Legislature Passes Package of Bills Advancing Move to Common Core and Next Generation Standards
SACRAMENTO—Bills backed by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson to take major steps forward in updating how schools prepare students for success in college and careers are now on their way to the Governor's desk, Torlakson announced today.
In addition to Assembly Bill 484, which would overhaul the state's testing system and passed the Legislature Wednesday, lawmakers also approved Senate Bill 201 
, AB 899 , and SB 300 . The first two bills authorize the State Board of Education to move forward on aligning the state's English language development standards with the Common Core English language arts and math standards.
, AB 899 , and SB 300 . The first two bills authorize the State Board of Education to move forward on aligning the state's English language development standards with the Common Core English language arts and math standards.SB 300 empowers the State Board of Education to move forward with developing a curriculum framework aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards. The Board adopted the standards at its September meeting—the first major update to science standards in 15 years, a decision that reflects major advances in not only science, but in the understanding of how students best learn.
"With more than 1.4 million English learners in our schools—about a quarter of our total student population—California has good reason to lead the way in considering their needs within the broader framework of English, math, and science learning," Torlakson said. "This is about reaching and teaching every child, and making sure they have the tools to succeed when they leave our classrooms, no matter where they come from or where they live."
All three bills will now go to Governor Brown for his signature.
"Taken together, these bills represent huge leaps forward for individual students and for education as a whole in California," Torlakson said. "Common Core and the Next Generation Science Standards—and the materials and tests that go with them—build on a great foundation, but recognize that students today need very different skills and knowledge than they did 15 years ago. I'm proud of California's leadership—and of our leaders in the Legislature and beyond."
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
California Education Leaders Continue to Support Assessment Overhaul Legislation
SACRAMENTO— California's education leaders are lending their support to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson's sponsored legislation that will accelerate the entrance of the state's testing program into the computer age:
Shelly Spiegel-Coleman, Executive Director of Californians Together: "Approval of AB 484 sends a clear message to every California school about our commitment to the urgent challenge ahead. It's time to put our assessments in sync with the work our schools are doing to shift to the Common Core and English Language Development Standards—and help all students meet the challenges of a changing world. AB 484 ensures our English learners are being educated with the continuation and ultimate realignment of the Primary Language Assessment."
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100