Budget and Legislative
Update
California Consortium for Independent Study (CCIS)
Presented by:
Barrett Snider, Capitol Advisors Group
Arlene Matsuura, CDE
Wendi McCaskill, CDE
Topics Covered
• Legislative Changes in 2014 - Barrett
• Election outcomes: Impacts - Barrett
• Preview: K-12 education issues in 2015 - Barrett
• Independent Study changes:
• Part 1: Changes to Independent Study Barrett/Arlene/Wendi
• Part 2: New “Course-based” Independent Study option
(beginning in 2015-16 school year) - Barrett/Arlene/Wendi
Legislative Changes in 2014
• Expanded Preschool and Child Care for lowincome students – increased slots
• Pushed by out-going Senate leader Darrell Steinberg
(D-Sacramento)
• Changes to Independent Study
• CalSTRS reform - increases contribution rates for
employees, employers, and the state in an attempt to
eliminate $75 liability over 32 year period
New CalSTRS Rates
New CalSTRS Rates
Teacher Dismissal
AB 215 (Buchanan) - makes numerous changes to the teacher
dismissal process. Adds “egregious misconduct” as a specific type of
immoral conduct that allows for a new separate dismissal process
•
One of the most controversial bills of 2014 - in response to
LAUSD molestation case
•
Backed by CTA and EdVoice in political deal with Governor to
avoid education “armageddon” on November 2014 ballot
•
Administrators say reforms are cumbersome and more
problematic than previous law regarding dismissal for these types
of cases
•
Watch Vergara v .State of California litigation to potentially create
an opportunity for more conversation on this topic
Legislative Changes in 2014
• SB 1174 (Lara) - will ask voters in November 2016 to repeal
Prop 227 (1998) mandate on English-only instruction
• AB 1764 (Olsen) - allows schools, if they require more than
two-years of mathematics to graduate, to award mathematics
credit for any “category C” approved computer science course
• AB 2160 (Ting) - Requires all schools to electronically submit
GPAs for all high school seniors to the California Student Aid
Commission
• AB 420 (Dickinson) - Modifies the instances in which a
student may be suspended or expelled for “willful defiance"
Legislative Changes in 2014
Student Data/Privacy:
• AB 1442 (Gatto) creates rules for LEAs that adopt a
program to collect information about students from social
media – also affects 3rd party contracts
• AB 1584 (Buchanan) Requires LEAs, when contracting
for digital storage of student data to include specific
language in those contracts
• SB 1177 (Steinberg) Prohibits K-12 Internet operators
from using student information for a variety of uses
(marketing, selling, etc.)
Want a full report
of changes in K12 education law
in 2014?
Available on the members only
section of the CCIS website
Election Outcomes: Impacts
• Governor Brown wins easily, very popular
• Clearly in charge
• Torlakson won with larger margin than anticipated
• Reformers vs. Teachers Unions
• Democrats lose 2/3 supermajorities in Senate and
Assembly
• Republicans relevant again for taxes, appointments
• New legislative leaders, longer term limits
• Prop 2 (Rainy Day Fund) passed – transparency and
school district reserve limitations
Preview: K-12 Education
Issues in 2015
• Budget and Legislative business start in January
• Governor likely to focus on Special Education reform, Adult
Education reform, CTE/ROCP funding issues, and school
facilities funding
• Legislature wants to tinker with LCFF and LCAPs to require
more services for EL, low income, and foster youth
• Proceed with caution: changes to school district budget reserve
limitation
• SBAC assessments go live, probably…
• Prop 30 revenues approaching cliff ’s edge
Changes to Independent Study
• SB 858 (Chapter 32, Statutes of 2014) Education Budget
Trailer Bill
• Signed in June 2014 along with other budget bills
• Includes changes to Independent Study law and creates new
“course-based” Independent Study option
• SB 876 (Chapter 687, Statutes of 2014) Education Budget
Cleanup Bill
• signed in September 2014
• Includes cleanup language that applies a statewide absence
rate to the ADA generated by the new “course-based”
independent study option
Part 1: Changes to
Independent Study
1. Provides that the ratio of average daily attendance
(ADA) IS pupils to full-time equivalent certificated
employees responsible for IS shall be applied by grade
span for each of the following grade spans, unless there
is a locally bargained alternative:
•
•
•
•
Kindergarten and grades 1 to 3
Grades 4 to 6
Grades 7 to 8
Grades 9 to 12
2. Permits written agreements to be maintained on file
electronically
Part 1: Changes to
Independent Study
3. Provides that LEAs shall not be required to sign
and date pupil work products when assessing the
time value of pupil work products for
apportionment purposes
4. Allows LEAs to enter into year-long master
agreements
Part 2: New “Course-based”
Independent Study
• Creates a “course-based” Independent Study option,
beginning in 2015-16, for pupils in Kindergarten
through grade 12
• There are lots of issues here
• CCIS was agnostic about “course-based” option
because Governor wanted it as part of the package of
reforms
Part 2: New “Course-based”
Independent Study
• It is an optional alternative to regular Independent Study
• May offer it commencing with the 2015-16 school year
• May be offered to students in Kindergarten to Grade 12
• Includes school districts, county offices of education, and
charter schools
• Strongly advise NOT utilizing it – at least for now
Part 2: New “Course-based”
Independent Study
Required elements:
•
Signed learning agreement completed and on file
•
Highly Qualified teachers and employed at the LEA (or MOU)
•
Pupils meet residency, enrollment, and age requirements
•
Teacher and pupil must communicate twice per calendar month
to assess satisfactory progress (in person, by telephone, or other
live visual or audio connection)
•
A proctor must administer examinations (issues)
•
“Satisfactory educational progress” must be made to stay
enrolled
Part 2: New “Course-based”
Independent Study
•
“Satisfactory educational progress” can include:
• Statewide tests, completion of assignments, examinations or other indicators that
evidence the pupil is working, learning, and making progress toward successful
completion of course
• “As determined by certificated employee providing instruction”
•
If satisfactory progress is not being made
1.
2.
3.
•
Notification to pupil and parents
Conduct an evaluation to determine if alternative placement should be made
Maintain a written record of the unsatisfactory progress evaluation which is
considered a mandatory interim record and must be maintained for 3 years
Maintain written or computer-based evidence of satisfactory
progress for each pupil and each course. Evidence shall include:
• A grade book or summary document that lists all assignments, examinations and
associated grades.
Part 2: New “Course-based”
Independent Study
•
Statewide testing results must be disaggregated to compare with pupils enrolled in
classroom-based courses
•
Pupil cannot be required to enroll in “course-based” independent study
•
Independent Study Ratio (EC 47612.5) requirements must be met
•
Pupils must be offered the minimum annual total equivalent instructional minutes
•
Pupils must met applicable minimum daily instructional minutes
•
Courses for HS graduation, UC/CSU admission cannot be offered exclusively
through IS
•
Pupils enrolled in these courses may not be assessed any prohibited fees
•
Cannot prohibit from participating solely based on not having equipment, or
internet
CCIS Efforts in 2015
• Reverse or revise the grade-span calculation (LCFF grade
spans) for pupil/teacher ratios for regular IS
• Clarify that LEAs may “collect/accept” electronic
agreements
• Add/clarify the ability to collect and store the following
electronically:
•
•
•
•
Work samples
Assignment sheets
Supplemental agreements
Attendance sheets
Contact Information
Thank you, please contact us if we can provide
additional information:
• Barrett Snider - barrett@capitoladvisors.org
• Arlene Matsuura - amatsuur@cde.ca.gov
• Wendi McKaskill - wmccaskill@cde.ca.gov