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SB 1321

Public postsecondary education: remedial classes and supports: audit.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Roger Niello and 1 co-sponsor

Audits UC and CSU remedial instruction and supports (2019–25), analyzes admissions and prep efficacy, and releases findings to key committees by Sept 1, 2027.

Set for hearing April 22.
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Bill Summary · SB 1321

Summary of SB 1321 (2025-2026, California)

Purpose and intent

SB 1321 adds a formal audit requirement focused on the use of remedial instruction and supports in California’s public higher education system. Specifically, it requires the California State Auditor to audit the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems regarding remedial education and related student supports, and to report findings to key legislative committees by September 1, 2027. The bill also makes nonsubstantive changes to the existing annual higher education performance report that the California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) must submit.

Key provisions

  • 99183(a): Establishes a requirement for the California State Auditor to conduct an audit of both CSU and UC regarding remedial instruction and supports.

    • Scope and timelines:
    • Audit period: 2019–20 through 2024–25 (inclusive) for evaluating the number of students enrolled in remedial English/mathematics or who received supports in nonremedial courses.
    • Assess the efforts of each segment to address remedial needs.
    • For three high-demand CSU campuses and three high-demand UC campuses, evaluate:
      • Any increase in remedial course or support use since 2019–20 and contributing factors.
      • Potential improvements to admissions to better assess student preparedness.
      • How admissions processes ensure fair and unbiased practices.
      • The proficiency and training level of those evaluating applications.
    • Review other significant issues that could improve CSU/UC capacity to address remedial needs.
    • Reporting: Findings must be provided to the chairs of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, the Senate Committee on Education, and the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, per Government Code requirements (consistent with 9795).

  • 99182 (amended): Keeps the existing requirement for the California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) to submit an annual higher education performance report by November 15 each year, but makes nonsubstantive changes to the reporting provision and format. The report should cover indicators of performance for public colleges and universities and be distributed to public colleges/universities for comment prior to publication.

    • The bill reiterates the list of data categories to consider for both the public universities and the public community colleges (retention, faculty in various roles, advisement hours, transfer data, diversity and representation, graduate outcomes, student satisfaction, etc.).

Who is affected

  • Primary focus: The California State University and University of California systems.
  • Secondary effects: Public community colleges and the broader higher education reporting framework overseen by CPEC, which the bill adjusts non-substantively.

Timelines and procedural notes

  • Audit deadline: On or before September 1, 2027, the State Auditor must complete and report the audit findings.
  • Interim reporting: The bill does not create interim audit reports; it defines the scope, campuses to be reviewed, and reporting requirements.
  • Legislative process: The bill includes standard passage steps (introduced February 20, 2026; referred to committees; amended; set for hearing; etc.).

Potential impact

  • Increased transparency on remedial education usage and effectiveness within CSU and UC.
  • Data-driven assessment of admissions practices and preparatory supports, with potential implications for admissions policies, remediation strategies, and student success initiatives.
  • Possible influence on state policy discussions about funding, program design, and accountability for remedial education in public universities.
  • Non-substantive adjustments to ongoing annual performance reporting by CPEC, maintaining a structured data framework for public higher education indicators.

This summary focuses on the bill’s substantive elements: an auditor-led evaluation of remedial instruction and supports across CSU/UC, campus-specific analyses, and enhanced retention and performance reporting mechanisms.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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