Recent Changes
The 1987 revision specifically recognized the contributions of the independent sector and made explicit provision to include the independent sector in the planning functions of the state's higher education system. It also established a policy to set the maximum award for Cal Grants in state law.
In 2005, the demand for high school and community college administrators brought about a widely debated exception to the existing differentiation of function between the CSU and UC systems. The awarding of doctoral degrees had originally been exclusive to the UC system, with the provision that the California State Universities could offer PhD degrees as "joint" degrees in combination with the University of California or an accredited private university. Under the provisions of SB 724, signed into law September 22, 2005, the campuses of the California State University were then able to directly offer a Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D) "focused on preparing administrative leaders". It was argued that this fulfilled the original purpose of many of the CSUs, which were set up as normal schools to train teachers.
When the Master Plan was first founded in 1960, post-secondary education enrollments were equally divided amongst 2-year and 4-year institutions. However, in 2010, due to a lack of money and funding, the framers of the Master Plan limited eligibility admission to UC and CSU. The bold and cost-cutting move diverted a large amount of students to 2-year institutions, which would still allow them to finish their lower division work and then transfer to a 4-year institution. However, the California Higher Education system has had poor records of college completion and 4-year Baccalaureate degree attainment. Subgroups such as Latinos and African Americans, who are a large and growing demographic, show even worsening statistics of degree attainment. Instead of building a new Baccalaureate system, or reforming the pre-existing Master Plan, Educational institutions in California need to work together as a system to improve baccalaureate education. Community colleges now in 2012 have the Baccalaureate enrollment capacity, while public universities have the academic curriculum, degree programs and accreditation to help students achieve a Baccalaureate degree. Both types of educational institutions can build upon each other's assets and strengths and put together an effective system without the need of reformation.
Read more about this topic: California Master Plan For Higher Education