An act to add Article 6 (commencing with Section 52205) to Chapter 7 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction.
Summary
AB 2332 would require the California Department of Education to designate a Dual Language Immersion Coordinator by July 1, 2027. The coordinator would serve as the department’s point of contact for local educational agencies that want to start or expand dual language immersion programs, and would facilitate communication and sharing of resources and best practices among districts, charter schools, county offices of education, and certain regional programs.
The bill also requires the coordinator to create, publish, and maintain an online directory of operative dual language immersion programs by January 1, 2028. That directory must identify each participating local educational agency and schoolsite, the partner language offered, the program model, and a contact person. The bill defines dual language immersion programs as programs serving both English learners and native English speakers with the goals of academic achievement, bilingual proficiency, and cross-cultural understanding.
Impact
AB 2332 would add a new article to the Education Code governing dual language immersion coordination within the Department of Education. It would not create a new grant program or appropriate new funding, but it would impose new administrative duties on the department and potentially on local educational agencies if they must provide information for the directory. Because of those local reporting or maintenance obligations, the bill is treated as a state-mandated local program, with reimbursement available if the Commission on State Mandates determines reimbursable costs exist.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong support and no recorded opposition: the bill passed committee unanimously, including a 9-0 vote to do pass and re-refer to Appropriations with a recommendation for the consent calendar. No committee transcript excerpts were provided, but the unanimous votes suggest the measure was viewed favorably and as relatively noncontroversial. The bill’s focus on coordination, information-sharing, and program visibility likely contributed to that positive reception.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is fiscal and administrative rather than policy-based. The bill requires the Department of Education to take on a new coordinator role and maintain a statewide directory, and it may require local educational agencies to supply or update program information. Those added duties could create compliance costs and raise state-mandate reimbursement issues. Otherwise, the bill appears to have broad support, with no documented opposition in the provided materials.
An act to amend Sections 44671 and 49600 of, and to add Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 52210) to Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of, the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction.
An act to add Article 8 (commencing with Section 51480) to Chapter 3 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction.
An act to add Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 51805) to Chapter 5 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of, and to repeal Section 51805.8 of, of the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction.
An act to add Article 6 (commencing with Section 74298) to Chapter 5 of Part 46 of Division 7 of Title 3 of the Education Code, relating to community colleges. An act to amend Section 53369.3 of the Government Code, relating to local government.
An act to add Article 7 (commencing with Section 33600) to Chapter 4 of Part 20 of Division 2 of Title 2 of the Education Code, relating to pupil achievement.