Lawmakers emphasize learning, for once

Education has taken quite a beating of late in California, but this week saw some progress, at least for those working toward a college degree. The Legislature passed a two-bill transfer-reform package that will make it easier for students to transfer to a four-year state university from a community college.

SB 1440 calls for community colleges to award an associate degree to students earning 60 transferable units with a GPA of 2.0 or higher and would guarantee transfer to a California State University campus. AB 2302 requests that the University of California system offer a similar pathway for transfer that SB 1440 provides for the CSU.

“By increasing access to four-year universities we are investing in and strengthening the workforce of the future,” Assemblyman Paul Fong (D-Cupertino), author of AB 2302, said in a statement. The Assembly and Senate passed the bills; they are awaiting Gov. Schwarzenegger’s signature.