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
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            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