Senate Committee Okays Portantino’s Higher Ed Package

The Senate Education Committee today advanced two higher education bills authored by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge). The bills are designed to continue Portantino’s efforts for reform and accountability.

AB 2 Higher Ed Accountability – establishes a comprehensive accountability framework for the state’s colleges and universities that would streamline and coordinate information on the successes and deficiencies of the state’s higher education systems. This bill will provide data for parents, students, faculty and administrators when comparing campuses at the University of California, California State University and the California Community Colleges.

“It is imperative that during these tough economic times we maximize our limited resources. Goals, objectives and accountability standards for our public colleges and universities are a great place to put this into practice,” commented Assemblymember Portantino.

AB 91 Community College Financial Aid – requires the Chancellor’s office to establish a 3-year pilot program to increase student participation in state and federal financial aid programs with the goal of making it easier for students to apply for aid. Community College students currently apply for either a BOG fee waiver or the FAFSA or both. But, if they don’t file the longer, FAFSA form, they miss out on Cal Grants and Pell Grants, scholarships, student loans and work-study. Studies indicate only about a third of eligible students apply for federal aid.