of Education (CDE) to collect data on work-based learning participation, subject to an appropriation. SB 845 is pending in the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee.
SUPPORT
California Agricultural Teachers’ Association
California Chamber of Commerce
College Board
Northern California Youth Policy Coalition
State Building and Construction Trades Council
OPPOSITION
Alameda County Office of Education
Association of California School Administrators
Office of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools
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Bill Author
