Background
On September 30, 2008, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 2648, which became effective on January 1, 2009, adding Section 52372.5 to the California Education Code. Subdivision (b) of Section 52372.5 requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop a report that explores the feasibility of establishing and expanding additional career multiple pathway programs in California, including the costs and merits associated with expansion of these programs. The Superintendent is required to develop this report in conjunction with the Office of the Secretary for Education, the California Community Colleges, the University of California, the California State University, the Employment Development Department, both houses of the California Legislature, teachers, chamber organizations, industry representatives, research centers, parents, school administrators, representatives of regional occupational centers and programs, community-based organizations, labor organizations, and others that the State Superintendent of Public Instruction deems appropriate.
The legislation states that multiple pathway programs created for high schools may be housed within a number of structures, including, but not limited to, California partnership academies, regional occupational centers and programs, charter schools, academies and other small learning communities, and other career-themed small schools.