Public postsecondary education: civic engagement: recommendations report.

Plain English Breakdown

The exact cost and reimbursement details are not specified.

Civic Engagement in Higher Education

This law requires California's public universities and community colleges to review their American Institutions and Ideals courses, focusing on civic engagement and democracy, and report recommendations for improving these topics before the start of the 2028-29 academic year.

What This Bill Does

• Requires each campus in the University of California system to update its American Institutions and Ideals courses by emphasizing civic engagement, civic discord, and the key components of preserving democracy and its vital institutions.
• Requests each campus in the California State University system to do the same before the start of the 2029-30 academic year.
• Asks community colleges across California to review their relevant courses similarly, focusing on civic engagement and democratic principles.
• Requires all institutions to report recommendations for enhancing knowledge about American democracy and providing more opportunities for student involvement in civic activities by a specific date.

Who It Names or Affects

• Students at public universities and community colleges in California
• University administrators and faculty members

Terms To Know

American Institutions and Ideals courses

Courses that teach about the history, government, and values of the United States.

Civic engagement

Participation in activities to improve communities or influence public policies.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill will be reviewed by a committee on education.
• It is not clear how much it will cost and if there will be state reimbursement for local programs.
• Some parts of the law will end in January 2033.

Official Summary Text

AB 1552, as amended, Jackson.
Public postsecondary education:
American Institutions and Ideals courses: civic engagement, civic discord, democracy, and democratic institutions:
civic engagement:
recommendations report.
Existing law establishes the University of California, under the administration of the Regents of the University of California, the California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, and the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as the public segments of postsecondary education in the state.
Existing law states the intent of the Legislature that public institutions of higher education in California shall provide a collegiate experience which gives each student the skills of communication and problem solving, the ideas and principles underlying the major areas of modern knowledge, the ability to consider ethical issues thoughtfully, the understanding that learning is a continuous lifelong process, and the
knowledge of democracy necessary for good citizenship.
This bill would require
each campus of
the Chancellor of
the California State University and
each community college of a community college district,
the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges,
and would request
each campus of
the President of
the University of California,
in consultation with each of their respective academic senates, to (1) before the commencement of the 2029–30 academic year, review and
update, if necessary, its relevant American Institutions and Ideals courses to ensure that those courses include an emphasis on civic engagement, civic discord, and the key components of preserving democracy and its vital institutions, and (2)
before the commencement of the 2028–29 academic year,
to
report to the Legislature recommendations on how to facilitate greater knowledge of American democracy and meaningful civic engagement opportunities for students on campuses, and any necessary support from the Legislature to achieve those recommendations.
By imposing additional duties on community colleges, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill would repeal these provisions as of January 1, 2033.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF