Bill could make more students eligible to attend UC and CSU

A bill introduced in the California Senate today could increase the number of high school students who complete the A-G courses required to attend the University of California or California State University.

The A-G sequence is the minimum standard needed for admission to both state university systems.

Senate Bill 309, introduced by Sen. Connie M. Leyva, D-Chico, would establish a $200 million grant program for school districts. Most of that — $150 million — would be used to increase the number of A-G courses in school districts or charter schools that have fewer than 45% of its student completing the courses required to attend the universities. The other $50 million would fund grants for districts that include the A-G requirements in their local graduation requirements, but have a A-G completion rate below 80%.

The bill also requires schools to begin to notify parents about high school graduation requirements, as well as eligibility requirements for the state universities when their child is in eighth grade.

State data shows that 51% of students who graduate from public schools meet the minimum requirements to attend a state university, Leyva said.

“SB 309 will help ensure that all high school students, regardless of where they may live or study, have the opportunity to take coursework that will prepare them to attend a public university here in California,” Leyva said. “By leveling the playing field and empowering school districts to better help their students will certainly help to set even more California students on a path to success.”

The bill must be approved by both the state Senate and Assembly and signed by the governor before it becomes law.