An act to add and repeal Article 12 (commencing with Section 89298) of Chapter 2 of Part 55 of Division 8 of Title 3 of the Education Code, relating to public postsecondary education.
Summary
AB 1858 would create a temporary California State University pilot program to jointly award an associate degree in general education studies to former CSU students who are no longer enrolled, have completed coursework equivalent to an associate degree, and have not already earned one. The degree would be conferred jointly by a CSU campus and a community college or independent postsecondary institution that awards associate degrees, and it would be provided at no cost to the former student. The bill requires CSU Long Beach to participate and allows the Chancellor to add other CSU campuses.
The pilot would begin only if the Legislature appropriates funds for it, with implementation to start by July 1, 2027. The Chancellor of the CSU would have to identify eligible former students, verify completion of requirements, and report to the Legislature by January 1, 2032 on the program’s effectiveness, including the number of degrees awarded, student demographics, outcomes, and recommendations. The program would become inoperative on June 30, 2032, and be repealed on January 1, 2033.
Impact
AB 1858 would add a new, time-limited article to the Education Code governing a CSU joint associate degree pilot program. It creates a new authority for CSU to collaborate with community colleges or independent institutions to confer associate degrees on former CSU students, notwithstanding existing Education Code provisions limiting CSU’s degree structure. The bill would not broadly change CSU’s mission, but it would carve out a specific exception for this pilot and impose reporting, eligibility, and administration requirements on the CSU Chancellor and participating campuses.
Sentiment
The available vote history suggests generally favorable committee sentiment, with the bill receiving a 10-0 do pass vote as amended and re-referred to Appropriations. However, the bill was later stalled when the committee hearing was postponed, indicating procedural delay rather than recorded opposition. Overall, the measure appears to have been viewed positively as a student-completion initiative, at least at the committee level.
Contention
The main policy issue is whether CSU should be authorized to jointly confer associate degrees for former students, which touches on the traditional division of responsibilities among California’s higher education segments. The bill also depends on a legislative appropriation, so funding is a practical point of concern. Any debate would likely center on implementation details such as identifying eligible former students, verifying completed coursework, coordinating between institutions, and whether the pilot should remain limited to CSU Long Beach or expand to other campuses.
An act to amend Sections 15102, 15106, 15268, and 15270 of, to add Article 8 (commencing with Section 89800) to Chapter 6 of Part 55 of Division 8 of Title 3 of, to add Article 7 (commencing with Section 92170) to Chapter 2 of Part 57 of Division 9 of Title 3 of, and to add Part 71 (commencing with Section 101200) to Division 14 of Title 3 of, the Education Code,
relating to education finance, by providing the funds necessary therefor through an election for the issuance and sale of bonds of the State of California and for the handling and disposition of these funds.
An act to add Section 37224 to, and to add Article 12 (commencing with Section 66095) to Chapter 2 of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of, the Education Code, and to amend Sections 11131 and 54961 of the Government Code, relating to holidays.
An act to add Article 1.7 (commencing with Section 66728) to Chapter 9.2 of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code, relating to public postsecondary education.
An act to add Article 14 (commencing with Section 66098) to Chapter 2 of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code, relating to public postsecondary education.
An act to add Article 4.95 (commencing with Section 66048) to Chapter 2 of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code, relating to public postsecondary education.
An act to amend Sections 44671 and 49600 of, and to add Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 52210) to Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of, the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction.