SECTIONS 8980-8982 - California Statutes

EDUCATION CODE

SECTION 8980-8982

8980. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the
Agricultural Education Act of 1999.

8981. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) Agriculture is one of the most important industries in
California. Gross income from production agriculture annually exceeds
twenty-six billion eight hundred million dollars ($26,800,000,000).
Support industries in agricultural marketing, business, research,
communications, and education contribute another ten billion dollars
($10,000,000,000) to the state's economy and exports annually exceeds
six billion dollars ($6,000,000,000).
(b) During 1998, approximately 399,000 agricultural jobs were
performed by farmworkers, who, through their tireless efforts, have
contributed greatly to the success of the agricultural industry.
(c) There is currently no comprehensive agricultural education
program for California's pupils. According to the National Academy of
Sciences, most Americans have insufficient knowledge about the
social and economic significance of agriculture and its links to
human health and environmental quality. Many of the challenges facing
the state clearly require an understanding of these linkages if
solutions are to be found. These challenges include changing
demographics, rapid urbanization, responding to worldwide food and
fiber supply needs, changing domestic and world trade policies, and
increased global competition in raw agricultural commodities and
value added products.
(d) Pupils need to understand all of the following:
(1) The role that agriculture plays in the economy.
(2) The role science plays in changing agriculture.
(3) The relationship of agriculture and the environment.
(4) The wide variety of employment opportunities that exist in the
industry.
(e) A basic education across curriculum subjects, and grade levels
can strengthen students' understanding, of agriculture and its
fundamental importance to society.
(f) It is in the best interest of the public that a statewide
comprehensive program, with state level coordination and regional
delivery, be established to infuse agricultural education into a
broad range of academic subject areas, provide a stronger career
preparation program to meet the needs of a dynamic and competitive
agricultural industry in California, and to provide for better
informed citizens in the state.

8982. (a) The State Department of Education, in consultation with
the State Agricultural Advisory Committee shall establish a
nonmandatory comprehensive agricultural education program for
prekindergarten and kindergarten children and grades 1 to 12,
inclusive, to provide statewide coordination for agricultural
education in California schools.
(b) The program shall include, but shall not be limited to, the
following elements:
(1) The development, review and dissemination of curriculum and
instruction materials to ensure accuracy, grade appropriateness, and
support of State Standards and Frameworks.
(2) Professional development for student teachers and practicing
teachers.
(3) The development of statewide educational activities for
pupils.
(4) State level consultation with local education agencies,
agricultural organizations, and universities and colleges, for
materials review, professional development, and support.
(5) The coordination and monitoring of the regional agricultural
education program delivery.
(c) The program shall provide for regional delivery of education
in agricultural awareness, literacy, career exploration, and
preparation activities that include, but not be limited to, the
following:
(1) Development of collaborative models, utilizing matching state
and community-based funds, to develop objective, age appropriate
materials for use in classrooms within each of California's
agriculture production regions.
(2) Technical assistance to local districts and private parties,
including agricultural foundations, agricultural associations,
nonprofit trade associations and businesses.
(3) Development of a statewide resource center.
(4) Coordination and delivery of professional development
activities on a regional basis.
(5) Coordination of regional pupil activities.
(6) Coordination and monitoring of funding within the regions.