text:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) There are profound personal and financial implications for Californians associated with the average life expectancy steadily increasing toward 100 years of age.

(2) The savings rate among “boomers” continues to drop, while their cumulative debt continues to rise.

(3) A majority of workers choose to “cash out” of their employment savings plans when changing jobs, rather than transferring the accounts upon job changes and maintaining their savings in these accounts.

(4) It is estimated that 40 to 50 percent of “boomers” will likely find themselves living their later years in financial hardship.

(5) Californians should be financially prepared for, and aware of, the lifelong health issues associated with later life.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that will result in the education of all Californians regarding our prospect of becoming an “aging” state, including education as to all of the following:

(1) The changes we can expect in the later years of our lives.

(2) The changes we can expect of a society that is growing older.

(3) How we can be better prepared to sustain ourselves and our society in the coming years.

(4) The financial realities of living for a century.

(5) The importance of saving and financial planning.

(6) The financial benefits of healthful living and disease prevention.

(7) A new vision of aging, thereby dispelling ageist myths.

(8) An understanding of chronic disease and illness, with an emphasis on disease prevention and health in later life.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 541, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 2003.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 2. Required Courses of Study > 6. Primary Education Model Curriculum for Lifelong Health, Aging, and Financial Literacy


kind: section

code: EDC

text:
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to establish educational requirements in order to instill in California’s youth a sense of importance about lifelong financial planning and preparation, including, among other things, the costs of health care, in a much-extended later life.

(b) Educational institutions have developed a model curriculum in lifelong healthy aging and financial preparedness, with materials, free of charge, for the Superintendent of Public Instruction to disseminate to school teachers at the local level.

(c) The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall make this existing curriculum available to teachers, using materials that are currently available at no cost, with information and links provided through the Internet, in order to provide to students in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, instruction on human growth, human development, and financial preparedness.

division: 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES

part: 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

chapter: 2. Required Courses of Study

article: 6. Primary Education Model Curriculum for Lifelong Health, Aging, and Financial Literacy


text: Concurrently with, but not prior to, the next revision of textbooks or curriculum frameworks in the social sciences, health, and mathematics curricula, the state board shall ensure that these academic areas integrate components of human growth, human development, and human contribution to society, across the life course, and also financial literacy, including, but not limited to, budgeting and managing credit, student loans, consumer debt, and identity theft security.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 135, Sec. 3. (AB 166) Effective January 1, 2014.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
Notwithstanding Section 51284, when the history-social science curriculum framework is revised after January 1, 2017, the Instructional Quality Commission shall consider including both of the following:

(a) Age-appropriate information for grade spans, as listed in paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (b), on financial literacy that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:

(1) Fundamentals of banking for personal use, including, but not limited to, savings and checking and managing to minimize fees.

(2) Principles of budgeting for independent living.

(3) Employment and understanding factors that affect net income, including the topics described in subdivision (a) of Section 49110.5.

(4) Uses and effects of credit, including managing credit scores and the relation of debt and interest to credit.

(5) Uses and costs of loans, including student loans, as well as policies that provide student loan forgiveness.

(6) Types and costs of insurance, including home, auto, health, and life insurance.

(7) Impacts of the tax system, including its impact on personal income, the process to file taxes, and how to read tax forms and pay stubs.

(8) Principles of investing and building wealth, including investment alternatives to build financial security, including tax-advantaged investments such as pensions and 401(k) plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and index funds.

(9) Enhancing consumer protection skills by raising awareness of common scams and frauds and preventing identity theft.

(10) Identifying means to finance college, workforce education, low-cost community college options, and other career technical educational pathways or apprenticeships. Financing options covered may include scholarships, merit aid, the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program, as established in Article 19.5 (commencing with Section 69996) of Chapter 2 of Part 42 of Division 5 of Title 3, and student loans.

(11) Understanding how psychology can impact one’s financial well-being.

(12) Charitable giving.

(13) Other topics that are directly and specifically relevant to personal finance.

(b) Age-appropriate content related to the topics listed in paragraphs (1) to (13), inclusive, of subdivision (a), at least twice in each of the following grade spans:

(1) Kindergarten and grades 1 to 5, inclusive.

(2) Grades 6 to 8, inclusive.

(3) Grades 9 to 12, inclusive.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 8, Sec. 47. (AB 121) Effective June 27, 2025.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION


text: The governing board of any school district maintaining an elementary school may provide for the conferring of diplomas of graduation, by examination, and may issue diplomas of graduation from the elementary schools of the district and from special day and evening classes of elementary grade maintained by the district of any type or class.

history: (History: Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

chapter: 3. Diplomas and Certificates

article: 1. Elementary School Diploma

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 3. Diplomas and Certificates > 1. Elementary School Diploma


text: Nothing in this article shall be construed as prohibiting the governing board of any school district from issuing diplomas of graduation without examination to the pupils in any school which has been accredited by the county board of education.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 1. Elementary School Diploma


text: The diplomas of graduation from elementary schools shall be conferred only upon the pupils who have completed the course of study prescribed.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 1. Elementary School Diploma


text: Elementary school diplomas granted by the governing board of a school district may be on blanks furnished by the Superintendent of Public Instruction or on forms provided by the district, which shall be subject to the approval of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. All diplomas shall be signed by a majority of the members of the board or its designated representative. Facsimile signatures or signature stamps may be used for this purpose.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 1. Elementary School Diploma


text:
No diploma, certificate or other document which is conferred upon a pupil as evidence of his completion of a prescribed course of study or training shall bear any distinctive marking or words which indicate that the pupil upon whom it was conferred was, for purposes of his course of study or training, placed within a particular classification based upon his intellectual or mental capacity.

The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prevent a diploma, certificate or other document from indicating that the pupil upon whom it is conferred maintained exceptionally high grades during his course of study or training, or that he completed his course with honors, or to prevent the governing board of any school district from publicizing such information.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 2. Diplomas

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 3. Diplomas and Certificates > 2. Diplomas


text: No governing board of any school district maintaining a high school shall require as a condition for graduation from the high schools within the district that a pupil have resided within the district for any minimum length of time.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1977, Ch. 36.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 2. Diplomas


text: No diploma, certificate or other document, except transcripts and letters of recommendation, shall be conferred on a pupil as evidence of completion of a prescribed course of study or training, or of satisfactory attendance, unless the pupil has met the standards of proficiency in basic skills prescribed by the governing board of the high school district, or equivalent thereof.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1058, Sec. 43. Effective January 1, 2001.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 2. Diplomas


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, the governing board or body of a local educational agency, and the department on behalf of state special schools, shall grant a diploma of graduation from high school to any pupil who completed grade 12 in the 2003–04 school year through the 2014–15 school year and met all applicable graduation requirements other than the passage of the high school exit examination required pursuant to former Section 60851, as that section read on January 1, 2017.

(b) For purposes of this section, “local educational agency” means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 641, Sec. 11. (AB 830) Effective January 1, 2018.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 2. Diplomas


text:
The Superintendent shall issue a California high school equivalency certificate and an official score report, or an official score report only, to any person who has not completed high school and who meets all of the following requirements:

(a) Is a resident of this state or is a member of the armed services assigned to duty in this state.

(b) Has taken all or a portion of a high school equivalency test that has been approved by the state board and that is administered by a testing center approved by the department, with a score determined by the state board to be equal to the standard of performance expected from high school graduates.

(c) Meets one of the following:

(1) Is at least 18 years of age.

(2) Would have graduated from high school had he or she remained in school and followed the usual course of study toward graduation.

(3) Is at least 17 years of age, has accumulated fewer than 100 units of high school credit, and is confined to a state or county hospital or to an institution maintained by a state or county correctional agency.

(4) (A) Is at least 17 years of age, has accumulated fewer than 100 units of high school credit prior to enrollment in the academic program described in this paragraph, and has successfully completed the academic program offered by a dropout recovery high school that provides the pupil with all of the following:

(i) Instruction aligned to state academic content standards.

(ii) The opportunity to complete the requirements for a high school diploma.

(iii) At least one year of instruction or instruction followed by services related to the academic program.

(B) For purposes of this paragraph, “dropout recovery high school” has the same meaning as set forth in subparagraph (D) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 52052.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 663, Sec. 1. (AB 1176) Effective January 1, 2018.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3. High School Equivalency Certificates

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 3. Diplomas and Certificates > 3. High School Equivalency Certificates


text:
(a) The Superintendent may charge a one-time only fee, established by the state board, to be submitted by an examinee when registering for the test sufficient in an amount not greater than the amount required to pay the cost of administering this article, including costs related to subdivision (b), and for the cost of providing services related to the completion of a high school equivalency test that has been approved by the state board. The amount of each fee may not exceed twenty dollars ($20) per person.

(b) The examinee shall be responsible for submitting to the Superintendent both of the following requests:

(1) A request for a duplicate copy of the high school equivalency certificate.

(2) A request to forward a report of the results of a high school equivalency test approved by the state board to a postsecondary educational institution.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 663, Sec. 2. (AB 1176) Effective January 1, 2018.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3. High School Equivalency Certificates


text:
(a) If, for purposes of this article, a contractor or testing center charges an examinee its own separate fee, the contractor or testing center shall not charge that fee to an examinee who meets all of the following criteria:

(1) The examinee qualifies as a homeless child or youth, as defined in paragraph (2) of Section 725 of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 11434a(2)), or as a foster youth, as defined in subdivision (f).

(2) The examinee has not attained 25 years of age as of the date of the scheduled examination.

(3) For an examinee who qualifies as a homeless child or youth pursuant to paragraph (1), the examinee can verify his or her status as a homeless child or youth. A homeless services provider that has knowledge of the examinee’s housing status may verify the examinee’s status for purposes of this paragraph.

(b) For purposes of this section, a “homeless services provider” includes either of the following:

(1) A homeless services provider listed in paragraph (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 103577 of the Health and Safety Code.

(2) Any other person or entity that is qualified to verify an individual’s housing status, as determined by the department.

(c) Additional state funds shall not be appropriated for purposes of implementing this section.

(d) The Superintendent shall adopt emergency regulations, as necessary, to implement this section. The adoption of these regulations shall be deemed to be an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, or general welfare.

(e) The department shall include a provision in all memorandums of understanding with contractors for purposes of providing a high school equivalency test, that if the surplus funds in the Special Deposit Fund Account are depleted, the ongoing costs of a fee waiver for an examinee deemed eligible for a waiver pursuant to this section shall be absorbed by the contractor.

(f) For purposes of this section, a “foster youth” means any individual who meets or has ever met one of the following criteria:

(1) A child who was the subject of a petition filed pursuant to Section 300 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and removed from his or her home by the juvenile court pursuant to Section 319 or 361 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(2) A child who was the subject of a petition filed pursuant to Section 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and removed from his or her home by the juvenile court pursuant to Section 727 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(g) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2019.

history: (History: Amended (as added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 384, Sec. 4) by Stats. 2016, Ch. 697, Sec. 3. (AB 2656) Effective January 1, 2017. Section operative July 1, 2019, by its own provisions.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3. High School Equivalency Certificates


text: Each scoring contractor shall provide the Superintendent with a set of results for each examinee who has taken all or a portion of a high school equivalency test that has been approved by the state board. Each scoring contractor shall forward to the Superintendent the fee established pursuant to Section 51421 for each examinee who has taken the general educational development test.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 92, Sec. 55. (SB 1289) Effective January 1, 2019.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3. High School Equivalency Certificates


text:
(a) (1) The Superintendent may provide for the administration of a high school equivalency test that has been approved by the state board to persons confined to state or county hospitals or to institutions maintained by state or county correctional agencies.

(2) Those agencies, upon request, shall reimburse the Superintendent in an amount sufficient to pay the cost of administering the test.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the Superintendent may grant a waiver to a county office of education to provide a preparation program, for a high school equivalency test that has been approved by the state board, as part of any other instructional program during the regular schoolday to a person who is at least 17 years of age, has accumulated insufficient units of high school credit to graduate from high school by 18 years of age, and is confined to a state or county hospital or to an institution maintained by a state or county correctional agency.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 663, Sec. 4. (AB 1176) Effective January 1, 2018.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3. High School Equivalency Certificates


text: The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall keep a permanent record of California high school equivalency certificates issued pursuant to this article.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 163, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2003.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3. High School Equivalency Certificates


text: A California high school equivalency certificate shall be deemed to be a high school diploma for the purpose of meeting the requirements of employment by all state and local public agencies in this state.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3. High School Equivalency Certificates


text: The State Board of Education shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement this article.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3. High School Equivalency Certificates


text: Pursuant to Section 16370 of the Government Code, there is hereby authorized in the State Treasury a Special Deposit Fund Account, which shall consist of fees that may be prescribed by Sections 51421 and 51423. All of the fees collected are hereby appropriated without regard to fiscal year for the support of the Department of Education to be used pursuant to this article.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1985, Ch. 1546, Sec. 9.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3. High School Equivalency Certificates


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a high school district, unified school district, county office of education, or the governing body of a charter school may retroactively grant a high school diploma to a person who has not received a high school diploma if they meet any of the following conditions:

(1) The person was interned by order of the federal government during World War II and was enrolled in a high school operated by the school district or under the jurisdiction of the county office of education immediately preceding their internment and did not receive a high school diploma because their education was interrupted due to their internment during World War II.

(2) The person is a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War; was honorably discharged from their military service; was enrolled in a high school operated by the school district or under the jurisdiction of the county office of education immediately preceding their military service in those wars; and did not receive a high school diploma because their education was interrupted due to their military service in those wars.

(3) The person has departed California against their will, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 48204.4, and, at the time of their departure, was enrolled in grade 12 of a high school operated by the school district, by or under the jurisdiction of the county office of education, or by the charter school; did not receive a high school diploma because their education was interrupted due to their departure; and was in good academic standing at the time of their departure. In making an evaluation as to whether to award a high school diploma to a pupil who meets the conditions of this paragraph, a school district, county office of education, or charter school shall consider any coursework that may have been completed by the pupil outside of the United States or that may have been completed by the pupil through online or virtual courses.

(4) The person was in their senior year of high school during the 2019–20 school year; in good academic standing and on track to graduate at the end of the 2019–20 school year, as of March 1, 2020; and unable to complete the statewide graduation requirements as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

(b) A high school district, unified school district, or county office of education may retroactively grant a high school diploma to a deceased person who meets the conditions of paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (a), to be received by the next of kin of the deceased person.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 66, Sec. 2. (AB 1350) Effective January 1, 2021.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3.5. Retroactive High School Diplomas

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 3. Diplomas and Certificates > 3.5. Retroactive High School Diplomas


text:
(a) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, subject to regulations that the state board shall prescribe, a high school district, unified school district, or county office of education maintaining a four-year high school or senior high school, may, for a person who has not received a high school diploma included in paragraph (2), evaluate classes completed in any high school, community college, or state college; grant credit toward graduation for military service and training received while in the military service of the United States, and if satisfied that that person has completed the equivalent of the requirements for graduation from high school, grant him or her a diploma of graduation.

(2) Persons who may be granted a diploma pursuant to paragraph (1) are:

(A) A former member of the Armed Forces who is a resident of this state and who has received an honorable discharge.

(B) A member of the Armed Forces who is, and on the date he or she entered the Armed Forces was, a resident of this state.

(b) A veteran who entered the military service of the United States while a pupil in grade 12 of a high school and who at the time of his or her entrance into military service had satisfactorily completed the first half of the work required for grade 12 shall be granted a diploma of graduation from that high school.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 255, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2005.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3.5. Retroactive High School Diplomas


text: For purposes of this article, “veteran” means a person who has served 90 days or more in the military service of the United States during a war with a foreign power or during any national emergency declared by the President of the United States and who has received an honorable discharge from that service.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 255, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2005.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3.5. Retroactive High School Diplomas


text: The Golden State Seal Merit Diploma is hereby established as an honors diploma to recognize high school graduates who have mastered the high school curriculum. The Golden State Seal Merit Diploma shall be awarded jointly by the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction to each qualifying high school student.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 204, Sec. 13. Effective July 22, 1996.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 5. Golden State Seal Merit Diploma

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 3. Diplomas and Certificates > 5. Golden State Seal Merit Diploma


text:
A student who meets the following requirements shall qualify for a Golden State Seal Merit Diploma:

(a) The completion of all requirements for a high school diploma.

(b) A demonstration of the mastery of the curriculum in at least six subject matter areas, four of which shall be mathematics, English language arts, science, and United States history, with the remaining two subject matter areas selected by the student.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 5. Golden State Seal Merit Diploma


text:
The state board shall determine and adopt, based upon the recommendations of the Superintendent, the following:

(a) The means by which pupils may demonstrate mastery of the curriculum. For subject matter areas, the means may include, but shall not be limited to, any subject matter examinations deemed appropriately rigorous by the state board. For this purpose, the state board may designate examinations administered by or under the auspices of the department, or examinations produced by private providers or local educational agencies, that are supervised and administered under conditions that are deemed adequate by the state board.

(b) Pupil performance standards or achievement levels that demonstrate mastery of the curriculum.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 303, Sec. 13. (SB 509) Effective January 1, 2010.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 5. Golden State Seal Merit Diploma


text:
Under the policy direction of the State Board of Education and the administrative leadership of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Department of Education shall do the following:

(a) Ensure that the results of the Golden State Examination are sent to school districts in a timely manner and work with providers of other examinations to provide timely information to school districts on students who have met the performance standards so that school districts can efficiently maintain student records and identify pupils who meet the requirements of the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma.

(b) Prepare and distribute to school districts an appropriate insignia to be affixed to a student’s diploma and transcript indicating that the student has been awarded a Golden State Seal Merit Diploma by the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

(c) Consider whether it would be appropriate and feasible to provide any additional awards to recipients of the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 5. Golden State Seal Merit Diploma


text: Each school district that confers high school diplomas shall maintain appropriate records in order to identify students who have earned a Golden State Seal Merit Diploma, and shall affix the appropriate insignia to the diploma and transcript of each student that earns a Golden State Seal Merit Diploma.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 5. Golden State Seal Merit Diploma


text:
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that no fee or other cost be charged to any pupil pursuant to this article. However, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a school district receiving funds pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 54000) of Part 29 may expend any portion of those funds to pay for all or part of the costs of one or more examinations pursuant to this article that are charged to economically disadvantaged pupils.

(b) An economically disadvantaged pupil means a pupil from a family that receives Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 5. Golden State Seal Merit Diploma


text:
(a) The State Seal of Biliteracy is established to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. The State Seal of Biliteracy shall be awarded by the Superintendent. School district participation in this program is voluntary.

(b) The purposes of the State Seal of Biliteracy are as follows:

(1) To encourage pupils to study languages.

(2) To certify attainment of biliteracy.

(3) To provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills.

(4) To provide universities with a method to recognize and give academic credit to applicants seeking admission.

(5) To prepare pupils with 21st century skills.

(6) To recognize and promote world language instruction in public schools.

(7) To strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and languages of a community.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 865, Sec. 22. (AB 2319) Effective January 1, 2019.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 6. State Seal of Biliteracy

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 3. Diplomas and Certificates > 6. State Seal of Biliteracy


text:
(a) The State Seal of Biliteracy certifies attainment of a high level of proficiency by a graduating high school pupil in one or more languages, in addition to English, and certifies that the graduate meets the following criteria for being proficient in English and one or more languages other than English:

(1) Proficiency in English shall be demonstrated through one of the following requirements:

(A) Completion of all English language arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above in those classes. Completion of one or more English language arts courses at a public higher education institution or an independent institution of higher education, as described in subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 66010, with a grade equivalent to a grade point average of 3.0 or above may also be used to satisfy one or more course requirements of this subparagraph.

(B) Passing the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress for English language arts, or any successor test, administered in grade 11, at or above the “standard met” achievement level, or at the achievement level determined by the Superintendent for any successor test.

(C) (i) Passing an English Advanced Placement examination with a score of 3 or higher or an English International Baccalaureate examination with a score of 4 or higher.

(ii) For purposes of clause (i), “English Advanced Placement” means Advanced Placement English Language and Composition, Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition, or Advanced Placement Seminar.

(D) Achieving a score of 480 or higher on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT.

(2) Proficiency in one or more languages other than English shall be demonstrated through one of the following requirements:

(A) Passing a world language Advanced Placement examination with a score of 3 or higher, passing a world language International Baccalaureate examination with a score of 4 or higher, or passing a world language ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) with scores of Intermediate Mid or higher.

(B) Successful completion of a four-year course of study of content in a world language at a high school or higher level attaining an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above in that course of study, and oral proficiency in the language comparable to that required pursuant to subparagraph (A). Pupils may also satisfy the requirements of this subparagraph by either or both of the following:

(i) Successful completion of high school level courses completed in another country in a language other than English with the equivalent of an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above, as verified through a transcript.

(ii) Completion of one or more world language courses at a public higher education institution or an independent institution of higher education, as described in subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 66010, with a grade equivalent to a grade point average of 3.0 or above and oral proficiency in the language comparable to that required pursuant to subparagraph (A), as verified through a transcript.

(C) (i) If no Advanced Placement examination or off-the-shelf language test exists and the school district can certify to the Superintendent that the test meets the rigor of a four-year high school course of study in that world language, passing a school district language examination that, at a minimum, assesses speaking, reading, and writing in a language other than English at the proficient level or higher. If a school district offers a language examination in a language in which an Advanced Placement examination or off-the-shelf language test exists, the school district language examination shall be approved by the Superintendent for the purpose of determining proficiency in a language other than English.

(ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), a pupil who seeks to qualify for the State Seal of Biliteracy through a language that is not characterized by listening, speaking, or reading, or for which there is no written system, shall pass an assessment on the modalities that characterize communication in that language at the proficient level or higher.

(b) If a pupil in any of grades 9 to 12, inclusive, is an English learner, the pupil shall meet both of the following criteria in order to qualify for the State Seal of Biliteracy:

(1) Attain an Oral Language composite score of level 4 on the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California, or any successor English oral language proficiency assessment, in transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive.

(2) Demonstrate proficiency in English through one of the accomplishments listed in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) and demonstrate proficiency in one or more languages other than English through one of the accomplishments listed in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).

(c) For languages in which an Advanced Placement test is not available, the Superintendent may provide a listing of equivalent summative tests that school districts may use in place of an Advanced Placement test for purposes of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a). A school district may provide the Superintendent with a list of equivalent summative tests that the school district uses in place of an Advanced Placement test for purposes of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a). The Superintendent may use lists received from school districts in developing the Superintendent’s list of equivalent summative tests.

(d) For purposes of this article, “world language” has the same meaning as defined in Section 91.

(e) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), for those pupils on track to graduate in 2022 and who were unable to take the assessment identified in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), the Superintendent may use the assessments identified in Section 121 of Chapter 44 of the Statutes of 2021 to determine whether a pupil obtained the achievement level on a grade 11 English language arts assessment for the purposes of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 326, Sec. 1. (AB 370) Effective January 1, 2024.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 6. State Seal of Biliteracy


text:
The Superintendent shall do both of the following:

(a) Prepare and deliver to participating school districts an appropriate insignia to be affixed to the diploma or transcript of the pupil indicating that the pupil has been awarded a State Seal of Biliteracy by the Superintendent.

(b) Provide other information it deems necessary for school districts to successfully participate in the program.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2011, Ch. 618, Sec. 2. (AB 815) Effective January 1, 2012.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 6. State Seal of Biliteracy


text:
A school district that participates in the program under this article shall do both of the following:

(a) Maintain appropriate records in order to identify pupils who have earned a State Seal of Biliteracy.

(b) Affix the appropriate insignia to the diploma or transcript of each pupil who earns a State Seal of Biliteracy.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 6. State Seal of Biliteracy


text: It is the intent of the Legislature that no fee be charged to a pupil pursuant to this article.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 6. State Seal of Biliteracy


text: It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a State Seal of Civic Engagement to encourage, and create pathways for, pupils in elementary and secondary schools to become civically engaged in democratic governmental institutions at the local, state, and national levels.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 604, Sec. 1. (AB 24) Effective January 1, 2018.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 7. State Seal of Civic Engagement

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 3. Diplomas and Certificates > 7. State Seal of Civic Engagement


text:
(a) On or before January 1, 2020, the Superintendent shall recommend to the state board criteria for awarding a State Seal of Civic Engagement to pupils who have demonstrated excellence in civics education and participation and have demonstrated an understanding of the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, and the democratic system of government. In developing criteria for the State Seal of Civic Engagement, the Superintendent shall incorporate the Six Proven Practices for Effective Civic Learning, developed by the Education Commission of the States, and any and all other best practices for civic learning and engagement. In developing criteria for the State Seal of Civic Engagement, the Superintendent shall also consult with a diverse group of credentialed, current, classroom teachers who teach the subject of history-social science, including government, in secondary schools. The Superintendent shall also consider including criteria based on each of the following:

(1) Successful completion of history, government, and civics courses, including courses that incorporate character education.

(2) Voluntary participation in community service or extracurricular activities.

(3) Any other related requirements as it deems appropriate.

(b) In developing criteria pursuant to subdivision (a), the Superintendent shall ensure, to the greatest extent feasible, that the criteria:

(1) Provide all pupils with an opportunity to earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement.

(2) Recognize pupil excellence or outstanding achievement.

(3) Are not based primarily on pupil achievement that is already recognized through grades or other standard measures of pupil achievement.

(4) To the extent possible, result in a seal that confers some benefit to pupils beyond secondary school.

(c) On or before January 31, 2021, the state board shall adopt, reject, or modify the criteria recommended by the Superintendent pursuant to subdivision (a).

(d) When the state board next revises the criteria for the State Seal of Civic Engagement, the Superintendent shall recommend revised criteria to the state board for awarding the State Seal of Civic Engagement, requiring, along with meeting all other eligibility criteria for the award, a demonstrated understanding of the importance of preserving democracy and its vital institutions, including, but not limited to, the free press, free access to libraries, compulsory education, and the federalist system. The Superintendent shall limit recommendations to content that is not already included in the criteria established pursuant to subdivision (c).

(e) School district participation in this program is voluntary.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 692, Sec. 1. (AB 422) Effective January 1, 2026.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 7. State Seal of Civic Engagement


text:
The Superintendent shall do both of the following:

(a) Prepare and deliver to participating school districts an appropriate insignia to be affixed to the diploma or transcript of the pupil indicating that the pupil has been awarded a State Seal of Civic Engagement by the Superintendent.

(b) Provide other information he or she deems necessary for school districts to successfully participate in the program.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 7. State Seal of Civic Engagement


text:
A school district that participates in the program under this article shall do both of the following:

(a) Maintain appropriate records in order to identify pupils who have earned a State Seal of Civic Engagement.

(b) Affix the appropriate insignia to the diploma or transcript of each pupil who earns a State Seal of Civic Engagement.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 7. State Seal of Civic Engagement


text: No fee shall be charged to a pupil to receive a State Seal of Civic Engagement.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 7. State Seal of Civic Engagement


text:
(a) The California Serves Program is hereby established under the administration of the department, in collaboration with CaliforniaVolunteers, for purposes of promoting access to effective service learning for pupils in grade 12 who are enrolled at participating local educational agencies, with the goal of expanding access for high school graduates in obtaining a State Seal of Civic Engagement through service learning.

(b) The department, in partnership with CaliforniaVolunteers, shall do all of the following:

(1) Review the available evidence on ways to incorporate effective service learning for pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, and, on or before January 1, 2024, provide recommendations to the Legislature, consistent with Section 9795 of the Government Code and consistent with the recommended criteria and implementation guidance for the State Seal of Civic Engagement pursuant to this article, on evidence-based strategies to expand access to high-quality service learning programs in California high schools and promote equitable access to these programs.

(2) On or before January 1, 2024, develop and post on the department’s and CaliforniaVolunteers’ internet websites evidence-based strategies for expanding access to high-quality service learning programs that may be used by teachers and local educational agencies.

(3) Develop model uniform metrics, based on the recommended criteria for the State Seal of Civic Engagement, for the measurement of pupil progress toward academic, civic engagement, and other learning objectives. Civic learning objectives shall include the final goal of awarding of the State Seal of Civic Engagement pursuant to this article.

(4) Use the evidence, recommendations, and metrics identified pursuant to paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, in the administration of the California Serves Program.

(c) (1) Commencing with the 2022–23 fiscal year, the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) is hereby appropriated, each fiscal year, from the General Fund to the department for annual awards to local educational agencies for California Serves Program grants pursuant to this section.

(2) The department, in collaboration with CaliforniaVolunteers, shall establish the California Serves Program grant program, develop criteria for the awarding of grants and an application process, request necessary data from participating local educational agencies, and award grants consistent with this section.

(d) In order for a local educational agency to be eligible for a grant under this section, at least 55 percent of the pupils enrolled in the applicant local educational agency shall be unduplicated pupils as defined in Section 2574 or 42238.02, as applicable.

(e) Eligible local educational agencies who receive grants pursuant to this grant program shall receive an amount of up to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) annually.

(f) Allowable uses for funding allocated pursuant to this grant program include all of the following:

(1) Paid planning time for teachers to increase the use of service learning in their instruction.

(2) Professional development for school and local educational agency administrators and classroom teachers on service learning.

(3) Purchase of instructional materials to aid in the use of service learning in instruction.

(4) Participation costs of pupils and school personnel, including any materials or travel expenses related to service learning activities.

(5) Personnel costs for coordination of service learning at a local educational agency or a schoolsite of a local educational agency.

(6) Participation costs associated with grant program evaluation.

(g) Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, on or before November 5, 2024, and annually thereafter, the department, in partnership with CaliforniaVolunteers, shall submit a report on the program to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature, consistent with Section 9795 of the Government Code. The report shall include an evaluation of the program using the model uniform metrics established by the department in partnership with CaliforniaVolunteers pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), and shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following information:

(1) The number of participating pupils, schools, and local educational agencies, and the grant awards for each grantee.

(2) The demographics of pupils engaged in service learning as a result of the grant.

(3) The impact of the service performed by pupils and school staff as a result of the grant.

(4) Pupil outcomes in the academic, civic engagement, and other learning objectives measured by the model uniform metrics identified by the department in partnership with CaliforniaVolunteers pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), including, but not limited to, obtaining the State Seal of Civic Engagement.

(h) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “CaliforniaVolunteers” means CaliforniaVolunteers as established by Executive Order No. S-24-06.

(2) “Local educational agency” means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.

(3) “Program” means the California Serves Program established pursuant to subdivision (a).

(4) “Service learning” means an educational approach that intentionally combines meaningful community service activities with instruction and reflection to support pupil progress toward academic and civic engagement learning objectives while meeting societal needs.

(i) For purposes of making the computations required by Section 8 of Article XVI of the California Constitution, the appropriations made by subdivision (c) shall be deemed to be “General Fund revenues appropriated for school districts,” as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 41202, for the fiscal year in which the appropriation is made, and included within the “total allocations to school districts and community college districts from General Fund proceeds of taxes appropriated pursuant to Article XIIIB,” as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 41202, for the fiscal year in which the appropriation is made.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 52, Sec. 71. (AB 181) Effective June 30, 2022.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 7. State Seal of Civic Engagement


text:
(a) (1) A teacher shall not give instruction and a school district shall not sponsor any activity that promotes a discriminatory bias on the basis of race or ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, nationality, or sexual orientation, or pursuant to a characteristic listed in Section 220.

(2) Discriminatory bias in instruction and school-sponsored activities does not require a showing of direct harm to members of a protected group. Members of a protected group do not need to be present while the discriminatory bias is occurring for the act to be considered discriminatory bias.

(3) If the governing board or body of a local educational agency finds that instruction or school-sponsored activities are discriminatory pursuant to this section, corrective action shall be taken.

(b) Teacher instruction shall be factually accurate and align with the adopted curriculum and standards as described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 60200, and be consistent with accepted standards of professional responsibility, rather than advocacy, personal opinion, bias, or partisanship.

(c) Local educational agencies shall ensure that parents and guardians have access to materials in a reasonable amount of time pursuant to Section 49091.10 and the California Public Records Act, as set forth in Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code.

(d) For purposes of this section, “local educational agency” means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 428, Sec. 7. (AB 715) Effective January 1, 2026.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

chapter: 4. Prohibited Instruction

article: 1. Prejudices

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 4. Prohibited Instruction > 1. Prejudices


text:
(a) The state board and any governing board shall not adopt any textbooks or other instructional materials for use in the public schools that contain any matter reflecting adversely upon persons on the basis of race or ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, nationality, or sexual orientation, or because of a characteristic listed in Section 220, or that violates Section 243, 244, 51500, or 60044.

(b) Instructional materials, including, but not limited to, materials adopted by the state board or any governing body, shall be factually accurate and reflect the adopted curriculum and standards as described in subdivision (c) of Section 60200, and be consistent with accepted standards of professional responsibility, rather than advocacy, personal opinion, bias, or partisanship.

(c) A governing board shall not prohibit the continued use of an appropriately adopted textbook, instructional material, or curriculum on the basis that it contains inclusive and diverse perspectives, including those in compliance with Sections 51204.5, 51933, 51934, and 60040.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 428, Sec. 8. (AB 715) Effective January 1, 2026.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 1. Prejudices


text: Except as to textbooks approved by the state board or a county board of education, no bulletin, circular, or publication may be used as the basis of study or recitation or to supplement the regular school studies if the material contained in the bulletin, circular, or publication has been disapproved by the governing board of the school district in which the school is situated.

history: (History: Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 2. Prohibited Materials

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 4. Prohibited Instruction > 2. Prohibited Materials


text: Nothing in this code shall be construed to prevent, or exclude from the public schools, references to religion or references to or the use of religious literature, dance, music, theatre, and visual arts or other things having a religious significance when such references or uses do not constitute instruction in religious principles or aid to any religious sect, church, creed, or sectarian purpose and when such references or uses are incidental to or illustrative of matters properly included in the course of study.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 734, Sec. 33. Effective October 11, 2001.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 2. Prohibited Materials


text:
The Legislature finds that the use by any person, including a pupil, of any electronic listening or recording device in any classroom of the elementary and secondary schools without the prior consent of the teacher and the principal of the school given to promote an educational purpose disrupts and impairs the teaching process and discipline in the elementary and secondary schools, and such use is prohibited. Any person, other than a pupil, who willfully violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Any pupil violating this section shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

This section shall not be construed as affecting the powers, rights, and liabilities arising from the use of electronic listening or recording devices as provided for by any other provision of law.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 2. Prohibited Materials


text: No test, questionnaire, survey, or examination containing any questions about the pupil’s personal beliefs or practices in sex, family life, morality, and religion, or any questions about the pupil’s parents’ or guardians’ beliefs and practices in sex, family life, morality, and religion, shall be administered to any pupil in kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, unless the parent or guardian of the pupil is notified in writing that this test, questionnaire, survey, or examination is to be administered and the parent or guardian of the pupil gives written permission for the pupil to take this test, questionnaire, survey, or examination.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 275, Sec. 4. Effective August 2, 1995.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 2. Prohibited Materials


text: If a local educational agency administers a voluntary survey that already includes questions pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity, the local educational agency shall not remove those questions.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 744, Sec. 2. (AB 677) Effective January 1, 2018.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 2. Prohibited Materials


text:
(a) During school hours, and within one hour before the time of opening and within one hour after the time of closing of school, pupils of the public school shall not be solicited on school premises by teachers or others to subscribe or contribute to the funds of, to become members of, or to work for, any organization not directly under the control of the school authorities, unless the organization is a nonpartisan, charitable organization organized for charitable purposes by an act of Congress or under the laws of the state, the purpose of the solicitation is nonpartisan and charitable, and the solicitation has been approved by the county board of education or by the governing board of the school district in which the school is located.

(b) A licensed dentist who provides voluntary dental health screening programs for pupils on school premises, shall not solicit a pupil, or the pupil’s parent or guardian, or encourage, or advise treatment or consultation for the pupil by the licensed dentist, or any entity in which the licensed dentist has a financial interest, for any condition discovered in the course of the dental health screening. It is the intent of the Legislature that no licensed dentist use voluntary dental health screening programs for the generation of referrals or for financial benefit. The Legislature does not intend to deny or limit freedom of choice in the selection of an appropriate dental provider for treatment or consultation.

(c) A licensed optometrist who provides voluntary vision testing programs for pupils on school premises, shall not solicit a pupil, or the pupil’s parent or guardian, or encourage, or advise treatment or consultation for the pupil by the licensed optometrist, or any entity in which the licensed optometrist has a financial interest, for any condition discovered in the course of the vision testing. It is the intent of the Legislature that no licensed optometrist use voluntary vision testing programs for the generation of referrals or for financial benefit. The Legislature does not intend to deny freedom of choice in the selection of an appropriate vision care provider for treatment or consultation.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the solicitation of pupils of the public school on school premises by pupils of that school for any otherwise lawful purpose.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 83, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1997.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3. Solicitations

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 4. Prohibited Instruction > 3. Solicitations


text:
No person shall solicit any other person to contribute to any fund or to purchase any item of personal property, upon the representation that the money received is to be used wholly or in part for the benefit of any public school or the student body of any public school, unless such person obtains the prior written approval of either the governing board of the school district in which such solicitation is to be made or the governing board of the school district having jurisdiction over the school or student body represented to be benefited by such solicitation, or the designee of either of such boards.

The prohibitions of this section shall not apply with respect to any solicitation or contribution the total proceeds of which are delivered to a public school, nor to a solicitation of a transfer to be effected by a testamentary act.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3. Solicitations


text:
No teacher giving instruction in any school, or on any property belonging to any agencies included in the public school system, shall advocate or teach communism with the intent to indoctrinate or to inculcate in the mind of any pupil a preference for communism.

In prohibiting the advocacy or teaching of communism with the intent of indoctrinating or inculcating a preference in the mind of any pupil for such doctrine, the Legislature does not intend to prevent the teaching of the facts about communism. Rather, the Legislature intends to prevent the advocacy of, or inculcation and indoctrination into, communism as is hereinafter defined, for the purpose of undermining patriotism for, and the belief in, the government of the United States and of this state.

For the purposes of this section, communism is a political theory that the presently existing form of government of the United States or of this state should be changed, by force, violence, or other unconstitutional means, to a totalitarian dictatorship which is based on the principles of communism as expounded by Marx, Lenin, and Stalin.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 4. Advocacy or Teaching of Communism

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 4. Prohibited Instruction > 4. Advocacy or Teaching of Communism


text:
In the public elementary and high schools or in public elementary and high school school-sponsored activities and classes held elsewhere than on school premises, live vertebrate animals shall not, as part of a scientific experiment or any purpose whatever:

(a) Be experimentally medicated or drugged in a manner to cause painful reactions or induce painful or lethal pathological conditions.

(b) Be injured through any other treatments, including, but not limited to, anesthetization or electric shock.

Live animals on the premises of a public elementary or high school shall be housed and cared for in a humane and safe manner.

The provisions of this section are not intended to prohibit or constrain vocational instruction in the normal practices of animal husbandry.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 5. Humane Treatment of Animals

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 4. Prohibited Instruction > 5. Humane Treatment of Animals


text:
For purposes of this article, the following terms have the following meanings:

(a) “Asynchronous interactive instructional program” means a program in which a pupil and teacher interact using online resources, including, but not limited to, discussion boards, Web sites, and e-mail. However, the pupil and teacher need not necessarily be online at the same time.

(b) “Internet” means the global information system that is logically linked together by a globally unique address space based on the Internet Protocol (IP), or its subsequent extensions, and that is able to support communications using the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite, or provides, uses, or makes accessible, either publicly or privately, high-level services layered on the communications and related infrastructure described in this subdivision.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 429, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2004.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 1.5. The Online Classroom Pilot Program

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 5. Authorized Classes and Courses of Instruction > 1.5. The Online Classroom Pilot Program


text:
(a) The Mathematics Readiness Challenge program is hereby established.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the program support the implementation and evaluation of grade 12 experiences that are designed to prepare pupils for placement into college-level courses in mathematics.

(c) Funds appropriated in Item 6100-195-0890 of Section 2.00 of the Budget Act of 2016 shall be available for purposes of this article.

(d) (1) The program shall be administered by the department, and shall adhere to the minimum criteria, standards, and requirements that are applicable pursuant to Part A (commencing with Section 201) of Title II of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (Public Law 107-110).

(2) The department shall make awards to eligible partnerships selected by a committee consisting of three representatives, with one from each of the following:

(A) The department.

(B) The California State University.

(C) The California Mathematics Project established pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 99200) of Chapter 5 of Part 65 of Division 14 of Title 3.

(3) The committee shall consult with the president of the state board or his or her designee before selecting eligible partnerships pursuant to this article.

(e) A grant made pursuant to this article shall only be made to an eligible partnership that includes participation by each of the following entities:

(1) At least one division of a postsecondary educational institution that prepares teachers and principals.

(2) At least one school of arts and sciences of a postsecondary educational institution.

(3) At least one high-need local educational agency.

(f) The department shall award grants of one million two hundred eighty thousand dollars ($1,280,000) each to five eligible partnerships selected by the committee.

(g) It is the intent of the Legislature that all of the following occur:

(1) These funds support different kinds of grade 12 experiences to allow for the evaluation of the effectiveness of various experiences.

(2) The grade 12 experiences focus on the needs of pupils who have completed three years of college-preparatory mathematics courses but are not expected to be deemed ready for college-level mathematics courses upon matriculation to a postsecondary educational institution.

(3) The grade 12 experiences be implemented by no later than the 2017–18 school year.

(h) The committee shall select eligible partnerships such that each eligible partnership that receives a grant would implement a grade 12 experience sufficiently different from those that would be implemented by other eligible partnerships that receive awards. The committee shall give preference to partnerships that include local educational agencies whose high school graduates have high mathematics remediation rates based on California State University freshmen enrollment data.

(i) Grants awarded pursuant to this article shall be used for professional development for teachers, paraprofessionals, and principals for purposes of this article and for the development and provision of assistance necessary for the professional development of those individuals, consistent with federal law.

(j) As a condition of receiving a grant award, eligible partnerships shall commit to both of the following:

(1) Making any new course materials, including curriculum, widely available or available as open educational resources.

(2) Sharing information about their policies and practices and evidence regarding the effectiveness of those policies and practices in preparing pupils for college-level courses in mathematics with other entities within their regions and across the state.

(k) On or before November 30, 2018, the Trustees of the California State University shall report to the Director of Finance and the Legislature, in conformance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, any policy changes made based on evidence collected through the program.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 29, Sec. 21. (SB 828) Effective June 27, 2016.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 2. Mathematics Readiness Challenge

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 5. Authorized Classes and Courses of Instruction > 2. Mathematics Readiness Challenge


text: The governing board of a school district which maintains high schools and a continuation education program may establish and maintain evening high school programs in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, for minors subject to Section 48200.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3. Evening High School for Minors

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 5. Authorized Classes and Courses of Instruction > 3. Evening High School for Minors


text: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a governing board to which this article applies may establish the number of, and the specific days of the week on which such a program shall be in session. The governing board may further prescribe the number of hours during which the program shall be in session.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

chapter: 5. Authorized Classes and Courses of Instruction

article: 3. Evening High School for Minors


text:
An evening high school program shall consist of courses similar to the curriculum of the regular high schools of the district.

Credit for coursework satisfactorily completed shall be acceptable by all of the regular day high schools of the district.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3. Evening High School for Minors


text: The attendance of a minor at an evening high school program shall be voluntary, but the written permission of the minor’s parent or guardian is required.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3. Evening High School for Minors


text: The attendance of a pupil in an evening high school program shall not result in the crediting of more than one unit of average daily attendance during the regular school year, even if the pupil also attends one or more classes in the regular high schools of the district.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 3. Evening High School for Minors


text: The governing body of any elementary school district may establish and maintain, in connection with any school under its jurisdiction, special day and evening classes and summer schools, consisting of special day classes or special evening classes or both, for the purpose of giving instruction in any of the branches of study prescribed and authorized for the elementary schools.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 5. Authorized Classes and Courses of Instruction > 4. Elementary School Special Day and Evening Classes


text: These classes may be convened at the hours and for the length of time during the school day or evening, and at the period and for the length of time during the school year as may be determined by the governing authority.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1986, Ch. 1124, Sec. 7.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 4. Elementary School Special Day and Evening Classes


text: The evening elementary schools and the special day and evening classes of the elementary schools of any school district shall be open for the admission of such minors and adults as in the judgment of the governing board of the school district maintaining the schools or classes may profit from the instruction offered.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION


text: The governing board of a district maintaining one or more secondary schools may, subject to such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the State Board of Education and upon the authorization of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, provide pupils enrolled in the regular day schools of the district with instruction by correspondence provided by the University of California, or other university or college in California accredited for teacher training under this code, in subjects included within or related to the course of study offered in the school and which for good reason cannot be taken by the pupil, and pay the cost thereof. Such instruction when provided for a pupil must be a part of the program of study approved for such pupil.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 5. Instruction by Correspondence

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 5. Authorized Classes and Courses of Instruction > 5. Instruction by Correspondence


text: Notwithstanding anything in Section 51740 to the contrary, the governing board of any school district may, subject to such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the State Board of Education and upon the authorization of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, provide veterans enrolled in schools or classes of the district with instruction by correspondence, provided by any university or college referred to in Section 51740 or by any other university, college, school, institution or organization approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction in subjects which may be necessary to adjust the veteran to an occupation and which, for good reason, cannot be given by the school, and pay for the cost thereof.

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 5. Instruction by Correspondence


text:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares that by offering a range of quality educational options, including classroom-based, hybrid, and nonclassroom-based programs, local educational agencies can better tailor instruction to pupils, thereby improving academic outcomes while maximizing enrollment.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies offer educational programs that best serve the needs of their pupils.

(c) It is also the intent of the Legislature to encourage local educational agencies, when adopting a written policy pursuant to Section 51747 or 51749.5, to consider offering more than one independent study model for short- and long-term placements in accordance with Sections 51747, 51747.5, and 51749.6.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 52, Sec. 72. (AB 181) Effective June 30, 2022.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 5.5. Independent Study

path: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION > 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES > 28. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS > 5. Authorized Classes and Courses of Instruction > 5.5. Independent Study


text:
(a) Commencing with the 1990–91 school year, a local educational agency may offer independent study to meet the educational needs of pupils in accordance with the requirements of this article. For the 2021–22 school year only, the governing board of a school district or a county office of education shall offer independent study to meet the educational needs of pupils. Educational opportunities offered through independent study may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(1) Special assignments extending the content of regular courses of instruction.

(2) Individualized study in a particular area of interest or in a subject not currently available in the regular school curriculum.

(3) Continuing and special study during travel.

(4) Volunteer community service activities and leadership opportunities that support and strengthen pupil achievement.

(5) Individualized study for a pupil whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction, as determined by the parent or guardian of the pupil, or a pupil who is unable to attend in-person instruction due to a quarantine due to exposure to, or infection with, COVID-19, pursuant to local or state public health guidance.

(b) Beginning July 1, 2021, with the exception of pupils participating in independent study programs due to an emergency, as described in Sections 41422 and 46392, not more than 10 percent of the pupils participating in an opportunity school or program, or a continuation high school, calculated as specified by the department, shall be eligible for apportionment credit for independent study pursuant to this article. A pupil who is pregnant or is a parent who is the primary caregiver for one or more of their children shall not be counted within the 10 percent cap.

(c) An individual with exceptional needs, as defined in Section 56026, may participate in independent study, if the pupil’s individualized education program developed pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 56340) of Chapter 4 of Part 30 specifically provides for that participation. If a parent or guardian of an individual with exceptional needs requests independent study pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (a), the pupil’s individualized education program team shall make an individualized determination as to whether the pupil can receive a free appropriate public education in an independent study placement. A pupil’s inability to work independently, the pupil’s need for adult support, or the pupil’s need for special education or related services shall not preclude the individualized education program team from determining that the pupil can receive a free appropriate education in an independent study placement.

(d) A temporarily disabled pupil shall not receive individual instruction pursuant to Section 48206.3 through independent study.

(e) No course included among the courses required for high school graduation under Section 51225.3 shall be offered exclusively through independent study.

(f) The governing board of a school district or county office of education may meet the requirement to offer independent study for the 2021–22 school year described in subdivision (a) by contracting with a county office of education or by entering into an interdistrict transfer agreement with another school district pursuant to Section 46600.

(g) The requirement to offer independent study for the 2021–22 school year described in subdivision (a) may be waived for school districts by the county superintendent of schools in the county in which the school district is located and waived for county offices of education and school districts in single-district counties by the Superintendent if the school district or county office of education, as applicable, demonstrates both of the following:

(1) Offering independent study would create an unreasonable fiscal burden on the school district or county office of education due to low numbers of pupils participating or other extenuating circumstances.

(2) The governing board of the school district or county office of education does not have the option to enter into an interdistrict transfer agreement with another school district or to contract with a county office of education to provide an independent study option, as described in subdivision (f).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 52, Sec. 73. (AB 181) Effective June 30, 2022.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 5.5. Independent Study


text:
For purposes of this article the following definitions apply:

(a) “Live interaction” means interaction between the pupil and local educational agency classified or certificated staff, and may include peers, provided for the purpose of maintaining school connectedness, including, but not limited to, wellness checks, progress monitoring, provision of services, and instruction. This interaction may take place in person, or in the form of internet or telephonic communication.

(b) “Local educational agency” means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.

(c) “Pupil-parent-educator conference” means a meeting involving, at a minimum, all parties who signed the pupil’s written independent study agreement pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 51747 or the written learning agreement pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 51749.6.

(d) “Synchronous instruction” means classroom-style instruction or designated small group or one-on-one instruction delivered in person, or in the form of internet or telephonic communications, and involving live two-way communication between the teacher and pupil. Synchronous instruction shall be provided by a teacher or teachers of record for that pupil pursuant to Section 51747.5 or the certificated employee of the local educational agency providing instruction for course-based independent study.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 52, Sec. 74. (AB 181) Effective June 30, 2022.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 5.5. Independent Study


text:
(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the ratio of average daily attendance for independent study pupils 18 years of age or less for a school district or county office of education, and for independent study pupils regardless of age for a charter school, to full-time equivalent certificated employees responsible for independent study, calculated as specified by the department, shall be in compliance with one of the following:

(A) It shall not exceed the equivalent ratio of average daily attendance to full-time equivalent certificated employees providing instruction in other educational programs operated by the school district, county office of education, or charter school.

(B) It shall not exceed the equivalent prior year ratio of average daily attendance to full-time equivalent certificated employees for all other educational programs operated by the high school or unified school district with the largest average daily attendance of pupils in the county or the collectively bargained alternative ratio used by that high school or unified school district in the prior year. In the case of a charter school serving pupils in more than one county, the ratio shall not exceed the ratio of the high school or unified school district with the average daily attendance of pupils in the county in which the chartering authority is located. The computation of the ratios shall be performed annually by the reporting agency at the time of, and in connection with, the second principal apportionment report to the Superintendent. A high school or unified school district shall annually report the attendance ratios to the county superintendent of schools by a date established by the county superintendent of schools. The county superintendent of schools shall annually report the attendance ratios on their internet website.

(C) It shall not exceed a fixed average-daily-attendance-to-certificated-employee ratio of 25 to 1, or a fixed ratio of less than 25 pupils per certificated employee.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a new higher or lower ratio for all other educational programs offered by a school district, county office of education, or charter school may be negotiated in a collective bargaining agreement, or a memorandum of understanding is entered into that indicates an existing collective bargaining agreement contains an alternative average daily attendance ratio.

(b) Only those units of average daily attendance for independent study that reflect a pupil-teacher ratio that does not exceed the ratios described in subdivision (a) shall be eligible for apportionment pursuant to Section 2575 for county offices of education, and Section 42238.05 for school districts. This section does not prevent a school district or county office of education from serving additional units of average daily attendance greater than the ratios described in subdivision (a), except that those additional units shall not be funded pursuant to Section 2575 or 42238.05, as applicable. If a school district, charter school, or county office of education has a memorandum of understanding to provide instruction in coordination with the school district, charter school, or county office of education at which a pupil is enrolled, the ratios that shall apply for purposes of this paragraph are the ratios for the local educational agency providing the independent study program to the pupil pursuant to Section 51749.5.

(c) The calculations performed for purposes of this section shall not include either of the following:

(1) The average daily attendance generated by special education pupils enrolled in special day classes on a full-time basis, or the teachers of those classes.

(2) The average daily attendance or teachers in necessary small schools that are eligible to receive funding pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 42280) of Chapter 7 of Part 24 of Division 3.

(d) Commencing with the 2021–22 fiscal year Guide for Annual Audits of K–12 Local Education Agencies and State Compliance Reporting, the Controller shall incorporate verification of the ratios included in this section, including fiscal penalties for noncompliance as described in this section.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2026, Ch. 65, Sec. 103. (AB 126) Effective July 9, 2026.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 5.5. Independent Study


text:
It is the intent of the Legislature that school districts and county offices of education offering independent study shall provide appropriate existing services and resources to enable pupils to complete their independent study successfully and shall ensure the same access to all existing services and resources in the school in which the pupil is enrolled pursuant to Section 51748 as is available to all other pupils in the school. In addition, the services and resources may include, but need not be limited to, any of the following:

(a) A designated learning center or study area staffed by appropriately trained personnel.

(b) The services of qualified personnel to assess the achievement, abilities, interests, aptitudes, and needs of participating pupils to determine each of the following:

(1) Whether full-time independent study is the most appropriate placement for the pupil being referred.

(2) If the answer to paragraph (1) is affirmative, the determination of the most appropriate individualized plan and resources to be made available to pupils enrolled in full-time independent study.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 52, Sec. 75. (AB 181) Effective June 30, 2022.)

title: 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 5.5. Independent Study