Section 101401 - Legislative findings and declarations The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) A University of California, Berkeley report estimates that 85 percent of the classrooms in California are more than 25 years old, 30 percent of the classrooms are between 50 to 70 years old, and about 10 percent of the classrooms are 70 years old or older.(b) Research on school building conditions and student outcomes finds a consistent relationship between poor facilities and poor performance by students. School facilities that are clean, in good repair, and designed to support high academic standards are more likely to support higher student achievement, regardless of student socioeconomic status. Students who receive instruction in buildings with good environmental conditions can earn test scores that are 5 to 17 percent higher than scores for students in substandard buildings.(c) About one-third of new jobs in California will require some training beyond high school but less than a four-year degree. Career technical education, also known as vocational training, connects students to these career opportunities by providing industry-based skills.(d) The School Facility Program is almost out of funding. School districts across California have submitted a total of $3,300,000,000 in new construction and modernization projects and they are waiting to be funded.(e) There are over 1,000 charter schools in California, and those charter schools are primarily located in urban areas. Charter schools often face significant financial challenges in securing adequate facilities. Therefore, supporting charter school facilities is essential to ensuring that all students have access to high-quality learning environments. By investing in the construction and rehabilitation of charter school buildings, we can help ensure these schools can provide safe, modern, and conducive learning environments. This support is important for fostering educational innovation and providing equitable educational opportunities for all students.(f) Small and disadvantaged school districts often face significant challenges in maintaining and upgrading their facilities. These districts serve some of the most vulnerable student populations and frequently lack the resources to address critical infrastructure needs.(g) The California Community Colleges is the largest postsecondary educational system in the United States, historically serving approximately 2,100,000 students annually. The California Community Colleges have billions of dollars in need for construction of new facilities for enrollment growth and for modernization of existing facilities.Added by Stats 2024 ch 81 (AB 247),s 28, eff. 11/6/2024 (Approved in Proposition 2 at the November 5, 2024 election.).