54690. (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the
partnership academies program has proven to be a highly effective
state-school-private sector partnership, providing combined academic
and occupational training to high school students who present a high
risk of dropping out of school, and motivating those students to stay
in school and graduate. Partnership academies are functioning in 45
high schools spread throughout the state, with occupational training
successfully offered in over 15 different skill fields, including
such diverse skills as electronics, computer technology, finance,
agribusiness, graphic arts and printing, international business, and
space. Partnership academies in San Mateo County have been honored
with two national awards for excellence, and the California
partnership academies have been given high accolades in various
textbooks and studies addressing vocational programs.
(b) The Legislature finds the partnership academies are in the
forefront of school efforts to integrate academic and vocational
education and that they can be effective in providing an integrated
learning program and high motivation toward pursuing skilled
occupational fields to students at risk of dropping out of school and
to students not motivated by the regular educational curriculum.
Further, the Legislature finds the partnership academies can make a
very positive contribution towards meeting the needs of the state for
a highly skilled and educated work force in the 21st century.
(c) Therefore, the Legislature hereby states its intent to expand
the number of partnership academies in this state's high schools,
hereafter to be known as California Partnership Academies; to broaden
the availability of these learning experiences to interested
students who do not meet the full criteria of "at-risk" students; and
to encourage the establishment of academies whose occupational
fields address the needs of developing technologies.
(d) For purposes of this article, "at-risk" students means
students enrolled in high school who are at risk of dropping out of
school, as indicated by at least three of the following criteria:
(1) Past record of irregular attendance.
(2) Past record of underachievement in which the student is at
least one year behind the coursework for the respective grade level.
(3) Past record of low motivation or a disinterest in the regular
school program.
(4) Disadvantaged economically.
(e) The State Department of Education may expend no more than five
percent of the funds received to carry out this article on
administrative expenses.
54690. (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the
partnership academies program has proven to be a highly effective
state-school-private sector partnership, providing combined academic
and occupational training to high school pupils who present a high
risk of dropping out of school, and motivating those pupils to stay
in school and graduate. Partnership academies are functioning in high
schools across the state, with occupational education and skills
development successfully offered in California's 15 different
industry sectors, including electronics, computer technology,
finance, agribusiness, alternative energy, environmental design and
construction, graphic arts and printing, international business, and
space. Partnership academies have been honored with national awards
for excellence, and the California partnership academies have been
given high accolades in various textbooks and studies addressing
career technical education programs.
(b) The Legislature finds the partnership academies are in the
forefront of school efforts to integrate academic and career
technical education and that they can be effective in providing an
integrated learning program and high motivation toward pursuing
skilled occupational fields to pupils at risk of dropping out of
school and to pupils not motivated by the regular educational
curriculum. Further, the Legislature finds the partnership academies
can make a very positive contribution towards meeting the needs of
the state for a highly skilled and educated workforce in the 21st
century.
(c) Therefore, the Legislature hereby states its intent to expand
the number of partnership academies in this state's high schools,
hereafter to be known as California Partnership Academies; to broaden
the availability of these learning experiences to interested pupils
who do not meet the criteria of "at-risk" pupils; and to encourage
the establishment of academies whose occupational fields address the
needs of developing technologies.
(d) For purposes of this article, an "at-risk" pupil means a pupil
enrolled in high school who is at risk of dropping out of school, as
indicated by at least three of the following criteria:
(1) Past record of irregular attendance. For purposes of this
section, "irregular attendance" means absence from school 20 percent
or more of the school year.
(2) Past record of underachievement in which the pupil is at least
one-third of a year behind the coursework for the respective grade
level, or as demonstrated by credits achieved.
(3) Past record of low motivation or a disinterest in the regular
school program.
(4) Disadvantaged economically.
(5) Scoring below basic or far below basic in mathematics or
English language arts on the standardized test administered pursuant
to Article 4 (commencing with Section 60640) of Chapter 5 of Part 33.
(6) Maintaining a grade point average of 2.2 or below, or the
equivalent of a C minus.
(e) Up to one-half of the pupils enrolled at a partnership academy
may be pupils who do not meet the criteria of "at-risk" pupils.
(f) The department may expend no more than 5 percent of the funds
received to carry out this article on administrative expenses.
54691. Commencing with the 1993-94 fiscal year, from the funds
appropriated for that purpose, the Superintendent of Public
Instruction shall issue grants to school districts maintaining high
schools that meet the specifications of Section 54692, for purposes
of planning, establishing, and maintaining academies, as follows:
(a) The superintendent may issue a maximum of 155 grants per year
for purposes of planning partnership academies. The Superintendent of
Public Instruction, when issuing the grants to school districts,
shall ensure that the grants are equitably distributed among
high-wealth and low-wealth school districts in urban, rural, and
suburban areas. Each planning grant shall be in the amount of fifteen
thousand dollars ($15,000).
(b) For the 1993-94 fiscal year, and each fiscal year thereafter,
the superintendent may issue grants for the implementation and
maintenance of existing academies or academies planned pursuant to
subdivision (a). Implementation and maintenance grants shall be
calculated in accordance with the following schedule:
(1) Districts operating academies may receive one thousand four
hundred dollars ($1,400) per year for each qualified student enrolled
in an academy during the first year of that academy's operation,
provided that no more than forty-two thousand dollars ($42,000) may
be granted to any one academy for the initial year.
(2) Districts operating academies may receive one thousand two
hundred dollars ($1,200) for each qualified student enrolled in an
academy during the second year of that academy's operation, provided
that no more than seventy-two thousand dollars ($72,000) may be
granted to any one academy for the second year.
(3) Districts operating academies may receive nine hundred dollars
($900) for each qualified student enrolled in an academy during the
third and following years of that academy's operation, provided that
no more than eighty-one thousand dollars ($81,000) may be granted to
any one academy for each fiscal year.
(c) For purposes of this article, a qualified student is a student
meeting the at-risk criteria specified in Section 54690 and who is
enrolled in an academy for the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade, obtains 90
percent of the credits each academic year in courses that are
required for graduation, and does any of the following:
(1) Successfully completes a school year during the 10th grade
with an attendance record of no less than 80 percent.
(2) Successfully completes a school year during the 11th grade
with an attendance record of no less than 80 percent.
(3) Successfully graduates after the 12th grade.
A student enrolled in an academy who successfully completes only
one semester with regard to enrollment, attendance, and credits
within the school year is considered qualified for that semester and
the district may receive one-half of the funds specified under
subdivision (b) for that student.
(d) (1) A school district operating an academy that is unable to
enroll enough at-risk students, as defined in Section 54690, to
constitute one-half of the participating students may enroll
non-at-risk students that meet any of the following criteria:
(A) Scoring in the 40th percentile or below in mathematics or
English language arts on the standardized test administered pursuant
to Article 4 (commencing with Section 60640) of Chapter 5 of Part 33.
(B) Maintaining a grade point average of 2.2 or below, or the
equivalent of a C-.
(C) Meeting any three of the four criteria set forth in
subdivision (d) of Section 54690.
(D) Fulfilling any of the actions described in paragraphs (1),
(2), or (3) of subdivision (c).
(2) Non-at-risk students enrolled pursuant to paragraph (1) may
not exceed one-half of the students enrolled in an academy.
(e) At the end of each school year, school districts that have
been approved to operate academies pursuant to this article shall
certify the following information to the Superintendent of Public
Instruction:
(1) The operation of each academy in accordance with this article,
including Sections 54692 and 54694.
(2) The number of qualified students enrolled during the just
completed school year, by grade level, for each academy operated by
the district.
(3) The amount of matching funds and the dollar value of in-kind
support made available to each academy in accordance with
subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 54692.
(f) The superintendent shall adjust each school district's grant
in accordance with the certification made to him or her pursuant to
subdivision (d) or in accordance with any discrepancies to the
certification that may be revealed by audit. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this section, the superintendent may advance up to 50
percent of the funds as he or she deems appropriate to districts that
are approved to operate, or plan to operate partnership academies.
(g) Funds granted to school districts pursuant to this article may
be expended without regard to fiscal year. However, the funds must
be expended for the maintenance and operation of academies.
54691. Commencing with the 1993-94 fiscal year, from the funds
appropriated for that purpose, the Superintendent shall issue grants
to school districts maintaining high schools that meet the
specifications of Section 54692, for purposes of planning,
establishing, and maintaining academies, as follows:
(a) The Superintendent may issue planning grants for purposes of
planning partnership academies. The Superintendent shall ensure that
the planning grants are equitably distributed among high-wealth and
low-wealth school districts in urban, rural, and suburban areas. Each
planning grant shall be in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars
($15,000).
(b) For the 1993-94 fiscal year, and each fiscal year thereafter,
the Superintendent may issue grants for the implementation and
maintenance of existing academies or academies planned pursuant to
subdivision (a). Implementation and maintenance grants shall be
calculated in accordance with the following schedule:
(1) Districts operating academies may receive one thousand four
hundred dollars ($1,400) per year for each qualified pupil enrolled
in an academy during the first year of that academy's operation,
provided that no more than forty-two thousand dollars ($42,000) may
be granted to any one academy for the initial year.
(2) Districts operating academies may receive one thousand two
hundred dollars ($1,200) for each qualified pupil enrolled in an
academy during the second year of that academy's operation, provided
that no more than seventy-two thousand dollars ($72,000) may be
granted to any one academy for the second year.
(3) Districts operating academies may receive nine hundred dollars
($900) for each qualified pupil enrolled in an academy during the
third and following years of that academy's operation, provided that
no more than eighty-one thousand dollars ($81,000) may be granted to
any one academy for each fiscal year.
(c) For purposes of this section, a qualified pupil is a pupil who
is enrolled in a partnership academy for the 10th, 11th, or 12th
grade, obtains 90 percent of the credits each academic year in
courses that are required for graduation, and does any of the
following:
(1) Successfully completes a school year during the 10th grade
with an attendance record of no less than 80 percent.
(2) Successfully completes a school year during the 11th grade
with an attendance record of no less than 80 percent.
(3) Successfully graduates after the 12th grade.
A pupil enrolled in an academy who successfully completes only one
semester with regard to enrollment, attendance, and credits within
the school year is considered qualified for that semester and the
district may receive one-half of the funds specified under
subdivision (b) for that pupil.
(d) At the end of each school year, school districts that have
been approved to operate academies pursuant to this article shall
certify the following information to the Superintendent:
(1) The operation of each academy in accordance with this article,
including Sections 54692 and 54694.
(2) The number of qualified pupils enrolled during the just
completed school year, by grade level, for each academy operated by
the district.
(3) The amount of matching funds and the dollar value of in-kind
support made available to each academy in accordance with
subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 54692.
(e) The Superintendent shall adjust each school district's grant
in accordance with the certification made to him or her pursuant to
subdivision (d) or in accordance with any discrepancies to the
certification that may be revealed by audit. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this section, the Superintendent may advance up to 50
percent of the funds as he or she deems appropriate to districts that
are approved to operate, or plan to operate partnership academies.
(f) Funds granted to school districts pursuant to this article may
be expended without regard to fiscal year. However, the funds must
be expended for the maintenance and operation of academies.
54692. In order to be eligible to receive funding pursuant to this
article, a district shall provide all of the following:
(a) An amount equal to a 100 percent match of all funds received
pursuant to this article in the form of direct and in-kind support
provided by the district.
(b) An amount equal to a 100 percent match of all funds received
pursuant to this article in the form of direct and in-kind support
provided by participating companies or other private sector
organizations.
(c) An assurance that state funds provided by the partnership
academies program shall be used only for the development, operation,
and support of partnership academies.
(d) An assurance that each academy will be established as a
"school within a school." Academy teachers shall work as a team in
planning, teaching, and troubleshooting program activities. Classes
in the academy program shall be limited to academy students as
specified in subdivision (d). Each participating district shall
establish an advisory committee consisting of individuals involved in
academy operations, including school district and school
administrators, lead teachers, and representatives of the private
sector.
(e) Assurance that each academy student will be provided with the
following:
(1) Instruction in at least three academic subjects each regular
school term that prepares the student for a regular high school
diploma. These subjects should contribute to an understanding of the
occupational field of the academy.
(2) A "laboratory class" related to the academy's occupational
field.
(3) A class schedule that limits the attendance to the classes
required in paragraphs (1) and (2) to pupils of the academy. Whenever
possible, these classes should be block scheduled in a cluster to
provide flexibility to academy teachers. During the 12th grade the
number of academic classes may vary.
(4) A mentor from the business community during the pupil's 11th
grade year.
(5) An internship or paid job related to the academy's
occupational field or work experience to improve employment skills,
during the summer following the 11th grade. A student that must
attend summer school for purposes of completing graduation
requirements is exempt from this paragraph.
(6) Additional motivational activities with private sector
involvement to encourage academic and occupational preparation.
(f) Assurance that academy teachers have a common planning period
to interchange student and educational information. Whenever
practical, the planning period should be in addition to the normal
planning period for full-time teachers and be supported as a part of
the district's matching funds.
54692. In order to be eligible to receive funding pursuant to this
article, a school district shall provide all of the following:
(a) An amount equal to a 100 percent match of all funds received
pursuant to this article in the form of direct and in-kind support
provided by the district.
(b) An amount equal to a 100 percent match of all funds received
pursuant to this article in the form of direct and in-kind support
provided by participating companies or other private sector
organizations.
(c) An assurance that state funds provided by the partnership
academies program shall be used only for the development, operation,
and support of partnership academies.
(d) An assurance that each academy will be established as a
"school within a school." Academy teachers shall work as a team in
planning, teaching, and troubleshooting program activities. Classes
in the academy program shall be limited to academy pupils as
specified in subdivision (e). Each participating school district
shall establish an advisory committee consisting of individuals
involved in academy operations, including school district and school
administrators, lead teachers, and representatives of the private
sector.
(e) Assurance that each academy pupil will be provided with the
following:
(1) Instruction in at least three academic subjects each regular
school term that prepares the pupil for a regular high school
diploma, and, where possible and appropriate, to meet the subject
requirements for admission to the California State University and the
University of California. These subjects should contribute to an
understanding of the occupational field of the academy.
(2) Career technical education courses offered at each grade level
at the academy that are part of an occupational course sequence that
targets comprehensive skills and that does the following:
(A) Provides career technical education in high skill occupations
of regional and local economic need.
(B) Focuses on occupations requiring comprehensive skills leading
to higher than entry-level wages, or the possibility of significant
wage increases after a few years on the job, or both.
(C) Provides a sequence of courses that build upon each other in
knowledge, skill development, and experience, and ends in a capstone
course that includes an internship component.
(D) Prepares pupils for employment and postsecondary education.
Sequenced courses shall be linked to certificate and degree programs
in the region, where possible.
(E) Whenever possible, prepares pupils for industry-recognized
certifications.
(F) Whenever possible and appropriate, offers career technical
education courses that also meet the subject requirements for
admission to the California State University and the University of
California.
(3) A class schedule that limits the attendance to the classes
required in paragraphs (1) and (2) to pupils of the academy. Whenever
possible, these classes should be block scheduled in a cluster to
provide flexibility to academy teachers. During the 12th grade the
number of academic classes may vary.
(4) A mentor from the business community during the pupil's 11th
grade year.
(5) An employer-based internship or work experience that occurs in
the summer following the 11th grade or during 12th grade year.
(6) Additional motivational activities with private sector
involvement to encourage academic and occupational preparation.
(f) Assurance that academy teachers have a common planning period
to interchange pupil and educational information. A second planning
period should be provided for the lead teacher in addition to the
normal planning period for full-time teachers and be supported as a
part of the school district's matching funds, whenever practical.
54693. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall establish
eligibility criteria for school districts that apply for grants
pursuant to this article. When establishing criteria, the
superintendent shall consider the commitment and need of the
applicant district. The superintendent may consider district
indicators of need such as the number or percent of pupils in poverty
or with limited English proficiency, and the dropout rate.
54694. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall develop
guidelines with respect to the California Partnership Academies. The
guidelines shall include, but not be limited to, enrollment
provisions, application procedures, and student eligibility.
54695. (a) The ninth grade teachers and counselors in schools
maintained by school districts approved to operate academies pursuant
to this article shall identify students eligible to participate in
an academy.
(b) Teachers and counselors in schools maintained by school
districts approved to operate academies pursuant to this article,
business representatives, and academy students of academies that are
operating in the area shall be encouraged to make presentations to
prospective students and their parents.
(c) The staff of each academy shall select students from among
those who have expressed an interest in the academy and whose parents
or guardians have approved the student's participation.
54696. The Legislature finds that each new academy requires
technical assistance for the academy team, administrators, teachers,
and private sector participants in the multiple aspects of the
academy program that differ from the standard high school program. To
provide for the transfer of the experiences gained in the operation
of currently successful academies to new academies, the
Superintendent of Public Instruction shall develop a technical
assistance team whose members have prior involvement in successful
academy operation and make their expertise available, as necessary,
to each new academy during its first two years of operation.
54697. (a) The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall select an
entity (the "evaluating entity") to conduct a long-term evaluation
of the Partnership Academies conducted pursuant to this article using
a random assignment of pupils into program and control groups. The
participation of any school district in this long-term evaluation is
voluntary.
(b) In order to qualify for participation in the evaluation of any
Partnership Academy as described in subdivision (a), a school
district shall demonstrate that the number of pupils seeking
admission to the academy, who qualify for admission under applicable
criteria, exceeds the number of openings in the academy.
(c) The evaluation shall be conducted on a basis that results in
no net cost to the state or to any participating school district. The
evaluating entity is responsible for obtaining, from other sources,
any funding that is necessary for the purposes of subdivision (a).
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the evaluating
entity shall have access to pupil records, to the extent permitted by
federal law, as necessary to perform the evaluation. The evaluating
entity shall ensure that all personally identifiable information
regarding any pupil and his or her parent or guardian remains
confidential.
(e) The evaluating entity shall coordinate its evaluation
activities under subdivision (a) with the Superintendent of Public
Instruction, and provide the superintendent with the results of the
evaluation upon completion. The Superintendent of Public Instruction
shall submit the results of the evaluation to the Legislature.
54690. (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the
partnership academies program has proven to be a highly effective
state-school-private sector partnership, providing combined academic
and occupational training to high school students who present a high
risk of dropping out of school, and motivating those students to stay
in school and graduate. Partnership academies are functioning in 45
high schools spread throughout the state, with occupational training
successfully offered in over 15 different skill fields, including
such diverse skills as electronics, computer technology, finance,
agribusiness, graphic arts and printing, international business, and
space. Partnership academies in San Mateo County have been honored
with two national awards for excellence, and the California
partnership academies have been given high accolades in various
textbooks and studies addressing vocational programs.
(b) The Legislature finds the partnership academies are in the
forefront of school efforts to integrate academic and vocational
education and that they can be effective in providing an integrated
learning program and high motivation toward pursuing skilled
occupational fields to students at risk of dropping out of school and
to students not motivated by the regular educational curriculum.
Further, the Legislature finds the partnership academies can make a
very positive contribution towards meeting the needs of the state for
a highly skilled and educated work force in the 21st century.
(c) Therefore, the Legislature hereby states its intent to expand
the number of partnership academies in this state's high schools,
hereafter to be known as California Partnership Academies; to broaden
the availability of these learning experiences to interested
students who do not meet the full criteria of "at-risk" students; and
to encourage the establishment of academies whose occupational
fields address the needs of developing technologies.
(d) For purposes of this article, "at-risk" students means
students enrolled in high school who are at risk of dropping out of
school, as indicated by at least three of the following criteria:
(1) Past record of irregular attendance.
(2) Past record of underachievement in which the student is at
least one year behind the coursework for the respective grade level.
(3) Past record of low motivation or a disinterest in the regular
school program.
(4) Disadvantaged economically.
(e) The State Department of Education may expend no more than five
percent of the funds received to carry out this article on
administrative expenses.
54690. (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the
partnership academies program has proven to be a highly effective
state-school-private sector partnership, providing combined academic
and occupational training to high school pupils who present a high
risk of dropping out of school, and motivating those pupils to stay
in school and graduate. Partnership academies are functioning in high
schools across the state, with occupational education and skills
development successfully offered in California's 15 different
industry sectors, including electronics, computer technology,
finance, agribusiness, alternative energy, environmental design and
construction, graphic arts and printing, international business, and
space. Partnership academies have been honored with national awards
for excellence, and the California partnership academies have been
given high accolades in various textbooks and studies addressing
career technical education programs.
(b) The Legislature finds the partnership academies are in the
forefront of school efforts to integrate academic and career
technical education and that they can be effective in providing an
integrated learning program and high motivation toward pursuing
skilled occupational fields to pupils at risk of dropping out of
school and to pupils not motivated by the regular educational
curriculum. Further, the Legislature finds the partnership academies
can make a very positive contribution towards meeting the needs of
the state for a highly skilled and educated workforce in the 21st
century.
(c) Therefore, the Legislature hereby states its intent to expand
the number of partnership academies in this state's high schools,
hereafter to be known as California Partnership Academies; to broaden
the availability of these learning experiences to interested pupils
who do not meet the criteria of "at-risk" pupils; and to encourage
the establishment of academies whose occupational fields address the
needs of developing technologies.
(d) For purposes of this article, an "at-risk" pupil means a pupil
enrolled in high school who is at risk of dropping out of school, as
indicated by at least three of the following criteria:
(1) Past record of irregular attendance. For purposes of this
section, "irregular attendance" means absence from school 20 percent
or more of the school year.
(2) Past record of underachievement in which the pupil is at least
one-third of a year behind the coursework for the respective grade
level, or as demonstrated by credits achieved.
(3) Past record of low motivation or a disinterest in the regular
school program.
(4) Disadvantaged economically.
(5) Scoring below basic or far below basic in mathematics or
English language arts on the standardized test administered pursuant
to Article 4 (commencing with Section 60640) of Chapter 5 of Part 33.
(6) Maintaining a grade point average of 2.2 or below, or the
equivalent of a C minus.
(e) Up to one-half of the pupils enrolled at a partnership academy
may be pupils who do not meet the criteria of "at-risk" pupils.
(f) The department may expend no more than 5 percent of the funds
received to carry out this article on administrative expenses.
54691. Commencing with the 1993-94 fiscal year, from the funds
appropriated for that purpose, the Superintendent of Public
Instruction shall issue grants to school districts maintaining high
schools that meet the specifications of Section 54692, for purposes
of planning, establishing, and maintaining academies, as follows:
(a) The superintendent may issue a maximum of 155 grants per year
for purposes of planning partnership academies. The Superintendent of
Public Instruction, when issuing the grants to school districts,
shall ensure that the grants are equitably distributed among
high-wealth and low-wealth school districts in urban, rural, and
suburban areas. Each planning grant shall be in the amount of fifteen
thousand dollars ($15,000).
(b) For the 1993-94 fiscal year, and each fiscal year thereafter,
the superintendent may issue grants for the implementation and
maintenance of existing academies or academies planned pursuant to
subdivision (a). Implementation and maintenance grants shall be
calculated in accordance with the following schedule:
(1) Districts operating academies may receive one thousand four
hundred dollars ($1,400) per year for each qualified student enrolled
in an academy during the first year of that academy's operation,
provided that no more than forty-two thousand dollars ($42,000) may
be granted to any one academy for the initial year.
(2) Districts operating academies may receive one thousand two
hundred dollars ($1,200) for each qualified student enrolled in an
academy during the second year of that academy's operation, provided
that no more than seventy-two thousand dollars ($72,000) may be
granted to any one academy for the second year.
(3) Districts operating academies may receive nine hundred dollars
($900) for each qualified student enrolled in an academy during the
third and following years of that academy's operation, provided that
no more than eighty-one thousand dollars ($81,000) may be granted to
any one academy for each fiscal year.
(c) For purposes of this article, a qualified student is a student
meeting the at-risk criteria specified in Section 54690 and who is
enrolled in an academy for the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade, obtains 90
percent of the credits each academic year in courses that are
required for graduation, and does any of the following:
(1) Successfully completes a school year during the 10th grade
with an attendance record of no less than 80 percent.
(2) Successfully completes a school year during the 11th grade
with an attendance record of no less than 80 percent.
(3) Successfully graduates after the 12th grade.
A student enrolled in an academy who successfully completes only
one semester with regard to enrollment, attendance, and credits
within the school year is considered qualified for that semester and
the district may receive one-half of the funds specified under
subdivision (b) for that student.
(d) (1) A school district operating an academy that is unable to
enroll enough at-risk students, as defined in Section 54690, to
constitute one-half of the participating students may enroll
non-at-risk students that meet any of the following criteria:
(A) Scoring in the 40th percentile or below in mathematics or
English language arts on the standardized test administered pursuant
to Article 4 (commencing with Section 60640) of Chapter 5 of Part 33.
(B) Maintaining a grade point average of 2.2 or below, or the
equivalent of a C-.
(C) Meeting any three of the four criteria set forth in
subdivision (d) of Section 54690.
(D) Fulfilling any of the actions described in paragraphs (1),
(2), or (3) of subdivision (c).
(2) Non-at-risk students enrolled pursuant to paragraph (1) may
not exceed one-half of the students enrolled in an academy.
(e) At the end of each school year, school districts that have
been approved to operate academies pursuant to this article shall
certify the following information to the Superintendent of Public
Instruction:
(1) The operation of each academy in accordance with this article,
including Sections 54692 and 54694.
(2) The number of qualified students enrolled during the just
completed school year, by grade level, for each academy operated by
the district.
(3) The amount of matching funds and the dollar value of in-kind
support made available to each academy in accordance with
subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 54692.
(f) The superintendent shall adjust each school district's grant
in accordance with the certification made to him or her pursuant to
subdivision (d) or in accordance with any discrepancies to the
certification that may be revealed by audit. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this section, the superintendent may advance up to 50
percent of the funds as he or she deems appropriate to districts that
are approved to operate, or plan to operate partnership academies.
(g) Funds granted to school districts pursuant to this article may
be expended without regard to fiscal year. However, the funds must
be expended for the maintenance and operation of academies.
54691. Commencing with the 1993-94 fiscal year, from the funds
appropriated for that purpose, the Superintendent shall issue grants
to school districts maintaining high schools that meet the
specifications of Section 54692, for purposes of planning,
establishing, and maintaining academies, as follows:
(a) The Superintendent may issue planning grants for purposes of
planning partnership academies. The Superintendent shall ensure that
the planning grants are equitably distributed among high-wealth and
low-wealth school districts in urban, rural, and suburban areas. Each
planning grant shall be in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars
($15,000).
(b) For the 1993-94 fiscal year, and each fiscal year thereafter,
the Superintendent may issue grants for the implementation and
maintenance of existing academies or academies planned pursuant to
subdivision (a). Implementation and maintenance grants shall be
calculated in accordance with the following schedule:
(1) Districts operating academies may receive one thousand four
hundred dollars ($1,400) per year for each qualified pupil enrolled
in an academy during the first year of that academy's operation,
provided that no more than forty-two thousand dollars ($42,000) may
be granted to any one academy for the initial year.
(2) Districts operating academies may receive one thousand two
hundred dollars ($1,200) for each qualified pupil enrolled in an
academy during the second year of that academy's operation, provided
that no more than seventy-two thousand dollars ($72,000) may be
granted to any one academy for the second year.
(3) Districts operating academies may receive nine hundred dollars
($900) for each qualified pupil enrolled in an academy during the
third and following years of that academy's operation, provided that
no more than eighty-one thousand dollars ($81,000) may be granted to
any one academy for each fiscal year.
(c) For purposes of this section, a qualified pupil is a pupil who
is enrolled in a partnership academy for the 10th, 11th, or 12th
grade, obtains 90 percent of the credits each academic year in
courses that are required for graduation, and does any of the
following:
(1) Successfully completes a school year during the 10th grade
with an attendance record of no less than 80 percent.
(2) Successfully completes a school year during the 11th grade
with an attendance record of no less than 80 percent.
(3) Successfully graduates after the 12th grade.
A pupil enrolled in an academy who successfully completes only one
semester with regard to enrollment, attendance, and credits within
the school year is considered qualified for that semester and the
district may receive one-half of the funds specified under
subdivision (b) for that pupil.
(d) At the end of each school year, school districts that have
been approved to operate academies pursuant to this article shall
certify the following information to the Superintendent:
(1) The operation of each academy in accordance with this article,
including Sections 54692 and 54694.
(2) The number of qualified pupils enrolled during the just
completed school year, by grade level, for each academy operated by
the district.
(3) The amount of matching funds and the dollar value of in-kind
support made available to each academy in accordance with
subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 54692.
(e) The Superintendent shall adjust each school district's grant
in accordance with the certification made to him or her pursuant to
subdivision (d) or in accordance with any discrepancies to the
certification that may be revealed by audit. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this section, the Superintendent may advance up to 50
percent of the funds as he or she deems appropriate to districts that
are approved to operate, or plan to operate partnership academies.
(f) Funds granted to school districts pursuant to this article may
be expended without regard to fiscal year. However, the funds must
be expended for the maintenance and operation of academies.
54692. In order to be eligible to receive funding pursuant to this
article, a district shall provide all of the following:
(a) An amount equal to a 100 percent match of all funds received
pursuant to this article in the form of direct and in-kind support
provided by the district.
(b) An amount equal to a 100 percent match of all funds received
pursuant to this article in the form of direct and in-kind support
provided by participating companies or other private sector
organizations.
(c) An assurance that state funds provided by the partnership
academies program shall be used only for the development, operation,
and support of partnership academies.
(d) An assurance that each academy will be established as a
"school within a school." Academy teachers shall work as a team in
planning, teaching, and troubleshooting program activities. Classes
in the academy program shall be limited to academy students as
specified in subdivision (d). Each participating district shall
establish an advisory committee consisting of individuals involved in
academy operations, including school district and school
administrators, lead teachers, and representatives of the private
sector.
(e) Assurance that each academy student will be provided with the
following:
(1) Instruction in at least three academic subjects each regular
school term that prepares the student for a regular high school
diploma. These subjects should contribute to an understanding of the
occupational field of the academy.
(2) A "laboratory class" related to the academy's occupational
field.
(3) A class schedule that limits the attendance to the classes
required in paragraphs (1) and (2) to pupils of the academy. Whenever
possible, these classes should be block scheduled in a cluster to
provide flexibility to academy teachers. During the 12th grade the
number of academic classes may vary.
(4) A mentor from the business community during the pupil's 11th
grade year.
(5) An internship or paid job related to the academy's
occupational field or work experience to improve employment skills,
during the summer following the 11th grade. A student that must
attend summer school for purposes of completing graduation
requirements is exempt from this paragraph.
(6) Additional motivational activities with private sector
involvement to encourage academic and occupational preparation.
(f) Assurance that academy teachers have a common planning period
to interchange student and educational information. Whenever
practical, the planning period should be in addition to the normal
planning period for full-time teachers and be supported as a part of
the district's matching funds.
54692. In order to be eligible to receive funding pursuant to this
article, a school district shall provide all of the following:
(a) An amount equal to a 100 percent match of all funds received
pursuant to this article in the form of direct and in-kind support
provided by the district.
(b) An amount equal to a 100 percent match of all funds received
pursuant to this article in the form of direct and in-kind support
provided by participating companies or other private sector
organizations.
(c) An assurance that state funds provided by the partnership
academies program shall be used only for the development, operation,
and support of partnership academies.
(d) An assurance that each academy will be established as a
"school within a school." Academy teachers shall work as a team in
planning, teaching, and troubleshooting program activities. Classes
in the academy program shall be limited to academy pupils as
specified in subdivision (e). Each participating school district
shall establish an advisory committee consisting of individuals
involved in academy operations, including school district and school
administrators, lead teachers, and representatives of the private
sector.
(e) Assurance that each academy pupil will be provided with the
following:
(1) Instruction in at least three academic subjects each regular
school term that prepares the pupil for a regular high school
diploma, and, where possible and appropriate, to meet the subject
requirements for admission to the California State University and the
University of California. These subjects should contribute to an
understanding of the occupational field of the academy.
(2) Career technical education courses offered at each grade level
at the academy that are part of an occupational course sequence that
targets comprehensive skills and that does the following:
(A) Provides career technical education in high skill occupations
of regional and local economic need.
(B) Focuses on occupations requiring comprehensive skills leading
to higher than entry-level wages, or the possibility of significant
wage increases after a few years on the job, or both.
(C) Provides a sequence of courses that build upon each other in
knowledge, skill development, and experience, and ends in a capstone
course that includes an internship component.
(D) Prepares pupils for employment and postsecondary education.
Sequenced courses shall be linked to certificate and degree programs
in the region, where possible.
(E) Whenever possible, prepares pupils for industry-recognized
certifications.
(F) Whenever possible and appropriate, offers career technical
education courses that also meet the subject requirements for
admission to the California State University and the University of
California.
(3) A class schedule that limits the attendance to the classes
required in paragraphs (1) and (2) to pupils of the academy. Whenever
possible, these classes should be block scheduled in a cluster to
provide flexibility to academy teachers. During the 12th grade the
number of academic classes may vary.
(4) A mentor from the business community during the pupil's 11th
grade year.
(5) An employer-based internship or work experience that occurs in
the summer following the 11th grade or during 12th grade year.
(6) Additional motivational activities with private sector
involvement to encourage academic and occupational preparation.
(f) Assurance that academy teachers have a common planning period
to interchange pupil and educational information. A second planning
period should be provided for the lead teacher in addition to the
normal planning period for full-time teachers and be supported as a
part of the school district's matching funds, whenever practical.
54693. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall establish
eligibility criteria for school districts that apply for grants
pursuant to this article. When establishing criteria, the
superintendent shall consider the commitment and need of the
applicant district. The superintendent may consider district
indicators of need such as the number or percent of pupils in poverty
or with limited English proficiency, and the dropout rate.
54694. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall develop
guidelines with respect to the California Partnership Academies. The
guidelines shall include, but not be limited to, enrollment
provisions, application procedures, and student eligibility.
54695. (a) The ninth grade teachers and counselors in schools
maintained by school districts approved to operate academies pursuant
to this article shall identify students eligible to participate in
an academy.
(b) Teachers and counselors in schools maintained by school
districts approved to operate academies pursuant to this article,
business representatives, and academy students of academies that are
operating in the area shall be encouraged to make presentations to
prospective students and their parents.
(c) The staff of each academy shall select students from among
those who have expressed an interest in the academy and whose parents
or guardians have approved the student's participation.
54696. The Legislature finds that each new academy requires
technical assistance for the academy team, administrators, teachers,
and private sector participants in the multiple aspects of the
academy program that differ from the standard high school program. To
provide for the transfer of the experiences gained in the operation
of currently successful academies to new academies, the
Superintendent of Public Instruction shall develop a technical
assistance team whose members have prior involvement in successful
academy operation and make their expertise available, as necessary,
to each new academy during its first two years of operation.
54697. (a) The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall select an
entity (the "evaluating entity") to conduct a long-term evaluation
of the Partnership Academies conducted pursuant to this article using
a random assignment of pupils into program and control groups. The
participation of any school district in this long-term evaluation is
voluntary.
(b) In order to qualify for participation in the evaluation of any
Partnership Academy as described in subdivision (a), a school
district shall demonstrate that the number of pupils seeking
admission to the academy, who qualify for admission under applicable
criteria, exceeds the number of openings in the academy.
(c) The evaluation shall be conducted on a basis that results in
no net cost to the state or to any participating school district. The
evaluating entity is responsible for obtaining, from other sources,
any funding that is necessary for the purposes of subdivision (a).
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the evaluating
entity shall have access to pupil records, to the extent permitted by
federal law, as necessary to perform the evaluation. The evaluating
entity shall ensure that all personally identifiable information
regarding any pupil and his or her parent or guardian remains
confidential.
(e) The evaluating entity shall coordinate its evaluation
activities under subdivision (a) with the Superintendent of Public
Instruction, and provide the superintendent with the results of the
evaluation upon completion. The Superintendent of Public Instruction
shall submit the results of the evaluation to the Legislature.
54690. (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the
partnership academies program has proven to be a highly effective
state-school-private sector partnership, providing combined academic
and occupational training to high school students who present a high
risk of dropping out of school, and motivating those students to stay
in school and graduate. Partnership academies are functioning in 45
high schools spread throughout the state, with occupational training
successfully offered in over 15 different skill fields, including
such diverse skills as electronics, computer technology, finance,
agribusiness, graphic arts and printing, international business, and
space. Partnership academies in San Mateo County have been honored
with two national awards for excellence, and the California
partnership academies have been given high accolades in various
textbooks and studies addressing vocational programs.
(b) The Legislature finds the partnership academies are in the
forefront of school efforts to integrate academic and vocational
education and that they can be effective in providing an integrated
learning program and high motivation toward pursuing skilled
occupational fields to students at risk of dropping out of school and
to students not motivated by the regular educational curriculum.
Further, the Legislature finds the partnership academies can make a
very positive contribution towards meeting the needs of the state for
a highly skilled and educated work force in the 21st century.
(c) Therefore, the Legislature hereby states its intent to expand
the number of partnership academies in this state's high schools,
hereafter to be known as California Partnership Academies; to broaden
the availability of these learning experiences to interested
students who do not meet the full criteria of "at-risk" students; and
to encourage the establishment of academies whose occupational
fields address the needs of developing technologies.
(d) For purposes of this article, "at-risk" students means
students enrolled in high school who are at risk of dropping out of
school, as indicated by at least three of the following criteria:
(1) Past record of irregular attendance.
(2) Past record of underachievement in which the student is at
least one year behind the coursework for the respective grade level.
(3) Past record of low motivation or a disinterest in the regular
school program.
(4) Disadvantaged economically.
(e) The State Department of Education may expend no more than five
percent of the funds received to carry out this article on
administrative expenses.
54690. (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the
partnership academies program has proven to be a highly effective
state-school-private sector partnership, providing combined academic
and occupational training to high school pupils who present a high
risk of dropping out of school, and motivating those pupils to stay
in school and graduate. Partnership academies are functioning in high
schools across the state, with occupational education and skills
development successfully offered in California's 15 different
industry sectors, including electronics, computer technology,
finance, agribusiness, alternative energy, environmental design and
construction, graphic arts and printing, international business, and
space. Partnership academies have been honored with national awards
for excellence, and the California partnership academies have been
given high accolades in various textbooks and studies addressing
career technical education programs.
(b) The Legislature finds the partnership academies are in the
forefront of school efforts to integrate academic and career
technical education and that they can be effective in providing an
integrated learning program and high motivation toward pursuing
skilled occupational fields to pupils at risk of dropping out of
school and to pupils not motivated by the regular educational
curriculum. Further, the Legislature finds the partnership academies
can make a very positive contribution towards meeting the needs of
the state for a highly skilled and educated workforce in the 21st
century.
(c) Therefore, the Legislature hereby states its intent to expand
the number of partnership academies in this state's high schools,
hereafter to be known as California Partnership Academies; to broaden
the availability of these learning experiences to interested pupils
who do not meet the criteria of "at-risk" pupils; and to encourage
the establishment of academies whose occupational fields address the
needs of developing technologies.
(d) For purposes of this article, an "at-risk" pupil means a pupil
enrolled in high school who is at risk of dropping out of school, as
indicated by at least three of the following criteria:
(1) Past record of irregular attendance. For purposes of this
section, "irregular attendance" means absence from school 20 percent
or more of the school year.
(2) Past record of underachievement in which the pupil is at least
one-third of a year behind the coursework for the respective grade
level, or as demonstrated by credits achieved.
(3) Past record of low motivation or a disinterest in the regular
school program.
(4) Disadvantaged economically.
(5) Scoring below basic or far below basic in mathematics or
English language arts on the standardized test administered pursuant
to Article 4 (commencing with Section 60640) of Chapter 5 of Part 33.
(6) Maintaining a grade point average of 2.2 or below, or the
equivalent of a C minus.
(e) Up to one-half of the pupils enrolled at a partnership academy
may be pupils who do not meet the criteria of "at-risk" pupils.
(f) The department may expend no more than 5 percent of the funds
received to carry out this article on administrative expenses.
54691. Commencing with the 1993-94 fiscal year, from the funds
appropriated for that purpose, the Superintendent of Public
Instruction shall issue grants to school districts maintaining high
schools that meet the specifications of Section 54692, for purposes
of planning, establishing, and maintaining academies, as follows:
(a) The superintendent may issue a maximum of 155 grants per year
for purposes of planning partnership academies. The Superintendent of
Public Instruction, when issuing the grants to school districts,
shall ensure that the grants are equitably distributed among
high-wealth and low-wealth school districts in urban, rural, and
suburban areas. Each planning grant shall be in the amount of fifteen
thousand dollars ($15,000).
(b) For the 1993-94 fiscal year, and each fiscal year thereafter,
the superintendent may issue grants for the implementation and
maintenance of existing academies or academies planned pursuant to
subdivision (a). Implementation and maintenance grants shall be
calculated in accordance with the following schedule:
(1) Districts operating academies may receive one thousand four
hundred dollars ($1,400) per year for each qualified student enrolled
in an academy during the first year of that academy's operation,
provided that no more than forty-two thousand dollars ($42,000) may
be granted to any one academy for the initial year.
(2) Districts operating academies may receive one thousand two
hundred dollars ($1,200) for each qualified student enrolled in an
academy during the second year of that academy's operation, provided
that no more than seventy-two thousand dollars ($72,000) may be
granted to any one academy for the second year.
(3) Districts operating academies may receive nine hundred dollars
($900) for each qualified student enrolled in an academy during the
third and following years of that academy's operation, provided that
no more than eighty-one thousand dollars ($81,000) may be granted to
any one academy for each fiscal year.
(c) For purposes of this article, a qualified student is a student
meeting the at-risk criteria specified in Section 54690 and who is
enrolled in an academy for the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade, obtains 90
percent of the credits each academic year in courses that are
required for graduation, and does any of the following:
(1) Successfully completes a school year during the 10th grade
with an attendance record of no less than 80 percent.
(2) Successfully completes a school year during the 11th grade
with an attendance record of no less than 80 percent.
(3) Successfully graduates after the 12th grade.
A student enrolled in an academy who successfully completes only
one semester with regard to enrollment, attendance, and credits
within the school year is considered qualified for that semester and
the district may receive one-half of the funds specified under
subdivision (b) for that student.
(d) (1) A school district operating an academy that is unable to
enroll enough at-risk students, as defined in Section 54690, to
constitute one-half of the participating students may enroll
non-at-risk students that meet any of the following criteria:
(A) Scoring in the 40th percentile or below in mathematics or
English language arts on the standardized test administered pursuant
to Article 4 (commencing with Section 60640) of Chapter 5 of Part 33.
(B) Maintaining a grade point average of 2.2 or below, or the
equivalent of a C-.
(C) Meeting any three of the four criteria set forth in
subdivision (d) of Section 54690.
(D) Fulfilling any of the actions described in paragraphs (1),
(2), or (3) of subdivision (c).
(2) Non-at-risk students enrolled pursuant to paragraph (1) may
not exceed one-half of the students enrolled in an academy.
(e) At the end of each school year, school districts that have
been approved to operate academies pursuant to this article shall
certify the following information to the Superintendent of Public
Instruction:
(1) The operation of each academy in accordance with this article,
including Sections 54692 and 54694.
(2) The number of qualified students enrolled during the just
completed school year, by grade level, for each academy operated by
the district.
(3) The amount of matching funds and the dollar value of in-kind
support made available to each academy in accordance with
subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 54692.
(f) The superintendent shall adjust each school district's grant
in accordance with the certification made to him or her pursuant to
subdivision (d) or in accordance with any discrepancies to the
certification that may be revealed by audit. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this section, the superintendent may advance up to 50
percent of the funds as he or she deems appropriate to districts that
are approved to operate, or plan to operate partnership academies.
(g) Funds granted to school districts pursuant to this article may
be expended without regard to fiscal year. However, the funds must
be expended for the maintenance and operation of academies.
54691. Commencing with the 1993-94 fiscal year, from the funds
appropriated for that purpose, the Superintendent shall issue grants
to school districts maintaining high schools that meet the
specifications of Section 54692, for purposes of planning,
establishing, and maintaining academies, as follows:
(a) The Superintendent may issue planning grants for purposes of
planning partnership academies. The Superintendent shall ensure that
the planning grants are equitably distributed among high-wealth and
low-wealth school districts in urban, rural, and suburban areas. Each
planning grant shall be in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars
($15,000).
(b) For the 1993-94 fiscal year, and each fiscal year thereafter,
the Superintendent may issue grants for the implementation and
maintenance of existing academies or academies planned pursuant to
subdivision (a). Implementation and maintenance grants shall be
calculated in accordance with the following schedule:
(1) Districts operating academies may receive one thousand four
hundred dollars ($1,400) per year for each qualified pupil enrolled
in an academy during the first year of that academy's operation,
provided that no more than forty-two thousand dollars ($42,000) may
be granted to any one academy for the initial year.
(2) Districts operating academies may receive one thousand two
hundred dollars ($1,200) for each qualified pupil enrolled in an
academy during the second year of that academy's operation, provided
that no more than seventy-two thousand dollars ($72,000) may be
granted to any one academy for the second year.
(3) Districts operating academies may receive nine hundred dollars
($900) for each qualified pupil enrolled in an academy during the
third and following years of that academy's operation, provided that
no more than eighty-one thousand dollars ($81,000) may be granted to
any one academy for each fiscal year.
(c) For purposes of this section, a qualified pupil is a pupil who
is enrolled in a partnership academy for the 10th, 11th, or 12th
grade, obtains 90 percent of the credits each academic year in
courses that are required for graduation, and does any of the
following:
(1) Successfully completes a school year during the 10th grade
with an attendance record of no less than 80 percent.
(2) Successfully completes a school year during the 11th grade
with an attendance record of no less than 80 percent.
(3) Successfully graduates after the 12th grade.
A pupil enrolled in an academy who successfully completes only one
semester with regard to enrollment, attendance, and credits within
the school year is considered qualified for that semester and the
district may receive one-half of the funds specified under
subdivision (b) for that pupil.
(d) At the end of each school year, school districts that have
been approved to operate academies pursuant to this article shall
certify the following information to the Superintendent:
(1) The operation of each academy in accordance with this article,
including Sections 54692 and 54694.
(2) The number of qualified pupils enrolled during the just
completed school year, by grade level, for each academy operated by
the district.
(3) The amount of matching funds and the dollar value of in-kind
support made available to each academy in accordance with
subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 54692.
(e) The Superintendent shall adjust each school district's grant
in accordance with the certification made to him or her pursuant to
subdivision (d) or in accordance with any discrepancies to the
certification that may be revealed by audit. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this section, the Superintendent may advance up to 50
percent of the funds as he or she deems appropriate to districts that
are approved to operate, or plan to operate partnership academies.
(f) Funds granted to school districts pursuant to this article may
be expended without regard to fiscal year. However, the funds must
be expended for the maintenance and operation of academies.
54692. In order to be eligible to receive funding pursuant to this
article, a district shall provide all of the following:
(a) An amount equal to a 100 percent match of all funds received
pursuant to this article in the form of direct and in-kind support
provided by the district.
(b) An amount equal to a 100 percent match of all funds received
pursuant to this article in the form of direct and in-kind support
provided by participating companies or other private sector
organizations.
(c) An assurance that state funds provided by the partnership
academies program shall be used only for the development, operation,
and support of partnership academies.
(d) An assurance that each academy will be established as a
"school within a school." Academy teachers shall work as a team in
planning, teaching, and troubleshooting program activities. Classes
in the academy program shall be limited to academy students as
specified in subdivision (d). Each participating district shall
establish an advisory committee consisting of individuals involved in
academy operations, including school district and school
administrators, lead teachers, and representatives of the private
sector.
(e) Assurance that each academy student will be provided with the
following:
(1) Instruction in at least three academic subjects each regular
school term that prepares the student for a regular high school
diploma. These subjects should contribute to an understanding of the
occupational field of the academy.
(2) A "laboratory class" related to the academy's occupational
field.
(3) A class schedule that limits the attendance to the classes
required in paragraphs (1) and (2) to pupils of the academy. Whenever
possible, these classes should be block scheduled in a cluster to
provide flexibility to academy teachers. During the 12th grade the
number of academic classes may vary.
(4) A mentor from the business community during the pupil's 11th
grade year.
(5) An internship or paid job related to the academy's
occupational field or work experience to improve employment skills,
during the summer following the 11th grade. A student that must
attend summer school for purposes of completing graduation
requirements is exempt from this paragraph.
(6) Additional motivational activities with private sector
involvement to encourage academic and occupational preparation.
(f) Assurance that academy teachers have a common planning period
to interchange student and educational information. Whenever
practical, the planning period should be in addition to the normal
planning period for full-time teachers and be supported as a part of
the district's matching funds.
54692. In order to be eligible to receive funding pursuant to this
article, a school district shall provide all of the following:
(a) An amount equal to a 100 percent match of all funds received
pursuant to this article in the form of direct and in-kind support
provided by the district.
(b) An amount equal to a 100 percent match of all funds received
pursuant to this article in the form of direct and in-kind support
provided by participating companies or other private sector
organizations.
(c) An assurance that state funds provided by the partnership
academies program shall be used only for the development, operation,
and support of partnership academies.
(d) An assurance that each academy will be established as a
"school within a school." Academy teachers shall work as a team in
planning, teaching, and troubleshooting program activities. Classes
in the academy program shall be limited to academy pupils as
specified in subdivision (e). Each participating school district
shall establish an advisory committee consisting of individuals
involved in academy operations, including school district and school
administrators, lead teachers, and representatives of the private
sector.
(e) Assurance that each academy pupil will be provided with the
following:
(1) Instruction in at least three academic subjects each regular
school term that prepares the pupil for a regular high school
diploma, and, where possible and appropriate, to meet the subject
requirements for admission to the California State University and the
University of California. These subjects should contribute to an
understanding of the occupational field of the academy.
(2) Career technical education courses offered at each grade level
at the academy that are part of an occupational course sequence that
targets comprehensive skills and that does the following:
(A) Provides career technical education in high skill occupations
of regional and local economic need.
(B) Focuses on occupations requiring comprehensive skills leading
to higher than entry-level wages, or the possibility of significant
wage increases after a few years on the job, or both.
(C) Provides a sequence of courses that build upon each other in
knowledge, skill development, and experience, and ends in a capstone
course that includes an internship component.
(D) Prepares pupils for employment and postsecondary education.
Sequenced courses shall be linked to certificate and degree programs
in the region, where possible.
(E) Whenever possible, prepares pupils for industry-recognized
certifications.
(F) Whenever possible and appropriate, offers career technical
education courses that also meet the subject requirements for
admission to the California State University and the University of
California.
(3) A class schedule that limits the attendance to the classes
required in paragraphs (1) and (2) to pupils of the academy. Whenever
possible, these classes should be block scheduled in a cluster to
provide flexibility to academy teachers. During the 12th grade the
number of academic classes may vary.
(4) A mentor from the business community during the pupil's 11th
grade year.
(5) An employer-based internship or work experience that occurs in
the summer following the 11th grade or during 12th grade year.
(6) Additional motivational activities with private sector
involvement to encourage academic and occupational preparation.
(f) Assurance that academy teachers have a common planning period
to interchange pupil and educational information. A second planning
period should be provided for the lead teacher in addition to the
normal planning period for full-time teachers and be supported as a
part of the school district's matching funds, whenever practical.
54693. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall establish
eligibility criteria for school districts that apply for grants
pursuant to this article. When establishing criteria, the
superintendent shall consider the commitment and need of the
applicant district. The superintendent may consider district
indicators of need such as the number or percent of pupils in poverty
or with limited English proficiency, and the dropout rate.
54694. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall develop
guidelines with respect to the California Partnership Academies. The
guidelines shall include, but not be limited to, enrollment
provisions, application procedures, and student eligibility.
54695. (a) The ninth grade teachers and counselors in schools
maintained by school districts approved to operate academies pursuant
to this article shall identify students eligible to participate in
an academy.
(b) Teachers and counselors in schools maintained by school
districts approved to operate academies pursuant to this article,
business representatives, and academy students of academies that are
operating in the area shall be encouraged to make presentations to
prospective students and their parents.
(c) The staff of each academy shall select students from among
those who have expressed an interest in the academy and whose parents
or guardians have approved the student's participation.
54696. The Legislature finds that each new academy requires
technical assistance for the academy team, administrators, teachers,
and private sector participants in the multiple aspects of the
academy program that differ from the standard high school program. To
provide for the transfer of the experiences gained in the operation
of currently successful academies to new academies, the
Superintendent of Public Instruction shall develop a technical
assistance team whose members have prior involvement in successful
academy operation and make their expertise available, as necessary,
to each new academy during its first two years of operation.
54697. (a) The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall select an
entity (the "evaluating entity") to conduct a long-term evaluation
of the Partnership Academies conducted pursuant to this article using
a random assignment of pupils into program and control groups. The
participation of any school district in this long-term evaluation is
voluntary.
(b) In order to qualify for participation in the evaluation of any
Partnership Academy as described in subdivision (a), a school
district shall demonstrate that the number of pupils seeking
admission to the academy, who qualify for admission under applicable
criteria, exceeds the number of openings in the academy.
(c) The evaluation shall be conducted on a basis that results in
no net cost to the state or to any participating school district. The
evaluating entity is responsible for obtaining, from other sources,
any funding that is necessary for the purposes of subdivision (a).
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the evaluating
entity shall have access to pupil records, to the extent permitted by
federal law, as necessary to perform the evaluation. The evaluating
entity shall ensure that all personally identifiable information
regarding any pupil and his or her parent or guardian remains
confidential.
(e) The evaluating entity shall coordinate its evaluation
activities under subdivision (a) with the Superintendent of Public
Instruction, and provide the superintendent with the results of the
evaluation upon completion. The Superintendent of Public Instruction
shall submit the results of the evaluation to the Legislature.
