(a) The Legislature finds and declares that improved science education in elementary and secondary schools contributes to improvements in student performance. The Legislature further finds that the California Writing Project and the California Mathematics Project are exemplary training programs which were established to improve student competence in writing and mathematics through effective in-service education and training programs for teachers in these subject areas. The Legislature recognizes that the California writing and math projects provide effective models which could be utilized in providing staff development for teachers in science.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the Regents of the University of California consider establishing the California Science Project, to be administered jointly by the Regents of the University of California and the Trustees of the California State University in cooperation with the State Department of Education. The purpose of this project shall be to provide in-service education to elementary and secondary teachers in public schools.

It is also the intent of the Legislature that projects be distributed throughout the state so that elementary and secondary school personnel located in rural, urban, and suburban areas may benefit from the in-service education opportunities. It is further the intent of the Legislature that participating school districts, colleges, and universities coordinate these projects with staff development programs and activities currently administered by the State Department of Education, including, but not limited to, teacher education and computer centers established in the same geographic area. It is further the intent of the Legislature that the scientists in the community be contacted in order to determine their interest in participating in the projects.

(Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 1486, Sec. 1.)