Holden’s Legislation to Improve Public School Education Pass Key Education Committee

Assembly Majority Leader Chris Holden’s bills to expand and improve access to California schools were approved have been approved in the Assembly Education Committee. They now move to Assembly Appropriations for consideration.

Holden’s AB 288 expands access for high school students to take community college courses in what is called dual or concurrent enrollment. The bill would create a partnership between high schools and community colleges to allow students to take college-level courses at their high schools or on college campuses.

“More students than ever are entering college unprepared,” explained Assemblymember Holden. “According to the Community College Chancellor’s office, 74% of our high school students are not proficient in math and English. There is a growing recognition that these students will benefit from early exposure to college courses by decreasing drop-out rates and increasing student confidence.”

AB 148 places a K-14 school facilities bond on the 2016 ballot and was also approved late Wednesday in Assembly Education Committee.

The California Department of Education estimates that 71% of the classrooms in California’s public schools are more than 25 years old and about 30% are at least 50 years old.
“There is a growing body of research on the relationship between poor facilities and poor pupil performance: school facilities that are in good shape are more likely to result in higher student achievement,” concluded Holden.