Any school district may apply to establish a University and College Opportunities Program with existing local or categorical funds. Any funds which may be donated by businesses or foundations may be used by participating districts to establish science and math regional centers which provide high quality science and mathematics instruction not normally available in regular school, to establish summer programs to provide academic enrichment in math, science, and English, and career awareness programs in professions requiring math and science backgrounds. Participation on the part of any school district shall be voluntary. Districts currently participating in existing categorical aid programs may utilize existing plans developed for these programs to describe their University and College Opportunities Program. The existing district plans and school plans submitted in the applications adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to the rules and regulations adopted under Section 54704 shall contain a description of the University and College Opportunities Program, including the following:

(a) A description of the proposed program administration, staff training, and pupil identification and assessment components.

(b) A description of the comprehensive program, which shall be of sufficient size and scope to meet the intent of this article and which shall include, but not be limited to, the following criteria:

(1) Assurances that the instructional program will maintain a sound curriculum for pupils, particularly for pupils from those underrepresented groups identified pursuant to the passage of Resolution Chapter 212 of the Statutes of 1974, to meet the minimum university requirements to excel in math, science, and other technology-based careers.

(2) Academic advising to assist pupils who desire to enter into careers in the fields of math and science to select classes that best prepare them for study at the university and college levels in these fields.

(3) College counseling to assist pupils in preparing the necessary application forms for college admission, to procure scholarships and other financial aid, and to meet all deadlines for these programs.

(4) Career counseling to inform pupils of the opportunities and options available to them within the mathematics-based professions, such as the fields of engineering, business administration, and computer sciences.

(5) The establishment of tutorial programs and study groups to enable pupils to develop the study skills necessary to compete successfully at the postsecondary level.

(6) The establishment and operation of summer programs to provide academic enrichment in mathematics, science, and English as well as providing an orientation to those professions requiring a background in mathematics.

(7) The development of strategies for parental involvement.

(8) The development of appropriate pupil and staff incentive awards.

(9) The development of a system for collecting follow-up data on pupils who participate in the program.

(10) Assurances that the educational needs of pupils intended to be served by categorical funds used by this program will continue to be addressed.

(c) A description of the district’s plans for the participation of appropriate advisory groups, representatives from postsecondary institutions, representatives from private organizations and, whenever feasible, Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) coordinators.

(Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1298, Sec. 16.)