Pupil instruction: Cambridge International Education programs.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about how much financial assistance will be provided for test fees or which school districts will offer the Cambridge International programs.

Cambridge International Programs for Students

This law allows schools to use Cambridge exams as part of principal evaluations and expands counseling programs to include advice on joining Cambridge programs, while also allowing financial assistance for test fees.

What This Bill Does

• Adds the Cambridge International Level examinations to the list of authorized assessments that may be used to measure pupil academic growth for a principal evaluation.
• Expands educational counseling programs to explicitly include encouraging participation in Cambridge International programs.
• Allows school districts offering IGCSE, AS or A level courses and examinations to help pay test fees for pupils who need financial assistance.

Who It Names or Affects

• School districts that offer Cambridge International Education programs
• Students in grades 6 to 12

Terms To Know

Cambridge International Level examinations

Tests used by schools around the world to measure student achievement.

IGCSE, AS or A level courses and examinations

Specific types of advanced education programs offered in some high schools.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how much financial assistance will be provided for test fees.
• It is unclear which school districts will offer the Cambridge International programs.

Official Summary Text

SB 835, as amended, Ochoa Bogh.
Pupil instruction: Cambridge International Education programs.
(1) Existing law authorizes a school district to evaluate a principal annually for the principal’s first and 2nd year of employment as a new principal and authorizes additional evaluations, as specified. Existing law authorizes the criteria for school principal evaluations to be based upon the California Professional Standards for Educational Leaders and to include evidence of, among other things, pupil academic growth. Existing law authorizes pupil academic growth to be evaluated pursuant to local and state academic assessments, including, among others, state standardized assessments and performance assessments.
This bill would explicitly add the Cambridge International Level examinations to the list of authorized assessments that may be used to measure pupil academic growth for a principal evaluation.
(2) Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district to provide access to a comprehensive educational counseling program for all pupils enrolled in the school district. For schools that enroll pupils in grades 6 to 12, inclusive, existing law defines educational counseling to include, among other things, counseling to encourage participation in advanced placement and international baccalaureate programs.
This bill would expand the definition of an educational counseling program to explicitly include encouraging participation in Cambridge International programs.
(3)
This bill also would authorize a school district that offers Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), or AS or A level courses and examinations, to help pay the test fees for pupils in need of financial assistance.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF