California Continuation Education Association Document

Title:  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 55 - Alternative Education Month

Author:  Senator Alpert, California State Senate

Date:  January 20,  2004

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 55
Alternative Education Month

WHEREAS, The State of California recognizes that because students learn in a variety of ways, the state’s educational system must strive to meet the needs of its entire diverse student population by supporting education options and the sustainability of these programs; and

WHEREAS, In 1975, Senate Bill 445 was enacted, declaring the purpose of educational options and authorized school district and county office of education governing board to establish and maintain alternative schools and programs to, among other things, serve at-risk youth; and

WHEREAS, Educational options include continuation high schools, magnet programs, charter schools, independent study, adult education, opportunity programs, community day schools, pregnant minor programs, county community schools, juvenile court schools, youth authority, and alternative schools, representing over 750,000 students; and

WHEREAS, Educational options, as part of the state’s educational system, maximizes learning opportunities for students who are deficient in credits, pregnant or parenting, homeless, recovered dropouts, or in some other way classified “at risk,” to develop the positive values and life skills such as self-reliance, initiative, resourcefulness, creativity, and responsibility; and

WHEREAS, Educational options provide a choice of educational pathways in an effort to confront educational and social challenges, to meet the needs of all students that will ensure them the opportunity to make appropriate post secondary choices,  including higher education, technical and career training, and the military; and

WHEREAS, The State Department of Education  recognizes the high level of professionalism and specialized training required of a successful educational options educator in order to provide academic and career instruction, character development, and experiences that lead to successful citizenship, employment, and higher education; and

WHEREAS, All educators and administrators providing instruction to students participating in educational options programs are committed to providing a supportive learning environment that is best suited to every student’s academic, personal, and social needs; advocating for a quality education as a means to inspire every student to become a self-motivated, responsible learner; and

WHEREAS, Educational options programs and schools issue diplomas to students and must fulfill the same state and federal requirements as all traditional schools, including alignment to the California State Content Standards, offering a rigorous curriculum that includes all core academic subjects, as well as participate in all state mandated testing programs such as the Standardized Testing and Reporting Program and the California High School Exit Exam; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the California State Legislature joins in proclaiming and observing the month of May as Educational Options Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the California Legislature encourages all Californians to work together to ensure the future success of every young student participating in educational options in our state; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.