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Dear Supporters of Marching Band, JROTC, Cheerleading, Drill Team, Color Guard and California Cadet Corps...and all of our wonderful students,

I am sorry to report that the President Pro Tem of the Senate, Darrell Steinberg, has decided not to allow AB 1569 -- formerly AB 351 -- to move forward in the Senate. Although we have been badly treated by Assembly Members Brownley and Torlakson in the Assembly Committee on Education, the Speaker of the Assembly, Karen Bass, does not want it returned to the Assembly or heard in the Senate. The fact that our wonderful author of the bill, Assembly Member Mary Salas (Chula Vista), worked courageously, collaboratively and extensively on amendments, the fact that we have the votes to support the bill within the Committee and the full Assembly, as well as quite possibly the Senate thanks to Senator Gloria Romero (L.A.), doesn't seem to matter. It's pure politics.

For now San Diego Unified is going to regroup and reassess as there remains reason to be concerned. Last month the Commission on Teacher Credentialing issued guidance that they updated a few days ago. (Click HERE.) The original guidance was troubling because it seems to suggest that instructors in these programs must have not one, but two teaching credentials. One in the content area and another in physical education if PE credit is awarded to the student. However, they reissued the memo and it seems to weaken the authority of the California Department of Education slightly in this process, so we are not sure what that means just yet. However, in a hearing before the State Board of Education, Riverside Unified was essentially told that there was no need for a waiver regarding our programs and not to worry. Finally, the FITKids Act which seeks to amend No Child Left Behind, remains a concern since it seems to track much of what we have been fighting against. In a nutshell, all of this seems somewhat confusing and cause for some lingering concern.

On the brighter side, we have had a number of victories and went further than we have ever gone before. 1) After many months of requests and demands, the California Department of Education finally issued guidance due to pressure from AB 351. (Click HERE.) The State Board of Education also amended its PE Frameworks in response to our concerns. Finally and perhaps most importantly, we have shined a light on this entire subject, such that our arguments have been organized, heard and we hope will be remembered. In short, we have more organized arguments and more documentation from more regulatory agencies than ever before to support those arguments.

So in the meantime, we reassess and take a break for the summer.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the support you have given these two bills and all of the work you have done. We have all learned a lot and our opponents are learning that we are not taking any of this lying down. We have gathered a number of supporters in Sacramento and beyond. Once we have reassessed, we may call on them again. There is always the next legislative session.

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Support California Assembly Bill No. 1569, co-authored by Assembly Members Mary Salas, Fiona Ma, and Senator Gloria Romero! Sponsored by both the San Diego and Los Angeles Unified School Districts.

A private education shouldn't be necessary for California students to participate in marching band, JROTC, cheer, drill team, color guard, dance team, California Cadet Corps and interscholastic athletics.

We can save these important programs in our public schools if you're willing to act now!

Recently, these programs that do so much to enhance our children's education have come under attack. California school districts are struggling with new interpretations regarding physical education credit in public schools. For over 50 years boards of education, superintendents and school districts have enjoyed local control in such decisions. Marching band, JROTC, cheer, drill team, color guard, dance team, California Cadet Corps and interscholastic athletics have long qualified as physical education because they are academically challenging, physically demanding and provide important leadership skills.

Unfortunately, some districts have reasonably determined that the California Department of Education no longer allows these programs to be substituted for PE. Programs in some districts have already suffered significant drops in enrollments. (See Data to Use Button.)

AB 351, sponsored by the San Diego Unified School District and the Los Angeles Unified School District, and co-authored by Assembly Members Mary Salas and Fiona Ma with Senator Gloria Romero, clarifies the local control that school districts have known for generations, once again giving school districts the authority to make these decisions. If you care about these programs in your school and your community, we need your help now!