BILL ANALYSIS AB 1901 Page 1 ASSEMBLY THIRD READING AB 1901 (Ruskin) As Amended May 20, 2010 Majority vote HIGHER EDUCATION 9-0 -------------------------------- |Ayes:|Block, Norby, Adams, | | |Chesbro, Fong, Fuller, | | |Galgiani, Portantino, | | |Ruskin | | | | -------------------------------- SUMMARY : Codifies various findings and declarations contained in the report "Appreciating Our Past, Ensuring Our Future: A Public Agenda for Public Higher Education in California" by the Joint Committee on the Master Plan for Higher Education (Joint Committee), including: 1)California needs a system to provide clear, concise statewide goals or outcomes for higher education attuned to the public interest of the people. 2)California's higher education system should be accessible to all eligible California students. 3)California needs a higher education system that is affordable to California students and a financial aid strategy that meets California goals. 4)California's higher education system should be accountable with increased efficiencies both fiscally and programmatically and with a focus on completion and results. 5)California needs increased coordination and efficiency in the delivery of higher education that includes sufficient authority placed in a coordinating body, articulation between the higher education segments that includes a transfer associate degree, adequate preparation in K-12 education, and increased career technical education opportunities. 6)California needs a sound financing mechanism aligned with statewide goals to ensure that the state's higher education AB 1901 Page 2 needs are met. FISCAL EFFECT : Keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel. COMMENTS : This bill serves as the legislative vehicle and a work in progress for the report issued from the Joint Committee. The Joint Committee, established pursuant to ACR 65 (Ruskin), Resolution Chapter 106, Statutes of 2009, was created to review the Master Plan and create a framework to ensure that higher education continues to thrive. To date, the Joint Committee has held seven informational hearings, conducting a needs-based assessment of higher education in California. The Joint Committee plans to hold an additional working group meeting to discuss the identified needs of California's public higher education segments and potential legislative solutions to the issues raised in the Joint Committee hearings. Analysis Prepared by : Laura Metune / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960 FN: 0004462