SECTIONS 54700-54704 - California Statutes

EDUCATION CODE

SECTION 54700-54704

54700. It is the intent and purpose of the Legislature that the
University and College Opportunities Program provided for in this
article shall be directed to improve the preparation of elementary
and secondary school pupils for their successful matriculation
through courses of study at two-year and four-year institutions of
postsecondary education.
It is the intent and purpose of the Legislature that school
districts be authorized to establish college preparatory programs
targeted towards pupils from groups which are underrepresented in
institutions of postsecondary education. It is further the intent of
the Legislature that funding for these programs shall be derived from
existing funds apportioned to participating school districts so as
to result in no additional costs to the state. It is further the
intent of the Legislature that participating school districts shall
be encouraged to coordinate and utilize new and existing resources
and service networks available to them and that they solicit the
participation of the California Community Colleges, the California
State University and Colleges, the University of California, and
other public and private sector entities.

54701. Any school district may apply to establish a University and
College Opportunities Program with existing local or categorical
funds. Any funds which may be donated by businesses or foundations
may be used by participating districts to establish science and math
regional centers which provide high quality science and mathematics
instruction not normally available in regular school, to establish
summer programs to provide academic enrichment in math, science, and
English, and career awareness programs in professions requiring math
and science backgrounds. Participation on the part of any school
district shall be voluntary. Districts currently participating in
existing categorical aid programs may utilize existing plans
developed for these programs to describe their University and College
Opportunities Program. The existing district plans and school plans
submitted in the applications adopted by the State Board of Education
pursuant to the rules and regulations adopted under Section 54704
shall contain a description of the University and College
Opportunities Program, including the following:
(a) A description of the proposed program administration, staff
training, and pupil identification and assessment components.
(b) A description of the comprehensive program, which shall be of
sufficient size and scope to meet the intent of this article and
which shall include, but not be limited to, the following criteria:
(1) Assurances that the instructional program will maintain a
sound curriculum for pupils, particularly for pupils from those
underrepresented groups identified pursuant to the passage of
Resolution Chapter 212 of the Statutes of 1974, to meet the minimum
university requirements to excel in math, science, and other
technology-based careers.
(2) Academic advising to assist pupils who desire to enter into
careers in the fields of math and science to select classes that best
prepare them for study at the university and college levels in these
fields.
(3) College counseling to assist pupils in preparing the necessary
application forms for college admission, to procure scholarships and
other financial aid, and to meet all deadlines for these programs.
(4) Career counseling to inform pupils of the opportunities and
options available to them within the mathematics-based professions,
such as the fields of engineering, business administration, and
computer sciences.
(5) The establishment of tutorial programs and study groups to
enable pupils to develop the study skills necessary to compete
successfully at the postsecondary level.
(6) The establishment and operation of summer programs to provide
academic enrichment in mathematics, science, and English as well as
providing an orientation to those professions requiring a background
in mathematics.
(7) The development of strategies for parental involvement.
(8) The development of appropriate pupil and staff incentive
awards.
(9) The development of a system for collecting follow-up data on
pupils who participate in the program.
(10) Assurances that the educational needs of pupils intended to
be served by categorical funds used by this program will continue to
be addressed.
(c) A description of the district's plans for the participation of
appropriate advisory groups, representatives from postsecondary
institutions, representatives from private organizations and,
whenever feasible, Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement
(MESA) coordinators.

54702. School districts participating in the University and College
Opportunities Program may enter into contractual agreements with
neighboring community colleges, public and private universities and
colleges, and other private and public sector entities for the
utilization of facilities and services necessary to operate a
University and College Opportunities Program. Participating districts
may also enter into agreements with other districts to establish
cooperative programs or to operate regional centers for instruction
in the math- and science-related fields.

54703. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall prepare rules
and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this
article, including rules and regulations which:
(a) Prescribe the procedure by which a district shall identify
pupils who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
(b) Provide for the rendering of technical assistance which, upon
request, shall be available to enable school districts and schools to
design, implement, or evaluate the University and College
Opportunities Programs authorized by this article.
(c) Identify effective practices regarding, but not necessarily
limited to, University and College Opportunities Programs and which
disseminate information regarding these programs to each
participating school district and county superintendent of schools.
(d) Develop, in conjunction with the California Postsecondary
Education Commission, common data elements, which can be used by
secondary and postsecondary educators to assess and improve program
performance.

54704. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules and
regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this article on
or before March 1, 1983.