Senate Bill 325 (Scott), a proposal which the California State University (CSU) supports, would establish a statewide higher education accountability framework for achieving specific educational and economic goals is continuing to move through the legislative process and will be heard next in the Assembly Appropriations Committee this week. The statewide framework would measure the collective performance of the State’s system of higher education in successfully serving students within the context of six statewide policy objectives:

• Are enough Californians prepared for postsecondary education? • Are enough Californians going to college?
• Is the state's postsecondary education system affordable to all Californians?
• Are enough Californians successfully completing certificates and degrees?
• Are college graduates prepared for life and work in California?
• Are California's people, communities, and economy benefiting?

The CSU believes these objectives are critical for all of our colleges and universities, policymakers, and the State’s accountability to the promise of the Master Plan to all Californians. SB 325, recognizes the value of system accountability reporting to its Board of Trustees and to the State.

What is new and important in SB 325 is the collection of assessments from all higher education segments and other state agencies to judge whether, as a collective, the State is making progress toward six broad public policy goals – preparedness, access and participation, affordability, student accomplishment and success, and public benefits. The framework calls for a statewide reporting system that identifies a select number of indicators to measure our progress together. The CSU believes that the six policy areas are right on target and will help propel all of us to provide access and success to students.