Student Equity and Achievement Program: Rising Scholars Network: justice-involved students.

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. Existing law establishes community college districts throughout the state and authorizes them to operate campuses and provide instruction. Existing law establishes the Student Equity and Achievement Program and requires a community college district, as a condition of the receipt of funds under the program, to comply with specified requirements, including the maintenance of a student equity plan to ensure equal educational opportunities and promote student success for all students, regardless of race, gender, age, disability, or economic circumstances. This bill would authorize the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to establish a program, named the Rising Scholars Network, as part of the Student Equity and Achievement Program, to enter into agreements with up to 50 community colleges to provide additional funds for services in support of postsecondary education for justice-involved students, as defined. The bill would specify that funding included in the Budget Act for the Student Equity and Achievement Program may be used for programs that are part of the Rising Scholars Network. The bill would require a community college district that wishes to participate in the Rising Scholars Network to apply for funding by including justice-involved students as part of a student equity plan under the Student Equity and Achievement Program, as provided, and would require the board of governors to adopt regulations for the Rising Scholars Network that fulfill certain goals and guidance. The bill would require the board of governors, on or before December 31, 2023, to submit a report to the Governor describing its efforts to serve justice-involved students, and including recommendations on whether and how the Rising Scholars Network can be expanded to all community college districts and campuses.