The Turlock Unified School District approved a resolution endorsing early college commitment in a unanimous decision made at Tuesday's board of trustees meeting. The resolution expresses the District's support of SB 890, which was created to improve high school graduation rates, especially among low-income students and to ensure California has the well-educated population needed to provide a healthy democracy and competitive economy.
The "Early College Commitment" bill, introduced by State Sen. Jack Scott and Assemblyman Anthony Portantino as SB 890, ensures that students and families understand that if they prepare for college in middle school, California will provide students the opportunity to pursue career technical education or a college degree in community colleges and universities. In addition the bill will provide financial assistance for eligible students with need.
The Early College Commitment bill was the product of Campaign for College Opportunity, a California non-profit organization devoted to ensuring that the next generation of college-age student have the opportunity to go to college as promised in the 1960 Master Plan for Higher education.
The idea behind SB 890 is to get students thinking about the possibility of higher education at a young age to ensure that both families and students will be prepared for the realistic expectations.
"All students should have access to higher education," Jessie Ryan, Central Valley director for the Campaign for College Opportunity, said. "We know here in the Central Valley we have some of the lowest college rates in the state."
According to the Campaign for College Opportunity, the college-going rates have declined for high school graduates of every ethnic group over the last 10 years.
The core and mission of the campaign is to ensure that students and families have all the necessary information about committing early to higher education.
"We make a promise to students in junior high that there will be space available for them in college," Ryan said. "Each student that participates signs a 'Save Me a Spot in College' pledge."
SB 890 establishes "college opportunity zones" in school districts with a high percentage of low-income students. Students will be given the opportunity to sign a 'Save Me a Spot in College' pledge and in other districts students eligible for free and reduced-price meals could also sign a pledge. Students will pledge to take college prep or career-techincal coursework, finish high school, file an application for financial aid and enroll in college.
In addition, SB 890 also encourages nonprofit, business and community organizations to get involved. The idea is to connect students, parents and communities to promote a positive academic environment.
One Turlock resident familiar with the opportunities available through the Early Commitment to College program is John H. Pitman graduate Jacqueline Holt, a youth ambassador for Early College Commitment.
"My sophomore English teacher brought this idea to class and we all had to enter a contest for it," Holt said. "Throughout we learned a lot about higher education and I think towards the end of high school a lot of students think college is a good idea but it is too late by then."
Early Commitment to College would create a new voluntary tool from the California Department of Education for school districts to motivate and support students to achieve academically. CDE estimates the cost of this effort to total $125,000 in order to develop the program and enlist school districts to participate.
