Public postsecondary education: American Institutions and Ideals courses: civic engagement, civic discord, democracy, and democratic institutions: recommendations report.

Existing law establishes the University of California, under the administration of the Regents of the University of California, the California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, and the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as the public segments of postsecondary education in the state. Existing law states the intent of the Legislature that public institutions of higher education in California shall provide a collegiate experience which gives each student the skills of communication and problem solving, the ideas and principles underlying the major areas of modern knowledge, the ability to consider ethical issues thoughtfully, the understanding that learning is a continuous lifelong process, and the knowledge of democracy necessary for good citizenship. This bill would require each campus of the California State University and each community college of a community college district, and would request each campus of the University of California, in consultation with each of their respective academic senates, to (1) before the commencement of the 2029–30 academic year, review and update, if necessary, its relevant American Institutions and Ideals courses to ensure that those courses include an emphasis on civic engagement, civic discord, and the key components of preserving democracy and its vital institutions, and (2) before the commencement of the 2028–29 academic year, report to the Legislature recommendations on how to facilitate greater knowledge of American democracy and meaningful civic engagement opportunities for students on campuses, and any necessary support from the Legislature to achieve those recommendations. By imposing additional duties on community colleges, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would repeal these provisions as of January 1, 2033. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.