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Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009

Galgiani appointed to committee on state's higher education plan

Assemblywoman wants to concentrate on career training at the high school level.

Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani (D-Livingston) will join 19 other California legislators as they rewrite plans to educate a new generation of California students.

Galgiani was appointed Monday to a joint legislative committee that will reevaluate the state's master plan for higher education.

The California Master Plan for Higher Education sets forth which high school students should be admitted to the University of California or Cal State University systems. It allows community college students guaranteed courses that will transfer to four-year schools.

The plan has guided each of California's three higher education systems since 1960.

The last review of the plan was in 1999.

"With the fee increases and harm caused to students and campuses by the recession, we must find ways to protect California's colleges and universities, including our community colleges," Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) said in a press release. "On the 50th anniversary of the state's Master Plan for Higher Education, it is imperative that we renew our commitment to higher education, evaluate the plan that helped create the greatest public higher education system in the world and ensure our colleges and universities meet the demands of the 21st century."

Galgiani said she would use her appointment to recommend increased concentration on career training for high school students.

"I think it's important that we weave these ideas in. We need to be looking ahead," Galgiani said. "We know we'll be building a high-speed train. We know that California continues to be a world leader in biotech. So we need to be on the cutting edge of how we educate students so they can be competitive in today's global economy."

Galgiani commended a forensic biotechnology program at a Modesto high school that she'd like to see replicated and said a company in Madrid had already indicated they would pair with universities here to provide high-speed rail education.

The committee will hold a hearing on Dec. 7 in the state capital to hear the public's proposals for change. Galgiani said local residents can also send their recommendations to her Merced office at 806 W. 18th St., Merced, CA, 95340, or call them in to (209) 726-5465.

Reporter Danielle Gaines can be reached at (209) 385-2407 or dgaines@mercedsun-star.com.