Public postsecondary education: admission, transfer, and enrollment.

Senator Cabaldon's higher education reform package creates a direct admission program for California State University (CSU) campuses while extending and modifying existing transfer pathways. Under the new CSU Direct Admission Program, eligible high school seniors at participating schools automatically receive admission offers to designated CSU campuses based on their academic records through grade 11, including A-G course completion and qualifying grade point averages.

The legislation extends the CSU's dual admission program through the 2035-36 academic year, allowing first-time freshmen applicants who do not initially meet CSU eligibility requirements to secure guaranteed future admission by completing transfer requirements at a community college. Students now have three years, rather than two, to complete an associate degree for transfer or equivalent coursework. Community colleges must promote the program through new student orientations, annual emails, websites, and counseling offices.

To expand transfer opportunities in high-demand fields, the bill establishes an intersegmental curriculum workgroup of community college and CSU faculty to develop at least five new transfer model curricula unrelated to existing associate degrees for transfer. These curricula will create guaranteed admission pathways to similar CSU bachelor's degree programs, requiring no more than 60 additional units after transfer for students who remain on track. The California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office will make the approved curricula available to all community college districts.