Bill > AB1246

This bill aims to update California's Education Code regarding instructional materials, with a primary focus on ensuring alignment with the Common Core academic content standards for mathematics and providing local educational agencies (LEAs), such as school districts, with greater flexibility in selecting and using these materials. It seeks to make it easier for schools to access a wider variety of high-quality, standards-aligned options to meet the diverse needs of all students, including English learners and those with disabilities. Key provisions include allowing LEAs to use instructional materials that align with state standards even if they haven't been officially adopted by the state board, and ensuring that when LEAs do their own reviews of materials, a majority of the reviewers are classroom teachers. The bill also modifies existing requirements for public hearings and determinations of sufficiency of textbooks and instructional materials, and it repeals an existing chapter related to instructional materials. Additionally, it introduces a fee for publishers participating in the state's adoption process for mathematics instructional materials to cover the costs of review, with provisions for fee reductions for small publishers. The intent is to support the ongoing implementation of the Common Core standards and empower educators to choose the best resources for their students.