William G. Tierney in EdSource: California’s next governor has opportunity to set a bold new higher education agenda

The next governor of California has will have two primary responsibilities: uphold economic productivity and lay the foundation for a more prosperous California. And he could accomplish both in one fell swoop — by setting ambitious higher education goals.

The connection between economic prosperity and higher education is clear and simple. Nearly two-thirds of new jobs created in California over the next decade will require a post-high school education. Yet, the 23-campus California State University system turned away 31,000 qualified applicants in 2017 alone. And gaining admission to University of California campuses is becoming more and more competitive.

In addition, too many of our students are not educationally ready when they arrive to college, and they are not prepared for the workplace after college. They take too long to graduate, and take on too much debt. Too few who attend community college transfer to a four-year institution.

All of these problems are well-known, but past measures have been modest.

To truly make California a prosperous state, the new governor must set transformative goals. He must spearhead a plan that ensures college hopefuls are college-ready upon graduation from high school. He must allow community college students to transfer seamlessly to four-year institutions. And he must enable bachelor’s degree candidates to graduate within six years, ready for the job market and unburdened by crippling debt.

Here’s how we California can achieve these goals: