March 3, 2003
Dear Superintendents of Unified and High School Districts and Principals of Public High Schools:
STUDENT NOTIFICATION REGARDING APPROVED COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSES
All California students deserve the opportunity to be fully informed about and to participate in the course work required for California public university admission. This advisory to school districts that maintain a high school underscores your responsibilities as established in Education Code Section 66204 as amended by Senate Bill 1339 (Vasconcellos). School districts must provide every high school pupil with the current list of courses certified by the University of California (UC) as meeting course requirements, "a-g courses," for freshman admission at The California State University (CSU) and UC.
The UC has been requested to assist schools in this effort. The UC maintains a searchable Web site that lists certified "a-g" courses for all regular California public high schools, http://www.ucop.edu/doorways/list/ (Outside Source) The accuracy of your approved course list is very important. I urge all high school principals and counselors to be thoroughly familiar with this Web site and the process for maintaining and updating your currently approved course list as described at http://www.ucop.edu/doorways/guide/ (Outside Source). Only courses approved by UC will fulfill the course requirements for admission to UC and CSU. The principal should ensure that all of the school's staff is aware of which courses at the school are listed as approved by UC and how to obtain UC approval for new college preparatory courses to be offered by the school.
Senate Bill 1339 reinforces and extends existing Education Code Section 51228(a). Each high school shall provide a full precollegiate program that includes adequate sections to accommodate all students and actively counsel students to enter these courses. The schools shall have no policy or practice directing any pupil, especially for cultural or linguistic reasons, away from choosing a college preparatory program.
School districts are strongly encouraged to use multiple methods to inform students and their parents about university admission requirements and the courses available locally to meet these requirements.
- At student and parent orientations to high school, distribute university admission requirements and the high school's current listing of UC approved "a-g" courses.
- Post the school's currently approved "a-g" course list prominently by the school registrar's office and/or counseling office.
- When students receive their course assignments for the coming year, include the current listing of the school's approved college preparatory or "a-g" courses.
- In the high school's course catalog, include a prominent indication of the status of each course as an approved "a-g" course and, of those approved courses, which ones earn honors credit.
- At least once each year, send to the parents of all students, information on university admission requirements, what courses are available at the high school in order for students to become eligible for UC or CSU, and the role of the UC-approved "a-g" course list.
Another valuable tool for students planning their post-high school options is http://www.CaliforniaColleges.edu (Outside Source). This site provides additional information about the specific admission requirements in effect at CSU and UC.
Building California's future is all of our responsibilities. No greater contribution can be made than maximizing our children's options for becoming productive, well-educated adults. If you have questions regarding the information in this advisory, please contact Penni Hansen, Manager of Intersegmental Relations at the California Department of Education, at 916-323-6134, or email phansen@cde.ca.gov.
Sincerely,
JACK O'CONNELL
JO:jsl
1430 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814