BILL NUMBER: SB 890	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Scott
   (Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Portantino)
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Berryhill and Torrico)

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2007

   An act to add Article 6.3 (commencing with Section 54710) to
Chapter 9 of Part 29 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code,
relating to pupils.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 890, as introduced, Scott. Pupils: early college commitment
program.
   Existing law requires a school district maintaining any of grades
7 to 12, inclusive, to offer to all otherwise qualified pupils in
those grades a course of study fulfilling the requirements and
prerequisites for admission to the California public institutions of
postsecondary education and to provide a timely opportunity to each
of those pupils to enroll within a 4-year period in each course
necessary to fulfill those requirements and prerequisites.
   Existing law authorizes a school district to apply to establish a
University and College Opportunities Program with existing local or
categorical funds. The program plan developed by a school district or
school is required to include, among other things, college
counseling to assist pupils in preparing application forms for
college admission, to procure scholarships, and other financial aid,
and to meet all deadlines for these programs.
   This bill would establish the early college commitment program.
Participation by school districts in the program would be voluntary.
The bill would require the Superintendent of Public Instruction,
among other program duties, to designate the 30% of school districts
that operate middle and high schools with the highest proportion of
low-income pupils, as defined, as college opportunity zones. A
participating school district that is identified as a college
opportunity zone by the Superintendent would be required to give all
pupils enrolled in grades 6 to 9, inclusive, and their parent or
legal guardian, the opportunity to sign "Save Me a Spot in College"
pledge cards developed by the Superintendent. Other participating
school districts would be required to give pupils who are eligible
for free and reduced-price meals and are enrolled in grades 6 to 9,
inclusive, and their parent or legal guardian, the opportunity to
sign a pledge card and would be authorized to give any pupil enrolled
in grades 6 to 9, inclusive, and their parent or legal guardian, the
opportunity to sign a pledge card. The bill would require
participating school districts to provide college information and
college preparation events targeted towards pupils who sign pledge
cards.
   The bill would provide that a pupil who signs a pledge card
declares a commitment to prepare for college, finish high school, and
enroll in college and commits, among other things, to meet all
graduation requirements, take rigorous college preparatory or career
technical coursework, complete and file a free application for
federal student aid and submit their grade point average to the
Student Aid Commission by March 2 of their senior year.
   The bill would encourage the California Community Colleges, the
University of California, the California State University,
independent colleges, the California Student Opportunity and Access
Program, the Student Aid Commission, and other nonprofit, business,
or other community organizations to provide support services as
needed in coordination with local school districts.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a
program to ensure early notification and early commitment of college
opportunities for pupils in middle school and high school and their
families. It is the intent of the Legislature that the program
motivate pupils to stay in school, graduate from high school, take
rigorous coursework, and, if they choose to do so, seek postsecondary
opportunities.
  SEC. 2.  Article 6.3 (commencing with Section 54710) is added to
Chapter 9 of Part 29 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code,
to read:

      Article 6.3.  Early College Commitment Program


   54710.  The early college commitment program is hereby established
for the purpose of accomplishing all of the following goals:
   (a) Increase high school completion rates, direct college-going
rates, and college preparation of pupils attending schools with the
greatest poverty and among low-income pupils in general.
   (b) Motivate pupils to prepare for college by taking rigorous
college preparatory coursework or rigorous career technical
coursework, depending on their interests in pursuing direct
university admission or specific technical education programs in
community college.
   (c) Help families understand that college is attainable and
affordable, that financial aid is available, and that with the right
preparation their children can go to college if they choose to do so.

   (d) Provide a clear path for pupils through middle schools, high
schools, community colleges, universities, and state and federal
financial aid programs, thereby improving opportunity and efficiency.

   (e) Strengthen the state's historic promise of college access made
in the 1960 Master Plan for Higher Education and express this
commitment directly to middle and high school pupils and their
families.
   (f) Prepare the highly skilled workforce necessary to keep
California's economy competitive, maintain the income and quality of
life for California residents, increase tax revenues, and provide for
improved civic and democratic participation.
   54711.  (a) Participation by school districts in the early college
commitment program is voluntary. A school district that chooses to
participate in the program is encouraged to do so districtwide, with
all schools in the district participating, and shall provide
schoolwide college information and college preparation events
targeted towards pupils who sign "Save Me a Spot in College" pledge
cards.
   (1) A participating school district that is identified as a
college opportunity zone district shall give all pupils enrolled in
grades 6 to 9, inclusive, and their parent or legal guardian, or the
appropriate person in the case of foster youth, the opportunity to
sign a "Save Me a Spot in College" pledge card.
   (2) Other participating school districts shall give pupils who are
eligible for free and reduced-price meals and are enrolled in grades
6 to 9, inclusive, and their parent or legal guardian, or the
appropriate person in the case of foster youth, the opportunity to
sign a "Save Me a Spot in College" pledge card and may give any pupil
enrolled in grades 6 to 9, inclusive, and their parent or legal
guardian, or the appropriate person in the case of foster youth, the
opportunity to sign a "Save Me a Spot in College" pledge card.
   (b) A participating school district shall record data and track
pupils who enroll in the program in their existing pupil records and
provide necessary reports to the Superintendent to monitor and
evaluate the program.
   54712.  The Superintendent shall perform the following
responsibilities:
   (a) Identify school districts as college opportunity zones. In
determining which school districts shall be identified as college
opportunity zones, the Superintendent shall designate the 30 percent
of school districts that operate middle and high schools with the
highest proportion of low-income pupils. For purposes of this
subdivision, a low-income pupil is a pupil who is eligible for free
or reduced-price meals.
   (b) Develop the "Save Me a Spot in College" pledge card.
   (c) Develop the letter and information materials about the program
and college opportunities to be mailed to all school districts and
accredited private and independent schools that maintain any of
grades 6 to 9, inclusive.
   (d) Consult with the California Community Colleges, the University
of California, the California State University, the Student Aid
Commission, and independent colleges and universities in developing
the pledge, letter, and supporting materials.
   (e) Determine the form of special recognition pupils who meet the
requirements of the pledge will receive at the time of high school
graduation.
   (f) Develop a method to collect data from participating school
districts to track enrolled pupils and evaluate the effectiveness of
the program.
   54713.  (a) A pupil who signs a pledge card declares a commitment
to prepare for college, finish high school, and enroll in college and
commits to do all of the following:
   (1) Meet all graduation requirements to finish high school in
California.
   (2) Take rigorous college preparatory or career technical
coursework.
   (3) Seek proficiency in mathematics and in reading and writing in
English.
   (4) Complete and file a free application for federal student aid
and submit his or her grade point average to the Student Aid
Commission by March 2 of his or her senior year.
   (5) Meet application and other requirements for university
admission or enroll directly in community college soon after high
school graduation.
   (b) At the time of enrollment, each pupil shall receive a
certificate of participation in the early college commitment program,
with his or her name, and bearing the signature of the
Superintendent and the Governor.
   (c) Participating pupils shall also to receive a booklet of
college information providing more specific information about
eligibility requirements, preparation steps, and other pertinent
information. School districts shall provide information and services,
through existing programs, to the pupils who sign pledge cards
through their middle school and high school years.
   (d) Pupils enrolled in early college commitment program who meet
their pledge will be eligible to continue their postsecondary
education at a California community college to pursue career
technical education or a degree, or to transfer to a four-year
university, or, if they meet the admission requirements and apply for
admission, at the University of California or the California State
University. Pupils who are eligible and demonstrate financial need,
as determined pursuant to the free application for federal student
aid, to help cover the costs of fees, books, supplies,
transportation, and living expenses at postsecondary institutions
will receive financial aid.
   54714.  The Legislature encourages the California Community
Colleges, the University of California, the California State
University, independent colleges, the California Student Opportunity
and Access Program, the Student Aid Commission, and other nonprofit,
business, or other community organizations to provide support
services as needed in coordination with local school districts.