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The recommendations, Scott said, will go a long way in improving student graduation, certificate and transfer rates at the system’s 112 colleges.
The plan, which was approved without a dissenting vote, will be sent to the state Legislature for review in accordance with Senate Bill 1143 (Liu).
The task force’s recommendations will make community colleges more responsive to the needs of students and the economy, which is increasingly demanding college-educated workers.
It is aimed at rebalancing priorities to focus on the core missions of remedial education, workforce preparation, certificate and degree attainment and transfer.
Students who make progress toward meeting their goals will be rewarded with priority enrollment, and colleges will adjust course offerings according to the needs of students based on their education plans.
The recommendations also will improve the student assessment process and promote better use of technology to help students reach their educational goals on time.
“I want to commend the task force for its hard work and dedication to increasing student success,” Chancellor Scott said after the report was adopted by the board Monday afternoon. “This plan is historic and wide-ranging. Because of the state’s disinvestment in higher education, access is being rationed at the community colleges in ways that are unfair and harm entering students.”
Scott added, “The recommendations in the report are integral to balancing priorities so first-time students have a fair opportunity to pursue their educational goals. At a time when resources are scarce, our system must implement solutions that improve student outcomes, deliver an educated and trained workforce, and ensure the efficient use of state investment in higher education – I am confident that this plan will do just that.”
California Community Colleges Board of Governors President Scott Himelstein said that the board will move forward on the adoption of regulatory changes needed to implement the task
force’s vision.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity to improve the educational outcomes of the largest system of higher education in the country,” Himelstein said. “With these changes, our 2.6 million
students will have a better shot at success.”
President Obama announced the goal to make America “the most educated country in the world” by 2020. From 2012 through 2018, occupations requiring an associate degree will grow the fastest but by 2025, California’s workforce will face a shortage of 1 million college degree and certificate holders.
In 2010, then Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger approved Senate Bill 1143, authored by Carol Liu. The bill charged the California Community Colleges Board of Governors with adopting a plan by 2012 for improving student success and awarding more associate degrees and transferring more students to California State University or University of California campuses. Board of governors member Peter MacDougall served as the task force chair and Chancellor Scott was an ex officio member.
The task force released a set of draft recommendations in September and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and task force members subsequently embarked on a state-wide listening tour to gather input from constituencies. Those interested also could find the recommendations online and leave comments that were considered by the task force in November.
After the listening tour was complete, revisions were made on several key points. Some of those revisions included not charging students full price for classes outside their educational plans and allowing colleges some leeway to exempt students under extraordinary circumstances from the 110-unit cap on Board of Governors Fee Waiver eligibility.
“This task force really worked very hard to outline a plan that will help students reach their educational goals faster and more efficiently,” MacDougall said. “We listened to input and great ideas offered by students, faculty, staff and parents from around the state and incorporated what we heard into the final draft. This was a collaborative effort and I am proud to have been a part of this historic task force.”
The board of governors now has until March 1, 2012 to submit the full report to the state Legislature for review.
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation. It is composed of 72 districts and 112 colleges serving 2.6 million students per year. Community colleges supply workforce training, basic skills courses in English and math, and prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The Chancellor’s Office provides leadership, advocacy and support under the direction of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.
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Yuba, Clear Lake has a full selection of classes offered for spring.
Students may complete specific vocational programs, develop their job skills, earn a GED, earn an associate's degree or complete courses in order to transfer to a university.
Classes begin on Jan. 17.
Financial aid is available for students who need financial assistance.
Registration may be done online at www.yccd.edu or in person by walking in. Students may call the campus at 707-995-7900 for instructions and help with the registration process.
The Clear Lake campus is offering more than 100 sections of live courses this spring and more than 100 online and televised courses are available.
Popular vocational programs include the campus' state-of-the-art culinary program, in-depth business and accounting classes, human services, chemical dependency counseling, welding and early childhood development programs.
There are many other classes being offered which fulfill general education college degree requirements and transfer requirements including English, math, history, health, sciences, psychology, sociology, Spanish, humanities, computers and speech.
The Clear Lake Campus has a variety of student services to support student achievement.
The fully staffed learning center provides tutoring in all subjects five days a week. The disability program provides support services and adaptations for students with any type of learning disability or physical disability.
“We are extremely pleased with our student services,” said Clear Lake Campus Dean Bryon Bell. “We repeatedly receive feedback from our students about the positive experiences they have with all aspects of our college. From walking in the door and all the initial assistance, through course work and tutoring, up to the day of graduation, students report feeling supported and encouraged. We are excited that our campus is providing our citizens with excellent learning opportunities.”
Tuition at all community colleges is only $36 per unit, and many students qualify for a fee waiver through the Board of Governor’s fee waiver program.
Clear Lake Campus staff are available to help students file applications for financial aid so they may receive funding to facilitate their education.
Eligible students can receive grants to cover the cost of books, school supplies and other school expenses such as transportation. These grants do not need to be repaid. Scholarships also are available.
For more information about the spring classes visit the Yuba College Web page at www.yccd.edu or call 707-995-7900 to book a counseling appointment or sign up for a new student orientation.
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"California is proud to participate in this new federal program to recognize schools with environmentally sustainable learning spaces that have boosted student performance," said Torlakson.
"Not only do green schools save districts money and energy and protect the health of students and staff, but studies also show these learning spaces actually improve academic achievement,” Torlakson continued. “This works hand-in-hand with my Schools of the Future initiative to streamline school building regulations in an effort to create jobs, green schools, and give students the opportunity to learn in modern facilities instead of relics of the past."
The U.S. Department of Education unveiled the Green Ribbon Schools award in September.
The program recognizes schools that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness, and offer environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement.
The award is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about practices proven to result in improved student engagement, academic achievement, graduation rates, and workforce preparedness, as well as a government-wide aim to increase energy independence and economic security.
The California Department of Education has collaborated with several state agencies and interested parties since September in developing the Green Ribbon Award application.
Applicants will be judged on whether their facilities have a net zero impact on the environment, whether their green facilities have had a positive impact on the health and performance of students and staff, and whether their students are literate on the environment and sustainability.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 17.
The applicants will undergo a rigorous review, then the California Department of Education will forward up to four nominees including one private school to the U.S. Department of Education by March 22 for consideration.
The winners are expected to be announced on Earth Day, April 22.
No funding is associated with the award. However, awarded schools will serve as models to emulate around the nation.
For more information on the Green Ribbon Award and to download an application, visit the California Department of Education Web site at www.cde.ca.gov/ls/fa/sf/greenribbonprog.asp.
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Cadiero-Kaplan is a professor at San Diego State University, where she chairs the Department of Policy Studies in Language and Cross Cultural Education, focusing on biliteracy and English language acquisition.
She began her career teaching elementary and secondary special education, as well as English as a Second Language at the community college level, and went on to become a professor and a provider of professional development for teachers and administrators working with bilingual students.
"In a state where a quarter of students come to school needing to learn English, it's impossible to overstate the importance of being equipped to teach them," said California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. "We have made great strides at the Department of Education, and, with Dr. Cadiero-Kaplan at the helm of those efforts, I have no doubt we'll make many more."
She will be leading the CDE's English Learner Support Division, which Torlakson created so that schools could effectively address a growing need in communities across California.
He also created an English Learner Integrated Action Team within the department, which is developing a statewide plan for English learners to better support districts and schools.
Cadiero-Kaplan has a range of publications focused on the role of education and language policies in curriculum development and teachers' professional development, including "The Literacy Curriculum & Bilingual Education: A Critical Examination."
She is a past president of the California Association of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, past vice president of the CATESOL Education Foundation and current president of Californians Together.
Cadiero-Kaplan holds a bachelor's degree from the University of San Diego in psychology and elementary education and a master's degree in cross-cultural education, special education and ESL from San Diego State University. She also holds a doctorate in curriculum development and instruction from Claremont Graduate University and San Diego State University.
She will join the California Department of Education in mid-January.