On July 13, 2011, California Governor approved SB 48, also known as the FAIR Education Act, which became a law the following day. The law amended the Education Code to include the contributions of various cultural and ethnic groups, including LGBT Americans, in the history of California and the United States. It also prohibited discriminatory content in classroom instruction and instructional materials, emphasizing the protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation. The law took effect on January 1, 2012, and applied to grades one through twelve, with local districts determining how the content was included in the curriculum.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Date approved by governor | July 13, 2011 |
Date filed with Secretary of State | July 14, 2011 |
Date delivered to governor | February 7, 2023 |
Date law took effect | January 1, 2012 |
State | California |
Bill type | Senate Bill |
Bill number | SB48 |
Bill name | Pupil instruction: prohibition of discriminatory content |
Bill sponsor | Leno |
What You'll Learn
SB48 became law in California in 2011
In 2011, California's FAIR Education Act, also known as SB48, became law. The act was approved by the Governor on July 13, 2011, and filed with the Secretary of State on July 14, 2011.
SB48 amended Sections 51204.5, 51500, 51501, 60040, and 60044 of the Education Code, relating to instruction. The law made several additions to the Education Code sections dealing with the course of study, classroom instruction, and instructional materials.
One of the key changes introduced by SB48 was the addition of language to Education Code Section 51204.5, which prescribes the inclusion of the contributions of various groups in the history of California and the United States. This section already included men and women and several ethnic groups. The expanded language now includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, persons with disabilities, and members of other ethnic and cultural groups.
SB48 also added requirements regarding instructional materials. Education Code Section 51501 outlines prohibitions on material included in textbooks or other instructional materials. The bill added "sexual orientation" to the list of characteristics included in these provisions, along with race or ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, and nationality.
The legislation also provided a reminder to charter and alternative schools that they are prohibited from engaging in discrimination per Section 235 of the Education Code. This law took effect on January 1, 2012, and gave local districts the flexibility to determine how the instructional content is included in their curricula.
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It amended the Education Code to include the contributions of various groups
The FAIR Education Act, SB 48, was signed into law on July 14, 2011, and took effect on January 1, 2012. It amended the California Education Code to include the contributions of various groups in history and social studies curriculum.
SB 48 amended the Education Code to include a study of the role and contributions of various groups to the economic, political, and social development of California and the United States. The bill added language to Education Code Section 51204.5, which already included men, women, and numerous ethnic groups. The new language includes:
> "a study of the role and contributions of both men and women, Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, European Americans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, persons with disabilities, and members of other ethnic and cultural groups, to the economic, political, and social development of California and the United States of America, with particular emphasis on portraying the role of these groups in contemporary society."
The bill also amended Education Code Sections 51501 and 60044 to include a prohibition on materials that reflect adversely on persons based on their "sexual orientation." In addition, the bill amended Education Code Section 60040 to require governing boards to adopt instructional materials that "accurately portray the cultural and racial diversity of our society," including the contributions of all the groups listed in Section 51204.5.
The FAIR Education Act provides a more inclusive and diverse curriculum for California students, ensuring that the contributions of various groups are recognized and valued. It also helps to promote equality and reduce discrimination by ensuring that all students see themselves and their communities represented in the curriculum.
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It added language to Education Code Section 51204.5
Senate Bill 48 (SB 48) was signed into law by the Governor of California on July 13, 2011, and filed with the Secretary of State on July 14, 2011. The bill made several amendments to the Education Code, specifically targeting sections related to instruction and prohibiting discriminatory content.
One of the key changes introduced by SB 48 was the addition of language to Education Code Section 51204.5. This section, which falls under the purview of instruction in social sciences, previously included a study of the role and contributions of both men and women, as well as various ethnic groups, to the development of California and the United States. The new language added by SB 48 expanded this scope significantly.
The updated Section 51204.5 now includes the following:
> "Instruction in social sciences shall include the early history of California and a study of the role and contributions of both men and women, Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, European Americans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, persons with disabilities, and members of other ethnic and cultural groups, to the economic, political, and social development of California and the United States of America, with particular emphasis on portraying the role of these groups in contemporary society."
This addition ensures that the curriculum recognises and teaches about the contributions of a diverse range of groups to the development of California and the nation as a whole. It promotes inclusivity and representation by highlighting the importance of various marginalised communities in history.
In addition to the changes made to Section 51204.5, SB 48 also made amendments to other sections of the Education Code. These changes were aimed at reinforcing the prohibition of discriminatory content in instructional materials and school activities, as well as emphasising the need for accurate portrayal of cultural and racial diversity. The bill took effect on January 1, 2012, providing schools and districts with the flexibility to determine how to incorporate the new content into their curricula.
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It amended the Good Samaritan law in Arkansas
The Good Samaritan Law in Arkansas was amended by SB48, which became Act 47 in 2023. The bill was first introduced in the Senate on January 11, 2023, and was passed on January 25. It was then passed by the House on February 2, 2023, and delivered to the Governor on February 7, 2023.
The Good Samaritan Law offers legal protection to individuals who provide emergency assistance to those who are injured, ill, or in peril. The amendment to this law by SB48 seeks to extend this protection to certain persons and nonprofit organizations who provide suicide prevention interventions. This means that those who offer help or assistance to individuals at risk of suicide will not be held legally liable for any harm or damages that may occur as a result of their intervention.
The amendment to the Good Samaritan Law in Arkansas is a significant step towards recognizing and addressing the importance of mental health and suicide prevention in the state. By providing legal protection to individuals and organizations offering suicide prevention services, the state encourages more people to get involved and play an active role in helping those in crisis.
The specific details of the amended Good Samaritan Law in Arkansas, including the scope of protection offered to individuals and nonprofit organizations providing suicide prevention interventions, can be found in the text of Act 47. This Act supersedes the previous version of the Good Samaritan Law and outlines the updated legal protections and provisions related to suicide prevention interventions in the state.
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It prohibits discriminatory content in pupil instruction
SB48, also known as the Pupil Instruction: Prohibition of Discriminatory Content bill, was approved by the Governor of California on July 13, 2011, and filed with the Secretary of State on July 14, 2011.
SB48 amends Sections 51204.5, 51500, 51501, 60040, and 60044 of the Education Code, relating to instruction. The bill prohibits discriminatory content in pupil instruction and school-sponsored activities, including instruction that promotes a discriminatory bias based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, nationality, sexual orientation, or other specified characteristics.
Prior to the bill, existing law required instruction in social sciences to include a study of the role and contributions of both men and women, as well as specified categories of persons, to the development of California and the United States. SB48 expands this to include the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, persons with disabilities, and members of other cultural groups.
The bill also addresses the adoption of instructional materials and textbooks, prohibiting the State Board of Education and school districts from adopting materials that contain any matter reflecting adversely upon persons based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, nationality, sexual orientation, occupation, or other specified characteristics. School districts are required to adopt instructional materials that accurately portray the cultural and racial diversity of society, including the contributions of various groups to the development of California and the United States.
In summary, SB48 strengthens the prohibition of discriminatory content in pupil instruction and school activities, promotes the inclusion of diverse groups in instructional materials, and ensures that all adopted instructional materials accurately portray the cultural and racial diversity of California and the United States. These measures help to create a more inclusive and equitable educational environment for all pupils.
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Frequently asked questions
SB48 became law on July 13, 2011, after being approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on July 14, 2011.
The law amended California's Education Code to include the contributions of various cultural groups in the history of California and the US in instructional materials and classroom teaching. It also added requirements regarding instructional materials, including the prohibition of discriminatory content based on sexual orientation.
The law requires instruction in history and social sciences to include the contributions of diverse groups, such as Native Americans, African Americans, LGBT Americans, and persons with disabilities, in the development of California and the US. It is up to local districts and teachers to determine how this content is included in the curriculum, but it applies to grades 1 through 12.