Can state's blueprint last another half-century?
Posted at 12:00 AM on Tuesday, Apr. 27, 2010
RecommendThen: Fifty years ago today, Gov. Edmund G. "Pat" Brown signed the law that became the central tenet of California's Master Plan for Higher Education. The plan created the state's three-tier system -- the University of California, California State University and the community colleges -- and determined what portion of high school graduates would get into each segment. It said California should offer high-quality public colleges and universities that are accessible and affordable to the masses.
Now: As the cost of college has skyrocketed and the budget crunch has prompted campuses to shut students out, educators and policymakers agree the state has veered from the vision laid out in the Master Plan. Today, representatives from UC, CSU and the community colleges will mark the Master Plan's anniversary by spending the day in the Capitol lobbying for more money.
Looking ahead: The Legislature is considering changes to the Master Plan to guide public higher education in the decades to come. A joint legislative committee reviewing the Master Plan holds its next hearing next Tuesday. Possible changes include smoothing the process for students transferring from community college to a four-year university, tying higher education funding to program goals, and trying to boost the number of students who complete their studies and graduate.
"We need to make major changes in how we look at higher education," said Assemblyman Ira
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