Two bills authored by Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) to assist youth have won approval from the State Legislature this week.
Legislation ensuring foster youth can attain their educational and economic goals passed the Legislature Aug. 30. AB 2656 waives the high school proficiency exam fee (GED) for students currently or formerly within the foster system. The American Civil Liberties Union, the California Teachers Association and the National Center for Youth Law all stand in support of the bill, according to O’Donnell’s office.
“As a teacher with over 20 years of experience, I know many foster kids face an uphill battle on the path toward graduation,” said O’Donnell, chair of the Assembly Education Committee. “AB 2656 will eliminate a significant financial barrier to make it easier for these students to pursue their academic goals.”
Only 50 percent of foster youth in the United States earn a high school diploma, and just 10 percent of those who graduate attend college, according to the Assemblymember’s office. The California High School Proficiency Exam is an alternate path to a high school diploma and graduation from high school. However, with costs ranging from $110 to $160, the exam can be financially prohibitive. AB 2656 would prohibit the California Department of Education, as well as any contractor or testing center, from charging foster youth and former foster youth to take the high school equivalency test.
Additionally, AB 2862, also by O’Donnell, which promotes visual and performing-arts education, has won the Legislature’s approval. The bill updates California’s academic standards to ensure students have access to modern curriculum and instructional materials in the arts.
“As a classroom teacher, I cannot overemphasize the critical role arts education plays in student success,” O’Donnell said. “Research shows that arts education contributes to higher test scores, reduces truancy, and lowers dropout rates.”
California’s Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) standards have not been updated since 2001 and are in dire need of revision so students can benefit from current curriculum, instruction, and instructional materials, according to O’Donnell’s office. AB 2862 authorizes the superintendent of Public Instruction, in conjunction with experts in arts instruction and the general public, to recommend updated VAPA standards to the State Board of Education. New standards would be adopted no later than Jan. 31, 2019. The bill is co-sponsored by the California Art Education Association as well as the California Music Educators Association and is supported by a wide variety of statewide education advocacy groups, according to the Assemblymember’s office.
Gov. Jerry Brown now has until Sept. 30 to sign the bills into law.
Source: O’Donnell’s office
