Existing law establishes the Student Opportunity and Access Program, administered by the Student Aid Commission, to distribute funds on a progress payment schedule for projects designed to increase the accessibility of postsecondary educational opportunities for certain groups of elementary and secondary school pupils and, to the extent of available resources, for community college students. Existing law requires these projects to be proposed and operated through consortia that involve at least one secondary school district office, at least one 4-year college or university, at least one community college, and at least one nonprofit educational, counseling, or community agency or private vocational or technical school that is accredited as specified.

This bill would, contingent upon sufficient funding provided in the annual Budget Act or other statute, require the Student Aid Commission to ensure that at least one consortium is established, in accordance with the requirements of existing law, to serve the pupils of Orange County.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for Orange County.

Existing law establishes the Student Opportunity and Access Program, administered by the Student Aid Commission, to distribute funds on a progress payment schedule for projects designed to increase the accessibility of postsecondary educational opportunities for certain groups of elementary and secondary school pupils and, to the extent of available resources, for community college students. Existing law requires these projects to be proposed and operated through consortia that involve at least one secondary school district office, at least one 4-year college or university, at least one community college, and at least one nonprofit educational, counseling, or community agency or private vocational or technical school that is accredited as specified.

This bill would, contingent upon sufficient funding provided in the annual Budget Act or other statute, require the Student Aid Commission to ensure that at least one consortium is established, in accordance with the requirements of existing law, to serve the pupils of Orange County.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for Orange County.

Existing law establishes the Student Opportunity and Access Program, administered by the Student Aid Commission, to distribute funds on a progress payment schedule for projects designed to increase the accessibility of postsecondary educational opportunities for certain groups of elementary and secondary school pupils and, to the extent of available resources, for community college students. Existing law requires these projects to be proposed and operated through consortia that involve at least one secondary school district office, at least one 4-year college or university, at least one community college, and at least one nonprofit educational, counseling, or community agency or private vocational or technical school that is accredited as specified.

This bill would would, contingent upon sufficient funding provided in the annual Budget Act or other statute, require the Student Aid Commission to ensure that at least one consortium is established, in accordance with the requirements of existing law, to serve the pupils of Orange County.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for Orange County.

Existing law establishes the Student Opportunity and Access Program, administered by the Student Aid Commission, to distribute funds on a progress payment schedule for projects designed to increase the accessibility of postsecondary educational opportunities for certain groups of elementary and secondary school pupils and, to the extent of available resources, for community college students. Existing law requires these projects to be proposed and operated through consortia that involve at least one secondary school district office, at least one 4-year college or university, at least one community college, and at least one nonprofit educational, counseling, or community agency or private vocational or technical school that is accredited as specified.

This bill would make a nonsubstantive change in a provision relating to the intent of the Legislature with respect to funding for purposes of the Student Opportunity and Access Program. require the Student Aid Commission to ensure that at least one consortium is established, in accordance with the requirements of existing law, to serve the pupils of Orange County.

Existing law establishes the Student Opportunity and Access Program, administered by the Student Aid Commission, to distribute funds on a progress payment schedule for projects designed to increase the accessibility of postsecondary educational opportunities for certain groups of elementary and secondary school pupils and, to the extent of available resources, for community college students.

This bill would make a nonsubstantive change in a provision relating to the intent of the Legislature with respect to funding for purposes of the Student Opportunity and Access Program.

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 584

Author:

:

Vote:

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 5-0, 6/28/17

AYES: Wilk, Galgiani, Leyva, Mendoza, Vidak

NO VOTE RECORDED: Allen, Pan

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 9/1/17

AYES: Lara, Bates, Beall, Bradford, Hill, Nielsen, Wiener

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 65-8, 5/31/17 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT:

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill requires the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to ensure that at least one California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) consortium is established in Orange County.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Authorizes CSAC as the administrators of Cal-SOAP, to apportion funds on a progress payment schedule for the support of projects designed to increase the accessibility of postsecondary educational opportunities for any of the following elementary and secondary school pupils:
   1. Students who are from low-income families.
   2. Students who would be the first in their families to attend college.
   3. Students who are from schools or geographic regions with documented low-eligibility or college participation rates.
   4. Pupils who are homeless youth, as specified.
2. Requires that the projects be proposed and operated through a consortium that involves at least one secondary school district office, at least one four-year college or university, at least one community college, and at least one agency, as specified.
3. Authorizes CSAC to develop additional regulations regarding the awarding of project grants and criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the individual projects (Education Code § 69561).

This bill:

1. Requires the CSAC to ensure that at least one Cal-SOAP consortium is established in Orange County.
2. Requires CSAC to retain authority over the established consortium in Orange County.
3. Makes the provisions of this bill contingent upon sufficient funding provided for in the annual Budget Act or other statute.
4. Makes legislative findings and declarations that a special law is necessary and that a general law cannot be made applicable because of the unique needs of the students of Orange County.

Comments

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, “Orange County students overall, outscore, outperform, and outrank the state average on standardized testing and other measures of achievement, but minority students in the Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana school districts are far more likely to drop out of high school than their Caucasian peers, with graduation rates hovering below the state average of 82%. In fact, Latinos represent 75% of the students who drop out of high school in Orange County. This education achievement gap is fueled by family and community poverty, language and cultural barriers, lack of advocacy, and limited education support outside of a stressed school system. Given these reasons, it is more crucial than ever that we provide a high quality education for students and provide students with resources in order to support a well prepared workforce, safer communities, and a thriving economy.”
2. Cal-SOAP. Cal-SOAP’s 14 inter-segmental consortia provide services directly to students and middle and high schools designed to increase the availability of information on postsecondary schooling and work opportunities. These consortia also work to raise the achievement levels of these students so as to increase the number of high school graduates eligible to pursue postsecondary learning opportunities. Cal-SOAP serves students in more than 300 elementary, middle, and high school campuses in 25 California counties. Collectively the 14 Cal-SOAP consortia annually serve over 120,000 students who had the greatest need. Cal-SOAP serves students who are first in their families to attend college and who are from schools or regions with documented low college participation rates. This program is administered by CSAC, which is the public agency responsible for allocating all state financial aid and for providing state financial aid information to students, counselors, high schools and community groups.
3. Cal-SOAP fiscal challenges. Challenges to program expansion and the addition of counties appear to be largely fiscal. According to a recent Cal-SOAP external evaluation, state funding does not appear adequate to fully fund Cal-SOAP’s existing needs. The evaluation notes that any reduction or reallocation of Cal-SOAP funding to new or existing projects would lead to cutbacks on current services provided by existing Cal-SOAP locations. This bill’s provisions are contingent upon sufficient funding provided for in the annual Budget Act or another statute. The budget provides roughly $7.7 million for about 14 Cal-SOAP consortia. However, new funding to expand the program was not proposed in this year’s budget.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, “approximately $250,000 to $300,000 General Fund in first-year costs and about $600,000 in ongoing General Fund to establish a Cal-SOAP consortium in Orange County. The bill’s provisions are contingent upon sufficient funding provided in the annual Budget Act or another statute. The 2017 Budget Act includes approximately $7.7 million for Cal-SOAP consortia. However, new funding to expand the program was not proposed in this year’s budget.”

SUPPORT: (Verified 9/1/17)

California Student Aid Commission

OPPOSITION: (Verified 9/1/17)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 65-8, 5/31/17

AYES: Acosta, Aguiar-Curry, Travis Allen, Arambula, Baker, Berman, Bloom, Bocanegra, Bonta, Burke, Caballero, Calderon, Cervantes, Chau, Chávez, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Cunningham, Dababneh, Daly, Frazier, Friedman, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Gloria, Gomez, Gonzalez Fletcher, Gray, Grayson, Holden, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Levine, Limón, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, Medina, Mullin, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, O'Donnell, Quirk, Quirk-Silva, Reyes, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Rubio, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Voepel, Waldron, Weber, Wood, Rendon

NOES: Bigelow, Dahle, Gallagher, Harper, Kiley, Mayes, Obernolte, Patterson

NO VOTE RECORDED: Brough, Chen, Choi, Eggman, Flora, Fong, Melendez

Prepared by:

9/2/17 13:37:33

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair

2017 - 2018 Regular Session

AB 584 (Quirk-Silva) - Student financial aid: California Student Opportunity and Access Program: Orange County

This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File.

Bill Summary:

This bill requires the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to ensure that at least one California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) consortium is established in Orange County.

Fiscal Impact:

Approximately $250,000 to $300,000 General Fund in first-year costs and about $600,000 in ongoing General Fund to establish a Cal-SOAP consortium in Orange County. The bill’s provisions are contingent upon sufficient funding provided in the annual Budget Act or another statute. The 2017 Budget Act includes approximately $7.7 million for Cal-SOAP consortia. However, new funding to expand the program was not proposed in this year’s budget.

Background:

Cal-SOAP’s 14 inter-segmental consortia provide services directly to students and middle and high schools designed to increase the availability of information on postsecondary schooling and work opportunities. These consortia also work to raise the achievement levels of these students so as to increase the number of high school graduates eligible to pursue postsecondary learning opportunities. Cal-SOAP serves over 120,000 students in more than 300 elementary, middle, and high school campuses in 25 California counties. Further, the program serves students who are first in their families to attend college and who are from schools or regions with documented low college participation rates. It is administered by CSAC, which is responsible for allocating all state financial aid and for providing state financial aid information to students, counselors, high schools and community groups.

Proposed Law:

This bill requires the CSAC to ensure that at least one California Student Opportunity and Cal-SOAP consortium is established in Orange County and provides that the CSAC shall retain authority over this consortium. The provisions of this bill would be contingent upon sufficient funding provided for in the annual Budget Act or other statute.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Senator Benjamin Allen, Chair

2017 - 2018 Regular

Bill No: AB 584 Hearing Date: June 28, 2017

Subject: Student financial aid: California Student Opportunity and Access Program: Orange County

SUMMARY

This bill requires the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to ensure that at least one California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) consortium is established in Orange County.

BACKGROUND

Existing law:

1. Authorizes CSAC as the administrators of Cal-SOAP, to apportion funds on a progress payment schedule for the support of projects designed to increase the accessibility of postsecondary educational opportunities for any of the following elementary and secondary school pupils:

• Students who are from low-income families.
• Students who would be the first in their families to attend college.
• Students who are from schools or geographic regions with documented low-eligibility or college participation rates.
• Pupils who are homeless youth, as specified.

1. Requires that the projects be proposed and operated through a consortium that involves at least one secondary school district office, at least one four-year college or university, at least one community college, and at least one agency, as specified.
2. Authorizes CSAC to develop additional regulations regarding the awarding of project grants and criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the individual projects (Education Code § 69561).

ANALYSIS

This bill:

1. Requires the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to ensure that at least one California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) consortium is established in Orange County.
2. Requires CSAC to retain authority over the established consortium in Orange County.
3. Makes the provisions of this bill contingent upon sufficient funding provided for in the annual Budget Act or other statute.
4. Makes legislative findings and declarations that a special law is necessary and that a general law cannot be made applicable because of the unique needs of the students of Orange County.

STAFF COMMENTS

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, “Orange County students overall, outscore, outperform, and outrank the state average on standardized testing and other measures of achievement, but minority students in the Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana school districts are far more likely to drop out of high school than their Caucasian peers, with graduation rates hovering below the state average of 82%. In fact, Latinos represent 75% of the students who drop out of high school in Orange County. This education achievement gap is fueled by family and community poverty, language and cultural barriers, lack of advocacy, and limited education support outside of a stressed school system. Given these reasons, it is more crucial than ever that we provide a high quality education for students and provide students with resources in order to support a well prepared workforce, safer communities, and a thriving economy.”
2. Cal-SOAP. Cal-SOAP’s 14 inter-segmental consortia provide services directly to students and middle and high schools designed to increase the availability of information on postsecondary schooling and work opportunities. These consortia also work to raise the achievement levels of these students so as to increase the number of high school graduates eligible to pursue postsecondary learning opportunities. Cal-SOAP serves students in more than 300 elementary, middle, and high school campuses in 25 California counties. Collectively the 14 Cal-SOAP consortia annually serve over 120,000 students who had the greatest need. Cal-SOAP serves students who are first in their families to attend college and who are from schools or regions with documented low college participation rates. This program is administered by CSAC, which is the public agency responsible for allocating all state financial aid and for providing state financial aid information to students, counselors, high schools and community groups.
3. Cal-SOAP fiscal challenges. Challenges to program expansion and the addition of counties appear to be largely fiscal. According to a recent Cal-SOAP external evaluation, state funding does not appear adequate to fully fund Cal-SOAP’s existing needs. The evaluation notes that any reduction or reallocation of Cal-SOAP funding to new or existing projects would lead to cutbacks on current services provided by existing Cal-SOAP locations. This bill’s provisions are contingent upon sufficient funding provided for in the annual Budget Act or another statute. The budget provides roughly $7.7 million for about 14 California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP)consortia. However, new funding to expand the program was not proposed in this year’s budget.
4. Things to consider. This bill requires California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to establish a new program in Orange County. Staff notes the existing 14 consortium counties are not specified in statute. Rather than listing a standalone county in statute and in the event that funding becomes available, should state policy focus on broadening the proposal to allow for other regions that have similar needs to participate in the program? Staff understands that statutory authority is not required for CSAC to establish a new Cal-SOAP consortium. However, funding is needed. Expanding the Cal-SOAP program appears to be a budgetary issue.

SUPPORT

California Student Aid Commission

OPPOSITION

None received

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 584

Author:(Quirk-Silva)

As Amended Ver:April 4, 2017

Majority vote

SUMMARY: Requires the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) ensure that at least one California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) consortium be established in Orange County.

EXISTING LAW: Authorizes CSAC as the administrators of Cal-SOAP, to apportion funds on a progress payment schedule for the support of projects designed to increase the accessibility of postsecondary educational opportunities for any of the following elementary and secondary school pupils: 1) pupils who are from low-income families; 2) pupils who would be the first in their families to attend college; 3) pupils who are from schools or geographic regions with documented low-eligibility or college participation rates; and, 4) pupils who are homeless youth, as specified. Requires that the projects be proposed and operated through a consortium that involves at least one secondary school district office, at least one four-year college or university, at least one community college, and at least one agency, as specified. Authorizes CSAC to develop additional regulations regarding the awarding of project grants and criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the individual projects (Education Code Section 69561).

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee:

1. Approximately $620,000 General Fund (GF) in year one to startup and operate a Cal-SOAP consortium in Orange County, and ongoing cost of $550,000 GF.
2. Minor and absorbable cost to CSAC to administer one additional Cal-SOAP consortium.

COMMENTS: Background. The California Student Opportunity and Access Program was established by the Legislature in 1978 and is administered by CSAC. Almost forty years later, Cal-SOAP remains instrumental in improving the flow of information about postsecondary education and financial aid while raising the achievement levels of at-risk populations throughout the state.

As of November 2016, Cal-SOAP projects are operated in 14 locations throughout California by consortia made up of secondary and postsecondary schools and community agencies. Cal-SOAP works in cooperation with other intersegmental outreach programs to avoid service duplication. Current Cal-SOAP projects include: Central Coast, Central Valley, East Bay, Greater Long Beach, Los Angeles, Merced, Northcoast, San Diego/Imperial County, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Barbara, Solano, South County Gilroy, and South San Joaquin Valley. Annual state funding for Cal-SOAP totals $7.7 million, or about $550,000 per consortium.

To note, because each project specializes in serving students within its community, the types of programs and services may differ. However, the projects share the common goal of improving the flow of information about postsecondary education and financial aid while raising achievement levels of targeted students. Some common services provided by the consortia include advising, tutoring, parent outreach, and college awareness workshops.

During 2016, through November, approximately 349 tutors and 379 college advisers were hired for all regions; approximately 242 Cash-for-College workshops were coordinated for all regions, serving an estimated 15,800 students and parents; and, approximately 270 financial aid workshops were coordinated for all regions, serving an estimated 14,400 students.

Committee staff understands that to date, there has been no involvement by CSAC in establishing a new Cal-SOAP consortium; however, according to CSAC, the Commission regularly submits Budget Change Proposals seeking funds in order to establish more Cal-SOAP consortium.

Need for the measure. According to the author, "Orange County students overall, outscore, outperform, and outrank the state average on standardized testing and other measures of achievement." However, the author contends that, minority students in the Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana School Districts are far more likely to drop out of high school than their peers with Latinos representing 75% of the students who drop out of high school in Orange County.

The author argues that, "This education achievement gap is fueled by family and community poverty, language and cultural barriers, lack of advocacy, and limited education support outside of a stressed school system."

This measure seeks to address these factors by assisting students in improving their academic performance and gaining exposure about postsecondary education and available financial aid, by establishing a Cal-SOAP consortium in Orange County.

Analysis Prepared by: Jeanice Warden / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960 FN: 0000633

Date of Hearing: April 26, 2017

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 584

Author:(Quirk-Silva) – As Amended Ver:April 4, 2017

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to establish at least one California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) consortium in Orange County, contingent upon sufficient funding provided in annual Budget Act or another statute.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. Approximately $620,000 General Fund (GF) in year one to startup and operate a Cal-SOAP consortium in Orange County, and on-going cost of $550,000 GF.
2. Minor and absorbable cost to CSAC to administer one additional Cal-SOAP consortium.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author, "Orange County students overall, outscore, outperform, and outrank the state average on standardized testing and other measures of achievement." However, the author contends that, minority students in the Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana School Districts are far more likely to drop out of high school than their peers with Latinos representing 75 percent of the students who drop out of high school in Orange County. The author argues that, "This education achievement gap is fueled by family and community poverty, language and cultural barriers, lack of advocacy, and limited education support outside of a stressed school system."
2. Background. Existing law authorizes CSAC, as the administrators of Cal-SOAP, to apportion funds on a progress payment schedule for the support of projects designed to increase the accessibility of postsecondary educational opportunities for any of the following elementary and secondary school pupils: a) pupils who are from low-income families; b) pupils who would be the first in their families to attend college; c) pupils who are from schools or geographic regions with documented low-eligibility or college participation rates; and, d) pupils who are homeless youth, as specified. Requires that the projects be proposed and operated through a consortium that involves at least one secondary school district office, at least one four-year college or university, at least one community college, and at least one agency.

Established by the Legislature in 1978, almost forty years later Cal-SOAP remains instrumental in improving the flow of information about postsecondary education and financial aid while raising the achievement levels of at-risk populations throughout the state. As of November 2016, Cal-SOAP projects are operated in 14 locations throughout California by consortia made up of secondary and postsecondary schools and community agencies. Cal-SOAP works in cooperation with other intersegmental outreach programs to avoid service duplication. Current Cal-SOAP projects include: Central Coast, Central Valley, East Bay, Greater Long Beach, Los Angeles, Merced, Northcoast, San Diego/Imperial County, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Barbara, Solano, South County Gilroy, and South San Joaquin Valley. Annual state funding for Cal-SOAP totals $7.7 million, or about $550,000 per consortium.

Analysis Prepared by: Daisy Gonzales / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 18, 2017

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Jose Medina, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 584 (

Author:Quirk-Silva) – As Amended Ver:April 4, 2017

SUBJECT: Student financial aid: California Student Opportunity and Access Program: Orange County.

SUMMARY: Requires the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) ensure that at least one California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) consortium be established in Orange County. Specifically, this bill:

1. Declares that a special law is necessary because of the unique needs of the pupils of Orange County.
2. Stipulates that contingent upon sufficient funding provided for the establishment of at least one Cal-SOAP consortium in the annual Budget Act or another statute, CSAC shall ensure the Cal-SOAP consortium is established in Orange County.
3. Requires CSAC to maintain authority over an established consortium in Orange County.

EXISTING LAW: Authorizes CSAC as the administrators of Cal-SOAP, to apportion funds on a progress payment schedule for the support of projects designed to increase the accessibility of postsecondary educational opportunities for any of the following elementary and secondary school pupils: a) pupils who are from low-income families; b) pupils who would be the first in their families to attend college; c) pupils who are from schools or geographic regions with documented low-eligibility or college participation rates; and, d) pupils who are homeless youth, as specified. Requires that the projects be proposed and operated through a consortium that involves at least one secondary school district office, at least one four-year college or university, at least one community college, and at least one agency, as specified. Authorizes CSAC to develop additional regulations regarding the awarding of project grants and criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the individual projects (Education Code Section 69561).

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown.

COMMENTS: Background. The California Student Opportunity and Access Program was established by the Legislature in 1978 and is administered by CSAC. Almost forty years later, Cal-SOAP remains instrumental in improving the flow of information about postsecondary education and financial aid while raising the achievement levels of at-risk populations throughout the state.

As of November 2016, Cal-SOAP projects are operated in 14 locations throughout California by consortia made up of secondary and postsecondary schools and community agencies. Cal-SOAP works in cooperation with other intersegmental outreach programs to avoid service duplication. Current Cal-SOAP projects include: Central Coast, Central Valley, East Bay, Greater Long Beach, Los Angeles, Merced, Northcoast, San Diego/Imperial County, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Barbara, Solano, South County Gilroy, and South San Joaquin Valley. Annual state funding for Cal-SOAP totals $7.7 million, or about $550,000 per consortium.

To note, because each project specializes in serving students within its community, the types of programs and services may differ. However, the projects share the common goal of improving the flow of information about postsecondary education and financial aid while raising achievement levels of targeted students. Some common services provided by the consortia include advising, tutoring, parent outreach, and college awareness workshops.

During 2016, through November, approximately 349 tutors and 379 college advisers were hired for all regions; approximately 242 Cash-for-College workshops were coordinated for all regions, serving an estimated 15,800 students and parents; and, approximately 270 financial aid workshops were coordinated for all regions, serving an estimated 14,400 students.

Committee staff understands that to date, there has been no involvement by CSAC in establishing a new Cal-SOAP consortium; however, according to CSAC, the Commission regularly submits Budget Change Proposals seeking funds in order to establish more Cal-SOAP consortium.

Need for the measure. According to the author, "Orange County students overall, outscore, outperform, and outrank the state average on standardized testing and other measures of achievement." However, the author contends that, minority students in the Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana School Districts are far more likely to drop out of high school than their peers with Latinos representing 75 percent of the students who drop out of high school in Orange County.

The author argues that, "This education achievement gap is fueled by family and community poverty, language and cultural barriers, lack of advocacy, and limited education support outside of a stressed school system."

This measure seeks to address these factors by assisting students in improving their academic performance and gaining exposure about postsecondary education and available financial aid, by establishing a Cal-SOAP consortium in Orange County.

Policy considerations. Based on information provided by the author's office, arguably, Orange County would most likely benefit from the establishment of a Cal-SOAP consortium. However, the Committee may wish to consider if it is the best policy to specifically name a region in statute, knowing that there are other regions that have similar needs and also lack Cal-SOAP consortium.

Additionally, since the implementation of this measure is contingent upon sufficient funding, the author may wish to work with the Department of Finance, the Legislative Budget Committees, and CSAC, in order to determine if more funds can and will be appropriated to CSAC for the creation of additional Cal-SOAP consortium.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Jeanice Warden / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960