Public education: basic skills training.

(1) Existing law establishes the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges as the 3 segments of public postsecondary education in this state. Existing law declares that it is the intent of the Legislature that those institutions provide a collegiate experience that gives each student specified skills and that an undergraduate education prepare students to have the flexibility to adapt to, among other things, new workforce needs. This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to develop a readiness year program in the public education system that provides basic skills training for individuals entering or reentering an academic institution or the workforce and prepares those individuals to meet California's career technical education and workforce development needs. (2) Existing law establishes the California Postsecondary Education Commission as the statewide postsecondary education planning and coordinating agency and provides for its functions and responsibilities, including advising the Legislature and the Governor on matters related to postsecondary education. This bill would require the commission, in consultation with the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, to submit a report to the Legislature providing recommendations for basic skills training and contextualized learning programs in the public education system.