California Community College Guided Pathways Grant Program.

Existing law establishes the California Community College Guided Pathways Grant Program under the administration of the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges and requires the chancellor's office to distribute grants, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to community colleges that satisfy certain requirements, including, among other requirements, integration of existing student-success programs and development of clearly structured, coherent guided pathways programs, as defined. This bill, on or before August 1, 2024, and on or before August 1 of every even-numbered year thereafter, would require each community college to develop an educational plan, as provided, to provide a detailed sequence of courses for each degree, certificate, diploma, or license, or any other form of transfer to a postsecondary educational institution, offered by the community college and ensure that the community college offers the courses required for a degree, certificate, diploma, or license, or any other pathway of transfer to a postsecondary educational institution, in a consistent manner to ensure students can plan their academic futures. The bill, on or before June 1, 2025, and on or before June 1 of every even-numbered year thereafter, would require the chancellor's office to submit a report to the Director of Finance and the Legislature, based on the educational plans received from community colleges, as specified, that includes a summary of the educational plans and related information, as provided. By imposing new duties on community college districts, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.