SACRAMENTO – The Assembly Committee on Education voted 10-0 on Wednesday to approve Senate Bill 1442, legislation by Sen. Patricia Wiggins (D-santa Rosa) clarifying that school districts and charter schools can offer project-based learning, including career technical education, before or after school, on weekends or during the summer.

According to Wiggins, existing law requires schools to provide supplemental instruction to students who do not demonstrate sufficient progress towards passing the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE).

“However, there is a common misconception that remediation can only be offered through traditional practices,” she added. “This bill will clarify that schools can utilize a project-based or applied learning approach – similar to methods taught in career technical education – in their supplemental instruction programs, provided that the courses meet state academic standards and the programs are offered before or after school, on Saturdays or in the summer.”

She added, “The high school drop-out rate is unacceptable, and my bill addressed that problem by offering ways to help all students remain engaged in their education. By utilizing different teaching approaches, students who are in remediation courses are more likely to master the academic curriculum when they see more relevance in their education.”

SB 1442 reinforces the fact that school districts or charter schools that provide supplemental instruction to pupils who are not making progress toward passing the CAHSEE can offer courses that integrate core curriculum with project-based learning, including career technical education.

The bill also clarifies that school districts or charter schools that offer supplemental instruction to pupils who are recommended for retention, or retained in a grade, can offer courses that integrate core curriculum with project-based learning.

SB 1442 is supported by education, labor and industry groups, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the California Association of Leaders for Career Preparation, the California Chamber of Commerce, the California School Boards Association, the California Teachers Association and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.

The bill now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for consideration.

Wiggins represents California’s 2nd Senate District, which includes Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.

For more information on SB 1442 or other bills authored by Wiggins, please visit her Web site: http://dist02.casen.govoffice.com/.

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