Higher education supporters kicked off the campaign outside the state capitol, where they also handed out several scholarships to college-bound kids.
The crowd chanted, "save me a spot in college”
Michele Siqueiros is Executive Director of the Campaign. She says this is a long-term effort aimed at the next governor, and the next few budgets.
“We’re asking both Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman as candidates for Governor to ensure that they have a plan for producing one million more college graduates in order to keep our economy strong.”
State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack O’Connell says state funding for higher-ed has dropped off, so financial support needs to come from elsewhere.
“We need to have the business community step up to the plate to help, the foundation community, the non-profit community, and help our students prepare for a successful future.”
O’Connell says more college grads are necessary for economic recovery. The campaign urges legislators and Californians to sign onto the one million more pledge, asking for more funding for higher education.