RE: Question 2: Single curriculum-What's in the Plan

What a stimulating exchange!  My thanks to all who envisioned and implemented this unique consultation.  I am the dean of enrollment management for the California Community Colleges (systemwide).  I am a product of California's public educational system at all educational levels (K-18) and in all segments, and have a 17-year old facing her senior year.  

I believe the recommendation to require a more rigorous high school curriculum for all students is excellent but needs to be developed in a broader context that UC/CSU A-G requirements. It isn't about college preparation, it's about life preparation.  I believe we tend to think in terms of discrete paths (work vs. college, for example) but actually I believe all students leave high school (regardless of their success) to embark upon lifelong work and lifelong learning, frequently switching their emphasis between the two.  For the many community college students there is no clear "work" vs. "college" choice, but rather a series of incremental decisions to take a course or two, work a job or two, learn a thing or two, and see how the future unfolds.  

I think the recommendation for a "single" curriculum should provide students with a rigorous and broad framework for participating in this society and should be based upon specific citizenship and social goals grounded in the need for a strong society.  It's not about college, it's about life.

When faced with the expectation of a rigorous high school curriculum, obviously some students will not do it, others cannot do it.  For those who cannot, there should be proud and appropriate options and for those who will not, there should be "opt out" but just as much emphasis on "opt back in".  Every student in this state needs to know that when he or she is ready to be a fully functioning member of society that we (the educational system) will be there as their partner to make it possible.