[CA] Understanding the California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI)

The California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI) is a pivotal program aimed at improving the transition for California students from K-12 to higher education. CCGI streamlines college and financial aid applications, ensuring that students, particularly those from underserved backgrounds, have the tools and resources needed to succeed in their post-secondary endeavors.

Here’s a summary of the key takeaways from the CCGI Statewide Rollout:

What is CCGI?

The CCGI is California’s official college and career planning platform for students in grades 6–12, hosted on CaliforniaColleges.edu. Its mission is to simplify college and career planning by providing students with essential tools and educators with data to guide students effectively.

Main Features:

• Career Assessments: Helps students identify interests, personality traits, and learning styles.
• College, Major, and Career Search Tools: Allows students to explore various academic and career options.
• Digital Portfolio: Enables students to track academic progress, career interests, and financial aid plans.
• Application Tools: Students can launch applications for FAFSA, the California Dream Act, and various college systems (UC, CSU, CCC) directly from the platform.

Statewide Rollout:

In 2021, as part of the Governor’s Cradle-to-Career initiative, CCGI was statutorily authorized to provide accounts to all 6th–12th grade students in public schools. By 2024, Senate Bill 153 mandated that all public high schools (grades 9–12) partner with CCGI by 2026 to ensure students have access to transcript-informed accounts. These accounts will offer detailed academic tracking and application tools.

Key Dates for LEAs:

• By January 1, 2026: Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) must enter into a data-sharing agreement with CCGI.
• By June 30, 2026: LEAs must maintain at least a 90% alignment rate between their locally approved A-G coursework and what is recorded in the Course Management Portal (CMP) to ensure students meet UC/CSU eligibility.

The Importance of Data:

One critical element of CCGI is the ability for students and LEAs to access real-time, accurate data, especially regarding A-G coursework. This ensures students are taking the right courses to qualify for California’s public universities.

Partner LEAs vs. Non-Partner LEAs:

• Partner LEAs: Required to submit detailed student transcript data, offering students a comprehensive look at their academic standing and post-secondary eligibility.
• Non-Partner LEAs: Can still offer students access to basic accounts, though without the detailed, transcript-informed data.

Long-Term Impact:

This initiative is a game-changer for college access in California. By making college and career planning resources universally available to students and by ensuring data accuracy and transparency, CCGI will significantly improve college readiness and application outcomes, particularly for students from underserved communities.

Why CCGI Matters:

• Equal Access: All students, regardless of background, will have access to college and career planning tools.
• Data-Driven Guidance: Educators and counselors can make better decisions with real-time data on student progress.
• Streamlined College Applications: Students can easily access and launch applications for California's public universities.

The implementation of CCGI is set to transform how students in California prepare for and apply to college, ensuring a more equitable and efficient system across the state.

Click here to learn more about MeasureED's CCGI Data Support services!