East SBV Times

Senate Bill 1412, authored by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, aimed at closing a loophole in state regulations to protect the integrity of curriculum development for public schools in grades K-12, has been vetoed by the Governor. This bill is part of a series of three education bills introduced by the Senator this year.

"As a mother of three young adults, I understand how crucial it is for students to receive an exceptional education throughout their elementary, middle, and high school years," stated Senator Ochoa Bogh. "I have been dedicated to ensuring that all California students have access to quality education. SB 1412 would have helped ensure that the process of developing curriculum frameworks remained balanced by fostering a neutral environment that ultimately benefits our children. It’s essential that we bring parity to the curriculum-setting process, with the same care and standards applied at all levels of education. I am saddened by the Governor’s decision to veto this bill but remain committed to improving educational standards for our children."

The bill sought to prohibit individuals who profit from selling curriculum or professional development from serving on key committees involved in developing curriculum frameworks. This measure aimed to extend existing conflict-of-interest protections from grades K-8 to grades 9-12.

"It is unfortunate that Senate Bill 1412 has been vetoed. It would have brought the conflict-of-interest portion of the Education Code into the 21st century," said Brian Conrad, Professor of Mathematics at Stanford University. "By focusing broadly on curriculum vendors and encompassing the full timeline of the curricular framework process, it would have given the public more confidence that the creation and implementation of state curricula for K-12 adheres to appropriate ethical standards. Current state law prohibits the conflict-of-interest encountered by Richard Feynman in 1964, but it remains long overdue for an update."

Professor Jelani Nelson from UC Berkeley commented, "SB 1412 tightens conflict of interest rules for serving in roles that set curricular guidelines for California's schools. Signing it into law should have been a no-brainer, and I'm shocked to see this outcome."

Despite this setback, Senator Ochoa Bogh continues her commitment to advocating for policies within her Math Excellence bill package aimed at math reform and improving education quality across California.