(SACRAMENTO)- Today Governor Jerry Brown approved California’s College Promise, a landmark $15 million grant program to help students achieve a college degree or certificate. Assembly Bill 1741 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) and Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) creates the California College Promise Innovation Awards, a grant program designed to incentivize the creation of regional college promise programs that promote college readiness and degree attainment.
“Assembly Bill 1741 and the accompanying $15 million that was provided in the State Budget demonstrates California’s commitment to investing in the future of our students,” said Rodriguez. “California’s College Promise will close achievement gaps and give every student the opportunity to succeed.”
The California College Promise Innovation Grant Program is modeled on successful programs such as Long Beach College Promise that engage local school districts, universities, government agencies and non-profits in collaborative partnerships. California’s College Promise will ensure students graduate high school college-ready and prepared to enter college-level courses; increase the percentage of students who earn degrees or career technical education certificates; increase transfer rates from a community college to a 4-year institution; and reduce and eliminate achievement gaps.
“The Long Beach College Promise is a model program that demonstrates when schools and college campuses work together, higher education enrollment increases and graduation rates improve,” said Assemblymember O’Donnell, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee. “The California College Promise will take Long Beach's success statewide by ensuring districts across the state have the resources to create similar pathways that help students achieve their educational goals.”
The $15 million was included as part of the 2016-2017 State Budget.
###
Assemblymember Rodriguez represents the 52nd Assembly District which includes the cities of Chino, Montclair, Ontario, Pomona and portions of unincorporated Fontana.
Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell represents the 70th Assembly District, which includes Long Beach, Signal Hill, San Pedro and Catalina Island.