Public postsecondary education: admission, transfer, and enrollment.

Senator Cabaldon's higher education reform package establishes new admission pathways within the California State University (CSU) system while extending and modifying existing transfer programs. The legislation creates a CSU Direct Admission Program allowing eligible high school students from participating districts to receive automatic admission to designated CSU campuses based on their academic performance through grade 11.

The bill extends the CSU's dual admission program through the 2035-36 academic year, allowing students who do not initially meet freshman admission requirements to secure guaranteed future enrollment 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 this option through orientation sessions, email communications, and campus information centers.

To expand transfer pathways in high-demand fields, the legislation directs the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office to convene faculty from both systems to develop five new transfer model curricula unrelated to existing associate degrees for transfer. Community colleges must then create corresponding transfer degrees that guarantee admission to similar CSU programs while limiting post-transfer coursework to 60 units. The measures include provisions for state reimbursement of local implementation costs if determined necessary by the Commission on State Mandates.