CaliforniaCalifornia law eases paperwork and course limits for high school students taking community college classes
A new California law drops a principal recommendation, lets students file one college application, and removes a four-course limit for high school students in College and Career Access Pathways partnerships.
What it does
High school students in these partnerships would no longer need a principal's recommendation, and could file one college application for their whole time in the program.
Students could take up to 15 college units a term without a limit of four courses, if the courses are part of a program leading to both a diploma and a degree or certificate.
Partners must report each year how many high school students finished 12 or more college units or earned a certificate or associate degree.
Argument forFewer forms and no course cap could make it easier for more students, including those who might not be college bound, to earn college credit while in high school.
Argument againstWithout a principal's recommendation or a course limit, some students might take on more college work than they are ready for.
More detail
The partnership agreement's rules may require a student to submit only one parental consent form. They would no longer require a principal recommendation, and they must let a student file one college application for as long as they attend as a special part-time student. It covers high school students taking community college courses through a College and Career Access Pathways partnership.
A community college may let a special part-time student in a partnership enroll in up to 15 units a term, with no cap on the number of courses. The courses can be at the community college or the participating high school campus. The units must be part of an academic program in the partnership agreement. The program must be designed to award both a high school diploma and an associate degree, certificate, or credential.
Each year, college and school partners must report to the Chancellor how many high school students finished 12 or more units of college work by graduation, completed a certificate, or completed the courses for an associate degree or an associate degree for transfer. The Chancellor then combines the reports and sends them to the Legislature, the Director of Finance, the Superintendent, and the Education Commissioner. The Chancellor's combined report is due by May 1 each year.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 27Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 555, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 27Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 14Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 1:30 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 31Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 7004.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 1871 Fong Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB1871 Fong et al. By Pérez. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 31In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Aug 31Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Aug 30Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 28Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 17Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 13Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 13From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).Major
- Jun 29In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 17From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 17). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 3Referred to Com. on ED.Minor
- May 21In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Vote recorded AB 1871 Fong Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 21Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 74. Noes 0. Page 5200.)Passed Assembly
- May 18Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 14From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 22In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Mar 25From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 18From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on ED. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (March 17). Re-referred to Com. on ED.Minor
- Mar 18Coauthors revised.
- Mar 17
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Education] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 2Referred to Coms. on HIGHER ED. and ED.Minor
- Feb 13From printer. May be heard in committee March 15.
- Feb 12Read first time. To print.Introduced
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