California parents advocate for financial aid application support and a longitudinal data system
SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, parents from GO Public Schools in Fresno and West Contra Costa traveled to Sacramento in support of Assembly Bill 1617, a piece of legislation authored by Assemblywoman Eloise G. Reyes (D-San Bernardino) and sponsored by The Education Trust-West.
If passed, AB 1617 would make completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) a high school graduation requirement for California's public school students. This bill ensures all students submit a financial aid form so that they can access critical financial resources needed to attend college. Research has shown that FAFSA completion is linked to college enrollment: 90 percent of high school seniors who complete FAFSA matriculate to college, compared to the 55 percent who do not complete FAFSA.
AB 1617 includes opt-out provisions for students who face a hardship, do not wish to pursue a post-secondary education, and/or instead go onto the military or enter the workforce.
In addition to showing their support for AB 1617, the parents also spoke with legislators asking them to maintain Governor Gavin Newsom's planned $10 million investment in a Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) in next year's budget. They explained that the state of California needs the SLDS to better understand - and improve - student performance from kindergarten to college. Parents also expressed hope that a centralized system would ensure that all students are seen, and receive the unique supports they need to be successful in life.
Parents reminded policymakers that all data systems must be publicly available, user-friendly, and accessible in multiple languages.
About GO Public Schools
GO Public Schools (501c3) supports a network of families, educators, and community allies working together to expand opportunity and access to quality education for California's most historically underserved students and families. Currently, GO's work impacts 150,000 students in three California communities -- Fresno, Oakland, and West Contra Costa. With local community networks, GO envisions and advocates for a new paradigm of learner-centered, equity-focused schools that address the evolving needs of young people and our world.
SOURCE GO Public Schools
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