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SB-1143 Community colleges: student success and completion: taskforce and plan.(2009-2010)

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Senate Bill No. 1143
CHAPTER 409

An act relating to community colleges.

[ Approved by Governor  September 28, 2010. Filed with Secretary of State  September 28, 2010. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 1143, Liu. Community colleges: student success and completion: taskforce and plan.
Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as one of the 3 segments of public postsecondary education in this state.
This bill would require the board to adopt a plan for promoting and improving student success within the California Community Colleges and to establish a taskforce to examine specified best practices and models for accomplishing student success. The bill would require the taskforce to develop and present specified recommendations to the board for incorporation into the plan to improve student success and completion within the California Community Colleges. The bill would require the board, prior to implementation of the plan, to report the contents of the plan, and the recommendations of the taskforce, to specified legislative committees by March 1, 2012.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) The low rate of degree completion among community college students is threatening California’s economic future.
(b) In order to reach the education levels of the most competitive economies, the number of students earning college degrees in California each year must increase by more than 50 percent.
(c) Over 70 percent of public undergraduate enrollment in California is in the community colleges.
(d) Only 24 percent of degree-seeking students complete a certificate or associate degree or transfer to a four-year college or university within six years.
(e) Under current law, community colleges receive most of their annual funds based on student enrollment in the third week of each semester.
(f) This method of allocating funds creates an incentive for community colleges to enroll students, but no fiscal incentive for those colleges to help students complete their courses and earn degrees. Currently, only about 60 percent of community college courses are successfully completed.
(g) Many of today’s community college students require extensive academic and student support services to remain enrolled and succeed. Community colleges lack the resources and the incentives to invest in this level of student support.

SEC. 2.

 The Legislature further finds and declares that all of the following shall occur:
(a) The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges shall adopt a plan for promoting and improving student success within the California Community Colleges and shall establish a taskforce to examine best practices within the community colleges and effective models throughout the nation for accomplishing student success. The members of the taskforce shall include a broad representation of stakeholders, including, but not limited to, faculty.
(b) The taskforce shall develop and present recommendations to the board for incorporation into the plan to improve student success and completion within the California Community Colleges. These recommendations shall focus on, but not be limited to, all of the following considerations:
(1) Multiple measures and effective programs for assessing student success and completion, including, but not limited to, attaining college-level skills, accumulating college-level course credits, earning a degree or certificate, or transferring to a four-year college or university.
(2) Statutory and regulatory barriers to student success and completion.
(3) Best practices for promoting student success and completion, including, but not limited to, the acquisition of basic skills.
(4) Alternative funding options for providing necessary services to students and promoting best practices for student success and completion.
(5) Alternative funding options instituted in other states for improving student success and completion.
(6) The effective use of technology by community colleges and districts to promote, evaluate, and improve student success and completion.
(c) Prior to presenting recommendations pursuant to subdivision (b), the taskforce and the board shall facilitate discussions with key community college stakeholders and other appropriate parties to provide input on the findings and recommendations of the taskforce.
(d) Prior to implementing the plan adopted pursuant to subdivision (a), the board shall report the contents of the plan, and the recommendations of the taskforce, to the Senate Committee on Education and the Assembly Committee on Higher Education at a joint hearing that shall be convened on or before March 1, 2012.