The Donahoe Higher Education Act sets forth the missions and functions of Californias public segments of higher education and their respective institutions of higher education. The California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, and the University of California, under the administration of the Regents of the University of California, are 2 of the segments. Provisions of the act apply to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California act, by appropriate resolution, to make them applicable.

This bill would require the California State University, and would request the University of California, to develop and implement a 4-year accountability plan for outreach to, and admission of, first-generation college students to the segment, as specified. The bill would require the California State University, and would request the University of California, to submit an annual report to the Assembly Committee on Education, the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, and the Senate Committee on Education on the implementation and ongoing administration of the accountability plan, as provided.

The Donahoe Higher Education Act sets forth the missions and functions of Californias public segments of higher education and their respective institutions of higher education. The California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, and the University of California, under the administration of the Regents of the University of California, are 2 of the segments. Provisions of the act apply to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California act, by appropriate resolution, to make them applicable.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to require the California State University, and to request the University of California, to reserve a certain number or percentage of admission seats or slots for eligible first-generation applicants. require the California State University, and would request the University of California, to develop and implement a 4-year accountability plan for outreach to, and admission of, first-generation students to the segment, as specified. The bill would require the California State University, and would request the University of California, to submit an annual report to the Assembly Committee on Education, the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, and the Senate Committee on Education on the implementation and ongoing administration of the accountability plan, as provided.

The Donahoe Higher Education Act sets forth the missions and functions of Californias public segments of higher education and their respective institutions of higher education. The California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, and the University of California, under the administration of the Regents of the University of California, are 2 of the segments. Provisions of the act apply to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California act, by appropriate resolution, to make them applicable.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to require the California State University, and to request the University of California, to reserve a certain number or percentage of admission seats or slots for eligible first-generation applicants.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Anna Caballero, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular Session

AB 2953 (Alvarez) - Public postsecondary education: University of California and California State University: first-generation college students: outreach and admission

Bill Summary:

This bill requires the California State University (CSU), and requests the University of California (UC), to develop and implement a four-year accountability plan for outreach and admission of first-generation college students to their institutions.

Fiscal Impact:

• The CSU estimates General Fund costs of about $15 million to develop and implement a plan to provide outreach to high schools to identify and provide outreach and advisement to first-generation students who are not meeting A-G requirements. This estimate assumes that at least 100 counselors would need to be utilized to perform the outreach work required by this bill at a cost of $150,000 each. There would be additional travel costs for the counselors of approximately $500,000 each year. Further, the CSU indicates that it would need two administrative staff at the systemwide office at a cost of $300,000 each year.
• The UC indicates that the costs to develop and implement an outreach plan would be minor and absorbable since it has already implemented a plan that fulfills the requirements of this bill.

Background:

As indicated in the Assembly Higher Education Committee analysis, the California Community College (CCC) DataMart system identified 433,792 first-generation students attending a CCC in the fall of 2023. In the of fall 2023, the CSU reported that approximately 136,300 undergraduate students had parents who did not attend college, and the UC reported that 37 percent of undergraduates identified as first-generation college students.

According to the author, “We must urge CSU and UC administrations to spearhead a 4-year accountability plan dedicated to amplifying the presence of first-generation students on our campuses. By strategically targeting underrepresented areas in California and ensuring outreach efforts are robust, we can pave the way for more equitable access to education. A commitment to reporting not only holds the segments accountable but also showcases a dedication to transparency and improvement. This initiative works to breaking down barriers and empowering individuals who have historically been marginalized. Let's set a precedent that outreaches to first-generation students, laying the groundwork that expands higher education access for all.”

Proposed Law:

This bill requires the CSU, and requests the UC, to develop and implement a 4-year accountability plan for outreaching and admitting first-generation college students to their respective segment. It requires the CSU and requests the UC to target outreach under the plan to geographic areas of California that are disproportionally underrepresented in admission to the segment and have low rates of completion of the A–G admission requirements.

This bill provides that the prescribed plan may build on a current initiative, plan, or program of the segment to facilitate outreach to first-generation college students.

This bill requires the CSU, and requests the UC, to submit an annual report, commencing January 1, 2026, to the Assembly Committee on Education, the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, and the Senate Committee on Education on the implementation and ongoing administration of the bill’s provisions. It also specifies that the report may include legislative recommendations to prioritize first-generation college students for outreach and admission to the segments.

Related Legislation:

ACR 147 (Alvarez, Chapter 136, Statutes of 2024) designates November 8, 2024, as “California’s First-Generation College Celebration Day” and urges higher education institutions in California to recognize and celebrate the day to further support first-generation college students.

Staff Comments:

First-generation college students are commonly referred to as individuals whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree. These students may be missing a valuable source of preparation and guidance that comes with having parents who have completed college.

“A-G requirements” are the courses that high school students are required to take to be eligible to be admitted to a UC or CSU. Students must take a total of 15 courses across seven subject areas and also receive a grade of “C” or better in each course for that course to count towards the requirement.

This bill attempts to focus outreach efforts on specific geographic areas within California that are disproportionally underrepresented in admission to the higher education segment and have low rates of completion of A-G admission requirements.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Senator Josh Newman, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular

Bill No: Hearing Date: June 19, 2024

Subject: .

SUMMARY

This bill requires the California State University (CSU), and requests the University of California (UC) to develop and implement a four-year accountability plan for outreach and admission of first-generation students to their institutions. The bill further requires that CSU and requests that UC, submit a report to the Legislature on these plans, beginning January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter.

BACKGROUND

Existing law:

1) Establishes the Donahoe Higher Education Act, setting forth the mission of the

UC and the CSU. (Education Code (EC) § 66010, et seq.)

2) Establishes the CSU system and bestows upon the CSU Trustees, through the Board of Trustees, the power, duties, and functions with respect to the management, administration, and control of the CSU system. (EC § 66606 and 89030, et seq.)

3) Establishes the UC as a public trust to be administered by the Regents of the UC; and, grants the Regents full powers of organization and government, subject only to such legislative control as may be necessary to insure security of its funds, compliance with the terms of its endowments, statutory requirements around competitive bidding and contracts, sales of property and the purchase of materials, goods and services. (Article IX, Section (9)(a) of the California Constitution)

ANALYSIS

This bill:

1. Requires the CSU and requests the UC to develop and implement a 4-year accountability plan for outreaching and admitting first-generation students to their respective segment.
2. Requires the CSU and requests the UC to target outreach under the plan to geographic areas of California that are disproportionally underrepresented in admission to the segment and have low rates of completion of the A–G admission requirements.
3. Stipulates that the prescribed plan may build on a current initiative, plan, or program of the segment to facilitate outreach to first-generation students.
4. Requires the CSU, and requests the UC to, submit an annual report, commencing January 1, 2026, to the Assembly Committee on Education, the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, and the Senate Committee on Education on the implementation and ongoing administration of the bill’s provisions. It further specifies that the report may include legislative recommendations to prioritize first-generation students for outreach and admission to the segments.

STAFF COMMENTS

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, “We must urge CSU and UC administrations to spearhead a 4-year accountability plan dedicated to amplifying the presence of first-generation students on our campuses. By strategically targeting underrepresented areas in California and ensuring outreach efforts are robust, we can pave the way for more equitable access to education. A commitment to reporting not only holds the segments accountable but also showcases a dedication to transparency and improvement. This initiative works to breaking down barriers and empowering individuals who have historically been marginalized. Let's set a precedent that outreaches to first-generation students, laying the groundwork that expands higher education access for all.”
2. Renewed focus on first generation college students. First-generation college students are commonly identified as individuals whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree. These students face the realities of missing a valuable source of preparation and guidance that comes with having parents who have completed college. As a result, they are likely to experience significant challenges in accessing college, succeeding academically once they enroll, and completing their degree. Despite these challenges, many succeed, and degree attainment often means improved economic conditions for themselves and their children. According to the Center for First Generation Student Success’ 2020 factsheet, the median income of first-generation students’ parents was $41,000 in both 2016 and 2020, whereas the median income of continuing-generation students’ parents increased from $90,000 in 2016 to $103,000 in 2020. For first-generation college graduates, UC reports that 7 years after graduation UC first generation students’ median income has surpassed that of their families. College success can be life changing for these students. The Center for First Generation Student Success indicates that, across postsecondary education, there is a renewed focus on first-generation college students due to shifting populations entering higher education, continual increases in first-generation college student enrollment, the debate surrounding rising tuition and costs, and genuine desires for a rise in graduation rates and a better-prepared workforce. This bill requires the CSU, and requests the UC to, to create and execute a four-year accountability plan aimed at outreaching to, and admitting first-generation students to their respective institutions. Staff understands that each segment is already engaged in these efforts to varying degrees.
3. First-generation college students in California. As indicated in the Assembly Higher Education Committee analysis, the California Community College (CCC) DataMart system identified 433,792 first-generation students attending a CCC in the fall of 2023. In the fall of 2023, the CSU reported that approximately 136,300 undergraduate students had parents who did not attend college, and the UC reported that 37 percent of undergraduates identified as first-generation college students. Several programs have been established on campuses to support first-generation students and other under-resourced students succeed in college, including all of the following:
   1. The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), established in 1969, focuses on providing support programs to help first-generation and economically disadvantaged students succeed in their undergraduate programs. While the EOP is primarily on California State University campuses, a version of EOP also exists on CCC campuses and is called Extended Opportunity Programs and Services.
   2. The Puente Project was originally established by Chabot College and has since expanded to community colleges across that state. Puente Project primary goal is to help community college students successfully transfer to four-year universities by providing academic and mentoring support.
   3. The Umoja program is a nationally recognized program currently offered at the CCC, CSU, and UC and is focused on assisting Black students matriculate to graduation.
   4. Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Student Achievement Program at CSU and UC. It is designed to provide tailored academic assistance for underserved and first-generation AANHPI students.

In recent years, the Legislature has specifically appropriated funding through the budget process several support these projects.

1. UC/CSU A-G course requirements. High school students are required to take a total of 15 courses across seven subject areas just to be eligible to attend the UC or CSU directly from high school. Additionally, a student must receive a grade of “C” or better in each course for that course to count toward the requirement. Those requirements are as follows:

• Area A -Two years of history/social science, including one year of world history, cultures and historical geography, and one year of U.S. history, or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of American government or civics.
• Area B - Four years of college preparatory English that integrates reading of classic and modern literature, frequent and regular writing, and practice listening and speaking.
• Area C - Three years of college-preparatory math, including or integrating the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. Four years strongly recommended.
• Area D - Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of the three disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Three years strongly recommended.
• Area E -Two years of the same language other than English or equivalent to the second level of high school instruction.
• Area F - One year of visual and performing arts chosen from dance, music, theater or the visual arts.
• Area G - One year of a college-preparatory elective beyond those used to satisfy the requirements above, or courses that have been approved solely in the elective area.

This bill attempts to focus outreach efforts on specific geographic areas within California that are disproportionally underrepresented in admission to the higher education segment and have low rates of completion of A-G admission requirements.

1. Amendment. In order to maintain consistency with other statutes and measures, staff recommends amending the bill to replace the term “first-generation students” with “first-generation college students” throughout the bill.
2. Related legislation.

ACR 147 (Alvarez), which is pending a hearing in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations, designates November 8, 2024, as “California’s First-Generation College Celebration Day” and urges higher education institutions in California to recognize and celebrate the day to further support first-generation college students.

SUPPORT

Mana De San Diego (Sponsor)

California Charter Schools Association

Universidad Popular

OPPOSITION

None received

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 2953

Author:(Alvarez)

As Amended Ver:March 11, 2024

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires the California State University (CSU), and requests the University of California (UC) to, develop and implement a 4-year accountability plan for outreach to, and admission of, first-generation students to each segment, as specified.

Major Provisions

1. Requires the CSU, and requests the UC to, develop and implement a 4-year accountability plan for outreach to, and admission of, first-generation students to the segment.
2. Requires the CSU, and requests the UC to, target outreach under the plan described in (1) above to geographic areas of California that are disproportionally underrepresented in admission to the segment, and have low rates of completion of the A–G admission requirements.
3. Specifies that the plan, as enumerated in (1) above, may build off of a current initiative, plan, or program of the segment for outreach to first-generation students.
4. Requires the CSU, and requests the UC to, on or before January 1, 2026, and each January 1 thereafter, to submit an annual report to the Assembly Committee on Education, the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, and the Senate Committee on Education on the implementation and ongoing administration of the accountability plan.
5. Provides that a report described in (4) above may include legislative recommendations to prioritize first-generation students for outreach and admission to the segment.

COMMENTS

Admission requirements. Students must take certain high school courses in order to be eligible to be accepted into the UC or CSU. These courses are referred as the "A-G" subject requirements. However, these A-G course requirements surpass what is required in order to satisfy State's minimum requirements in order to graduate from a public high school. For the A-G courses to count: (1) Students must pass with a grade "C" or better; and, (2) The course has to be on a student's high school's "A – G" list. Below, reflects the current A-G subject requirements:

Area: "A"

Subject: History/Social Science

Years Required: Two years of history/social science. 

1. One year of U.S. History OR one semester each of U.S. History and civics or American Government. 
2. One year of:
   1. CSU:  History/social science from the "A" or "G" subject area.
   2. UC:  World or European history, cultures, or geography from the "A" subject area.

Area: "B"

Subject: English

Years Required: Four years of college-prep English with frequent writing.

Area:"C"

Subject: Mathematics

Years Required: Three years* of college-prep mathematics. Courses include topics covered in elementary algebra, advanced algebra, and two-and three-dimensional geometry.

*Four years strongly recommended. 

Area: "D"

Subject: Laboratory Science

Years Required: Two years* of college-prep science, including:

1) CSU: One biological science and one physical science.

2) UC:  Courses in two of these three subjects: biology, chemistry, and physics.

a) Earth or space science can count for one year. 

b) Computer science, engineering, and applied science can count for a third year of science and beyond.

*Three years strongly recommended. 

Area: "E"

Subject: Language other than English (LOTE)

Years Required: Two years of the same language other than English.

Area: "F"

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts (VPA)

However, according to data, compiled by EdSource, while the vast majority of students in California, 86% of seniors in 2023 to be exact, graduate from high school, most, 56% in 2023, did not complete their A-G subject requirements. EdSource's analysis found that Black and Latinx students were the least likely to complete A-G subject requirements. In 2023, 68% of Black students, and 64% of Latinx students did not meet A-G subject requirements, compared with 26% of Asian American students and 48% of White students. Further, the highest non-completion group in 2023 were foster students at 88%, followed by students with disabilities (not disaggregated by disabilities) at 85%, and English learners at 82%. Lastly, the EdSource analysis found that, of the 1,766 high schools in California, approximately half graduated, more than 56%, of students lacking the required college preparatory courses. Fewer than 2 out of 10 students met A-G rates in 2023 in many northern counties, such as Lake, Del Norte, Plumas, Lassen, Nevada, Tehama, and Trinity. Just 3 out of 10 students in some of the counties that comprise the Central Valley – counties of Kern, Merced, Tulare, and Kings - met the requirements. That compares to the Bay Area in San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, and Marin counties where more than 5 out of 10 students met A-G requirements. 

Please refer to the policy committee analysis for further discussion.

According to the Author

According to the author, "this bill seeks to alleviate hurdles to higher education access for first generation students in CA. It works with existing data reports in asking for targeted outreach to geographic regions of CA with low A-G high school graduate completion."

The author contends that, "research clearly identifies that students of color are overwhelmingly first gen[eration], and many of them are not eligible to apply to our CA public universities. We are seeking to address one aspect of the higher ed[ucation] access problem by prompting the segments to build off existing practices or organizing new outreach by using data informed targeted outreach to CA regions being left behind in A-G eligibility."

Arguments in Support

According to the California Charter Schools Association:

AB 2953 would require the California State University (CSU) and request the University of California (UC) administrations to develop a 4-year plan for outreach and admission of first-generation students, targeting underrepresented regions and focusing on areas with low A-G completion rates. The bill aims to foster a fairer admissions process, ensuring transparency through regular reporting to the legislature. Recognizing the barriers faced by first-generation students, particularly in underrepresented communities, AB 2953 endeavors to promote equitable access to higher education and create a more inclusive learning environment. By addressing these challenges, the bill empowers all students to pursue their academic aspirations."

Arguments in Opposition

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations:

1. Ongoing General Fund costs, potentially in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, to CSU to develop and implement a plan to provide outreach to high schools to identify and provide outreach and advisement to first-generation students who are not meeting A-G requirements. Costs would ultimately depend on the scope of the CSU’s plan.

2) CSU indicates it likely would hire counselors to perform the outreach work required by this bill. Salary and benefits for a counselor are about $150,000.

3) Minor ongoing General Fund costs to UC to develop and implement a plan. UC indicates it already has a plan it has implemented that fulfills the requirements of this bill.

VOTES

ASM HIGHER EDUCATION: 11-0-0

YES: Mike Fong, Ta, Arambula, Boerner, Chen, Alanis, Irwin, Jackson, Addis, Muratsuchi, Quirk-Silva

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 15-0-0

YES: Wicks, Sanchez, Arambula, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Dixon, Mike Fong, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Jim Patterson, Pellerin, Ta, Villapudua

UPDATED

VERSION: March 11, 2024

CONSULTANT: Jeanice Warden / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960 FN: 0003258

Date of Hearing: May 1, 2024

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2953

Author:(Alvarez) – As Amended Ver:March 11, 2024

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

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the California State University (CSU), and requests the University of California (UC), to develop and implement a four-year accountability plan for outreach and admission of first-generation students to their institutions. The bill further requires, CSU, and requests UC, to submit a report to the Legislature on these plans, beginning January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter.

The bill specifically requires CSU, and requests UC, to target outreach under their plan to geographic areas of California that are disproportionally underrepresented in admission to the universities, and have low rates of completion of the A-G admission requirements. The bill specifies the plan may build off of a current initiative, plan, or program at the CSU or UC to provide outreach to first-generation students.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. Ongoing General Fund costs, potentially in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, to CSU to develop and implement a plan to provide outreach to high schools to identify and provide outreach and advisement to first-generation students who are not meeting A-G requirements. Costs would ultimately depend on the scope of the CSU’s plan.

CSU indicates it likely would hire counselors to perform the outreach work required by this bill. Salary and benefits for a counselor are about $150,000.

1. Minor ongoing General Fund costs to UC to develop and implement a plan. UC indicates it already has a plan it has implemented that fulfills the requirements of this bill.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author:

Research clearly identifies that students of color are overwhelmingly first gen, and many of them are not eligible to apply to our CA public universities. We are seeking to address one aspect of the higher ed access problem by prompting the segments to build off existing practices or organizing new outreach by using data informed targeted outreach to CA regions being left behind in A-G eligibility.

1. Background. While this bill does not define “first-generation student,” a first-generation college student is generally understood to be a college student whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree. 56% of all college students are first-generation college students. First-generation college students may face challenges in college-going that their peers with parents who attended at least some college do not. The state has about 489,000 students enrolled in grade twelve annually, and of these, 56% do not complete A-G requirements.

“A-G admission requirements” are the courses a high school student must successfully complete to be admitted to the UC or CSU. For the high school class of 2023, 56% of graduates did not complete A-G requirements, with disproportionately fewer Black and Latino/Hispanic students completing the A-G requirements.

1. Related Legislation. ACR 147 (Alvarez) designates November 8, 2024, as “California’s First-Generation College Celebration Day” and urges higher education institutions in California to recognize and celebrate the day to further support first-generation college students. The bill is pending on the Assembly floor.

Analysis Prepared by: Natasha Collins / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 16, 2024

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Mike Fong, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2953 (

Author:Alvarez) – As Amended Ver:March 11, 2024

SUBJECT: Public postsecondary education: University of California and California State University: first-generation students: outreach and admission.

SUMMARY: Requires the California State University (CSU), and requests the University of California (UC) to, develop and implement a 4-year accountability plan for outreach to, and admission of, first-generation students to each segment, as specified. Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires the CSU, and requests the UC to, develop and implement a 4-year accountability plan for outreach to, and admission of, first-generation students to the segment.
2. Requires the CSU, and requests the UC to, target outreach under the plan described in (1) above to geographic areas of California that are disproportionally underrepresented in admission to the segment, and have low rates of completion of the A–G admission requirements.
3. Specifies that the plan, as enumerated in (1) above, may build off of a current initiative, plan, or program of the segment for outreach to first-generation students.
4. Requires the CSU, and requests the UC to, on or before January 1, 2026, and each January 1 thereafter, to submit an annual report to the Assembly Committee on Education, the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, and the Senate Committee on Education on the implementation and ongoing administration of the accountability plan.
5. Provides that a report described in (4) above may include legislative recommendations to prioritize first-generation students for outreach and admission to the segment.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the Donahoe Higher Education Act, setting forth the mission of the UC and the CSU (Education Code (EC) Section 66010, et seq.).
2. Establishes the CSU system, made of 23 campuses, and bestows upon the CSU Trustees, through the Board of Trustees, the power, duties, and functions with respect to the management, administration, and control of the CSU system (EC Section 66606 and 89030, et seq.).
3. Establishes the UC as a public trust to be administered by the Regents of the UC; and, grants the Regents full powers of organization and government, subject only to such legislative control as may be necessary to insure security of its funds, compliance with the terms of its endowments, statutory requirements around competitive bidding and contracts, sales of property and the purchase of materials, goods and services (Article IX, Section (9)(a) of the California Constitution).

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS: Need for the measure. According to the author, “this bill seeks to alleviate hurdles to higher education access for first generation students in CA. It works with existing data reports in asking for targeted outreach to geographic regions of CA with low A-G high school graduate completion.”

The author contends that, “research clearly identifies that students of color are overwhelmingly first gen[eration], and many of them are not eligible to apply to our CA public universities. We are seeking to address one aspect of the higher ed[ucation] access problem by prompting the segments to build off existing practices or organizing new outreach by using data informed targeted outreach to CA regions being left behind in A-G eligibility.”

Admission requirements. Students must take certain high school courses in order to be eligible to be accepted into the UC or CSU. These courses are referred as the “A-G” subject requirements. However, these A-G course requirements surpass what is required in order to satisfy State’s minimum requirements in order to graduate from a public high school. For the A-G courses to count: (1) Students must pass with a grade “C” or better; and, (2) The course has to be on a student’s high school’s “A - G” list. Below, reflects the current A-G subject requirements:

Area: “A”
Subject: History/Social Science
Years Required: Two years of history/social science. 

• One year of U.S. History OR one semester each of U.S. History and civics or American Government. 
• One year of:
  • CSU:  History/social science from the “A” or “G” subject area.
  • UC:  World or European history, cultures, or geography from the “A” subject area.

Area: “B”
Subject: English
Years Required: Four years of college-prep English with frequent writing.

Area: “C”
Subject: Mathematics
Years Required: Three years* of college-prep mathematics. Courses include topics covered in elementary algebra, advanced algebra, and two-and three-dimensional geometry. 
*Four years strongly recommended. 

Area: “D”
Subject: Laboratory Science
Years Required: Two years* of college-prep science, including:

• CSU: One biological science and one physical science.
• UC:  Courses in two of these three subjects: biology, chemistry, and physics.
  • Earth or space science can count for one year. 
  • Computer science, engineering, and applied science can count for a third year of science and beyond.

*Three years strongly recommended. 

Area: “E”
Subject: Language other than English (LOTE)
Years Required: Two years of the same language other than English.

Area: “F”
Subject: Visual and Performing Arts (VPA)

However, according to data, compiled by EdSource, while the vast majority of students in California, 86% of seniors in 2023 to be exact, graduate from high school, most, 56% in 2023, did not complete their A-G subject requirements. EdSource’s analysis found that Black and Latinx students were the least likely to complete A-G subject requirements. In 2023, 68% of Black students, and 64% of Latinx students did not meet A-G subject requirements, compared with 26% of Asian American students and 48% of White students. Further, the highest non-completion group in 2023 were foster students at 88%, followed by students with disabilities (not disaggregated by disabilities) at 85%, and English learners at 82%. Lastly, the EdSource analysis found that, of the 1,766 high schools in California, approximately half graduated, more than 56%, of students lacking the required college preparatory courses. Fewer than 2 out of 10 students met A-G rates in 2023 in many northern counties, such as Lake, Del Norte, Plumas, Lassen, Nevada, Tehama, and Trinity. Just 3 out of 10 students in some of the counties that comprise the Central Valley – counties of Kern, Merced, Tulare, and Kings - met the requirements. That compares to the Bay Area in San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, and Marin counties where more than 5 out of 10 students met A-G requirements. 

The graphs below, from EdSource’s analysis, reflect the narrative above.

Committee comments. This measure, requires the CSU, and requests the UC to, develop and implement a 4-year accountability plan for outreach to, and admission of, first-generation students to the segment, as specified. However, the measure is silent as to the definition of “first-generation” student. Committee Staff understands that this term does not have a consensus in the field.

Moving forward, the author may wish to work with the CSU, UC, and other appropriate stakeholders in order to define “first generation” student for purposes of this measure.

This measure also requires the CSU, and requests the UC to, on or before January 1, 2026, and each January 1 thereafter, to submit an annual report to the Assembly Committee on Education, the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, and the Senate Committee on Education on the implementation and ongoing administration of this measure. It is unclear why this report would need to be issued every year and in perpetuity.

Moving forward, the author may wish to work with the CSU and UC in order to determine a feasible duration for the reports to be issued and have a sunset.

Arguments in support. According to the California Charter Schools Association

AB 2953 would require the California State University (CSU) and request the University of California (UC) administrations to develop a 4-year plan for outreach and admission of first-generation students, targeting underrepresented regions and focusing on areas with low A-G completion rates. The bill aims to foster a fairer admissions process, ensuring transparency through regular reporting to the legislature. Recognizing the barriers faced by first-generation students, particularly in underrepresented communities, AB 2953 endeavors to promote equitable access to higher education and create a more inclusive learning environment. By addressing these challenges, the bill empowers all students to pursue their academic aspirations.”

Related measures. ACR 147 (Alvarez), which is pending a hearing in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations, designates November 8, 2024, as “California’s First-Generation College Celebration Day” and urges higher education institutions in California to recognize and celebrate the day to further support first-generation college students.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

California Charter Schools Association 
MANA de San Diego

Opposition

None on file.

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