In its 1960 Master Plan for Higher Education, the state declared that all Californians should have the opportunity for a college education. Alas, California now ranks 40th in the nation in the percentage of students who enter college after high school.
State Sen. Jack Scott, D-Pasadena, wants to reverse that with Senate Bill 890, which would create an Early College Commitment Program. The bill passed the Senate on a 32-3 vote last June and went to the Assembly, where it has languished in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. That committee must act by Aug. 7 to get the bill to the floor.
Modeled on Indiana's successful Twenty-First Century Scholars Program, SB890 would establish "college opportunity zones" in school districts with high proportions of low-income students. Students in sixth through ninth grades would have a chance to sign a pledge in which they promise to take college prep or career-technical coursework, finish high school, file for financial aid and enroll in college. If they keep their pledge, the state would guarantee them a spot in a public university or community college.
The state Department of Education puts the cost of the bill at $125,000 – which it promises to absorb in its existing budget. But others are concerned that increasing college-going rates among lower-income students might put cost pressure on community colleges, since lower-income students qualify for fee waivers.
Isn't more kids going to college a problem worth having?
Besides, the bill requires that students apply for federal financial aid. California has one of the lowest federal Pell Grant rates in the nation for community colleges. SB890 is one way to make sure that students apply for federal aid.
This bill should help reduce dropout rates, increase college-going rates and boost federal financial aid coming to the state. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and committee chairman Mark Leno should get SB890 to the floor for a vote before Thursday's deadline.
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