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Bill would require UC to consult K–12 stakeholders before changing undergraduate admissions criteria
Summary
AB 500 asks the University of California to consult with K–12 educators, students and CSU representatives before altering its A–G admissions requirements or other undergraduate criteria, with the goal of preventing surprise policy changes that affect student advising and course planning.
Assemblymember Quirk Silva said AB 500 grew from a joint Assembly hearing on UC admissions policy and would not impose policy decisions on the University of California. Instead, the bill would require the UC Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools to coordinate with k–12 educators, students and California State University representatives before making substantive changes to undergraduate admissions criteria.
Quirk Silva told the committee the proposal respects the UC’s constitutional authority to set admissions policy but seeks to ensure timelier communication to students, families and secondary‑school counselors. Supporters said late changes in UC practice can leave high‑school students without adequate coursework or counseling to meet new requirements. Angela Negley, a recent UC Irvine graduate who now works with the McKinney‑Vento program in San Jose, testified AB 500 would prevent students from being “caught off guard” and said counselors in under‑resourced schools do not always have capacity to monitor rapid UC changes.
The bill drew no recorded opposition in committee. Committee members asked for clarity on process and timelines; the author said the measure is narrowly focused on consultation and transparency rather than prescribing UC admissions content.
The committee voted to refer AB 500 to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
