Bill Text: CA AB1029 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Community colleges: course approval.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2011-07-25 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 112, Statutes of 2011. [AB1029 Detail]
Download: California-2011-AB1029-Chaptered.html
BILL NUMBER: AB 1029 CHAPTERED BILL TEXT CHAPTER 112 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE JULY 25, 2011 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR JULY 25, 2011 PASSED THE SENATE JULY 1, 2011 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY MAY 12, 2011 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 6, 2011 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Lara FEBRUARY 18, 2011 An act to amend Sections 70901 and 70902 of the Education Code, relating to community colleges. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1029, Lara. Community colleges: course approval. Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. Existing law, until January 1, 2013, deletes a requirement that the board of governors review and approve courses of instruction that are not offered as part of an educational program approved by the board of governors. This bill would extend the date of deletion of this requirement to January 1, 2014. Existing law establishes community college districts, and requires each district to be under the control of a governing board. Existing law, until January 1, 2013, authorizes a community college district governing board to offer credit courses of instruction without the approval of the board of governors only under conditions authorized by regulations adopted by the board of governors. This bill would extend that authorization to January 1, 2018. Existing law requires the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, on or before January 1, 2012, to prepare and submit a report to the chairpersons of the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature describing the results of the monitoring of these courses undertaken pursuant to regulations developed by the board of governors under the law and the extent to which community college districts have complied with those regulations. This bill would, instead, require the chancellor to prepare and submit this report by January 1, 2013. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 70901 of the Education Code, as amended by Section 2 of Chapter 817 of the Statutes of 2006, is amended to read: 70901. (a) The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges shall provide leadership and direction in the continuing development of the California Community Colleges as an integral and effective element in the structure of public higher education in the state. The work of the board of governors shall at all times be directed to maintaining and continuing, to the maximum degree permissible, local authority and control in the administration of the California Community Colleges. (b) Subject to, and in furtherance of, subdivision (a), and in consultation with community college districts and other interested parties as specified in subdivision (e), the board of governors shall provide general supervision over community college districts, and shall, in furtherance thereof, perform the following functions: (1) Establish minimum standards as required by law, including, but not limited to, the following: (A) Minimum standards to govern student academic standards relating to graduation requirements and probation, dismissal, and readmission policies. (B) Minimum standards for the employment of academic and administrative staff in community colleges. (C) Minimum standards for the formation of community colleges and districts. (D) Minimum standards for credit and noncredit classes. (E) Minimum standards governing procedures established by governing boards of community college districts to ensure faculty, staff, and students the right to participate effectively in district and college governance, and the opportunity to express their opinions at the campus level and to ensure that these opinions are given every reasonable consideration, and the right of academic senates to assume primary responsibility for making recommendations in the areas of curriculum and academic standards. (2) Evaluate and issue annual reports on the fiscal and educational effectiveness of community college districts according to outcome measures cooperatively developed with those districts, and provide assistance when districts encounter severe management difficulties. (3) Conduct necessary systemwide research on community colleges and provide appropriate information services, including, but not limited to, definitions for the purpose of uniform reporting, collection, compilation, and analysis of data for effective planning and coordination, and dissemination of information. (4) Provide representation, advocacy, and accountability for the California Community Colleges before state and national legislative and executive agencies. (5) Administer state support programs, both operational and capital outlay, and those federally supported programs for which the board of governors has responsibility pursuant to state or federal law. In so doing, the board of governors shall do the following: (A) (i) Annually prepare and adopt a proposed budget for the California Community Colleges. The proposed budget shall, at a minimum, identify the total revenue needs for serving educational needs within the mission, the amount to be expended for the state general apportionment, the amounts requested for various categorical programs established by law, the amounts requested for new programs and budget improvements, and the amount requested for systemwide administration. (ii) The proposed budget for the California Community Colleges shall be submitted to the Department of Finance in accordance with established timelines for development of the annual Budget Bill. (B) To the extent authorized by law, establish the method for determining and allocating the state general apportionment. (C) Establish space and utilization standards for facility planning in order to determine eligibility for state funds for construction purposes. (6) Establish minimum conditions entitling districts to receive state aid for support of community colleges. In so doing, the board of governors shall establish and carry out a periodic review of each community college district to determine whether it has met the minimum conditions prescribed by the board of governors. (7) Coordinate and encourage interdistrict, regional, and statewide development of community college programs, facilities, and services. (8) Facilitate articulation with other segments of higher education with secondary education. (9) Review and approve comprehensive plans for each community college district. The plans shall be submitted to the board of governors by the governing board of each community college district. (10) (A) Review and approve all educational programs offered by community college districts. The board of governors shall adopt regulations defining the conditions under which a community college district may offer, without the need for approval by the board of governors, a credit course that is not part of an approved educational program. Regulations adopted under this paragraph shall ensure that appropriate safeguards involving training and monitoring are in place, and shall ensure that the authority to offer credit courses that are not part of an approved educational program does not have the effect of permitting community college districts to operate educational programs without the approval of the board of governors. (B) In a manner that is consistent with the regulations adopted by the board of governors under this paragraph, the chancellor shall monitor courses approved pursuant to the act that adds this subparagraph. The chancellor shall prepare and submit a report to the chairpersons of the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature on or before January 1, 2013. This report shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, a description of the results of the monitoring and the extent to which community college districts have complied with applicable regulations of the board of governors. (11) Exercise general supervision over the formation of new community college districts and the reorganization of existing community college districts, including the approval or disapproval of plans therefor. (12) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, be solely responsible for establishing, maintaining, revising, and updating, as necessary, the uniform budgeting and accounting structures and procedures for the California Community Colleges. (13) Establish policies regarding interdistrict attendance of students. (14) Advise and assist governing boards of community college districts on the implementation and interpretation of state and federal laws affecting community colleges. (15) Contract for the procurement of goods and services, as necessary. (16) Carry out other functions as expressly provided by law. (c) Subject to, and in furtherance of, subdivision (a), the board of governors shall have full authority to adopt rules and regulations necessary and proper to execute the functions specified in this section as well as other functions that the board of governors is expressly authorized by statute to regulate. (d) Wherever in this section or any other statute a power is vested in the board of governors, the board of governors, by a majority vote, may adopt a rule delegating that power to the chancellor, or any officer, employee, or committee of the California Community Colleges, or community college district, as the board of governors may designate. However, the board of governors shall not delegate any power that is expressly made nondelegable by statute. Any rule delegating authority shall prescribe the limits of delegation. (e) In performing the functions specified in this section, the board of governors shall establish and carry out a process for consultation with institutional representatives of community college districts so as to ensure their participation in the development and review of policy proposals. The consultation process shall also afford community college organizations, as well as interested individuals and parties, an opportunity to review and comment on proposed policy before it is adopted by the board of governors. (f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2014, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends that date. SEC. 2. Section 70901 of the Education Code, as added by Section 3 of Chapter 817 of the Statutes of 2006, is amended to read: 70901. (a) The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges shall provide leadership and direction in the continuing development of the California Community Colleges as an integral and effective element in the structure of public higher education in the state. The work of the board of governors shall at all times be directed to maintaining and continuing, to the maximum degree permissible, local authority and control in the administration of the California Community Colleges. (b) Subject to, and in furtherance of, subdivision (a), and in consultation with community college districts and other interested parties as specified in subdivision (e), the board of governors shall provide general supervision over community college districts, and shall, in furtherance of those purposes, perform the following functions: (1) Establish minimum standards as required by law, including, but not limited to, the following: (A) Minimum standards to govern student academic standards relating to graduation requirements and probation, dismissal, and readmission policies. (B) Minimum standards for the employment of academic and administrative staff in community colleges. (C) Minimum standards for the formation of community colleges and districts. (D) Minimum standards for credit and noncredit classes. (E) Minimum standards governing procedures established by governing boards of community college districts to ensure faculty, staff, and students the right to participate effectively in district and college governance, and the opportunity to express their opinions at the campus level and to ensure that these opinions are given every reasonable consideration, and the right of academic senates to assume primary responsibility for making recommendations in the areas of curriculum and academic standards. (2) Evaluate and issue annual reports on the fiscal and educational effectiveness of community college districts according to outcome measures cooperatively developed with those districts, and provide assistance when districts encounter severe management difficulties. (3) Conduct necessary systemwide research on community colleges and provide appropriate information services, including, but not limited to, definitions for the purpose of uniform reporting, collection, compilation, and analysis of data for effective planning and coordination, and dissemination of information. (4) Provide representation, advocacy, and accountability for the California Community Colleges before state and national legislative and executive agencies. (5) Administer state support programs, both operational and capital outlay, and those federally supported programs for which the board of governors has responsibility pursuant to state or federal law. In so doing, the board of governors shall do the following: (A) (i) Annually prepare and adopt a proposed budget for the California Community Colleges. The proposed budget shall, at a minimum, identify the total revenue needs for serving educational needs within the mission, the amount to be expended for the state general apportionment, the amounts requested for various categorical programs established by law, the amounts requested for new programs and budget improvements, and the amount requested for systemwide administration. (ii) The proposed budget for the California Community Colleges shall be submitted to the Department of Finance in accordance with established timelines for development of the annual Budget Bill. (B) To the extent authorized by law, establish the method for determining and allocating the state general apportionment. (C) Establish space and utilization standards for facility planning in order to determine eligibility for state funds for construction purposes. (6) Establish minimum conditions entitling districts to receive state aid for support of community colleges. In so doing, the board of governors shall establish and carry out a periodic review of each community college district to determine whether it has met the minimum conditions prescribed by the board of governors. (7) Coordinate and encourage interdistrict, regional, and statewide development of community college programs, facilities, and services. (8) Facilitate articulation with other segments of higher education with secondary education. (9) Review and approve comprehensive plans for each community college district. The plans shall be submitted to the board of governors by the governing board of each community college district. (10) Review and approve all educational programs offered by community college districts, and all courses that are not offered as part of an educational program approved by the board of governors. (11) Exercise general supervision over the formation of new community college districts and the reorganization of existing community college districts, including the approval or disapproval of plans therefor. (12) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, be solely responsible for establishing, maintaining, revising, and updating, as necessary, the uniform budgeting and accounting structures and procedures for the California Community Colleges. (13) Establish policies regarding interdistrict attendance of students. (14) Advise and assist governing boards of community college districts on the implementation and interpretation of state and federal laws affecting community colleges. (15) Contract for the procurement of goods and services, as necessary. (16) Carry out other functions as expressly provided by law. (c) Subject to, and in furtherance of, subdivision (a), the board of governors shall have full authority to adopt rules and regulations necessary and proper to execute the functions specified in this section as well as other functions that the board of governors is expressly authorized by statute to regulate. (d) Wherever in this section or any other statute a power is vested in the board of governors, the board of governors, by a majority vote, may adopt a rule delegating that power to the chancellor, or any officer, employee, or committee of the California Community Colleges, or community college district, as the board of governors may designate. However, the board of governors shall not delegate any power that is expressly made nondelegable by statute. Any rule delegating authority shall prescribe the limits of delegation. (e) In performing the functions specified in this section, the board of governors shall establish and carry out a process for consultation with institutional representatives of community college districts so as to ensure their participation in the development and review of policy proposals. The consultation process shall also afford community college organizations, as well as interested individuals and parties, an opportunity to review and comment on proposed policy before it is adopted by the board of governors. (f) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014. SEC. 3. Section 70902 of the Education Code, as amended by Section 4 of Chapter 817 of the Statutes of 2006, is amended to read: 70902. (a) (1) Every community college district shall be under the control of a board of trustees, which is referred to herein as the "governing board." The governing board of each community college district shall establish, maintain, operate, and govern one or more community colleges in accordance with law. In so doing, the governing board may initiate and carry on any program or activity, or may otherwise act, in any manner that is not in conflict with, inconsistent with, or preempted by, any law, and that is not in conflict with the purposes for which community college districts are established. (2) The governing board of each community college district shall establish rules and regulations not inconsistent with the regulations of the board of governors and the laws of this state for the government and operation of one or more community colleges in the district. (b) In furtherance of subdivision (a), the governing board of each community college district shall do all of the following: (1) Establish policies for, and approve, current and long-range academic and facilities plans and programs, and promote orderly growth and development of the community colleges within the district. In so doing, the governing board shall, as required by law, establish policies for, develop, and approve, comprehensive plans. The governing board shall submit the comprehensive plans to the board of governors for review and approval. (2) (A) Establish policies for and approve credit courses of instruction and educational programs. The educational programs shall be submitted to the board of governors for approval. A credit course of instruction that is not offered in an approved educational program may be offered without the approval of the board of governors only under conditions authorized by regulations adopted by the board of governors. (B) The governing board shall establish policies for, and approve, individual courses that are offered in approved educational programs, without referral to the board of governors. (3) Establish academic standards, probation, dismissal, and readmission policies, and graduation requirements not inconsistent with the minimum standards adopted by the board of governors. (4) Employ and assign all personnel not inconsistent with the minimum standards adopted by the board of governors, and establish employment practices, salaries, and benefits for all employees not inconsistent with the laws of this state. (5) To the extent authorized by law, determine and control the district's operational and capital outlay budgets. The district governing board shall determine the need for elections for override tax levies and bond measures, and request that those elections be called. (6) Manage and control district property. The governing board may contract for the procurement of goods and services as authorized by law. (7) Establish procedures not inconsistent with minimum standards established by the board of governors to ensure faculty, staff, and students the opportunity to express their opinions at the campus level, to ensure that these opinions are given every reasonable consideration, to ensure the right to participate effectively in district and college governance, and to ensure the right of academic senates to assume primary responsibility for making recommendations in the areas of curriculum and academic standards. (8) Establish rules and regulations governing student conduct. (9) Establish student fees as it is required to establish by law, and, in its discretion, fees as it is authorized to establish by law. (10) In its discretion, receive and administer gifts, grants, and scholarships. (11) Provide auxiliary services as deemed necessary to achieve the purposes of the community college. (12) Within the framework provided by law, determine the district' s academic calendar, including the holidays it will observe. (13) Hold and convey property for the use and benefit of the district. The governing board may acquire, by eminent domain, any property necessary to carry out the powers or functions of the district. (14) Participate in the consultation process established by the board of governors for the development and review of policy proposals. (c) In carrying out the powers and duties specified in subdivision (b) or other provisions of statute, the governing board of each community college district shall have full authority to adopt rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the regulations of the board of governors and the laws of this state, that are necessary and proper to executing these prescribed functions. (d) Wherever in this section or any other statute a power is vested in the governing board, the governing board of a community college district, by majority vote, may adopt a rule delegating the power to the district's chief executive officer or any other employee or committee as the governing board may designate. However, the governing board shall not delegate any power that is expressly made nondelegable by statute. Any rule delegating authority shall prescribe the limits of the delegation. (e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2014, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends that date. SEC. 4. Section 70902 of the Education Code, as added by Section 5 of Chapter 817 of the Statutes of 2006, is amended to read: 70902. (a) (1) Every community college district shall be under the control of a board of trustees, which is referred to herein as the "governing board." The governing board of each community college district shall establish, maintain, operate, and govern one or more community colleges in accordance with law. In so doing, the governing board may initiate and carry on any program, activity, or may otherwise act in any manner that is not in conflict with or inconsistent with, or preempted by, any law and that is not in conflict with the purposes for which community college districts are established. (2) The governing board of each community college district shall establish rules and regulations not inconsistent with the regulations of the board of governors and the laws of this state for the government and operation of one or more community colleges in the district. (b) In furtherance of subdivision (a), the governing board of each community college district shall do all of the following: (1) Establish policies for, and approve, current and long-range academic and facilities plans and programs and promote orderly growth and development of the community colleges within the district. In so doing, the governing board shall, as required by law, establish policies for, develop, and approve, comprehensive plans. The governing board shall submit the comprehensive plans to the board of governors for review and approval. (2) Establish policies for and approve courses of instruction and educational programs. The educational programs shall be submitted to the board of governors for approval. Courses of instruction that are not offered in approved educational programs shall be submitted to the board of governors for approval. The governing board shall establish policies for, and approve, individual courses that are offered in approved educational programs, without referral to the board of governors. (3) Establish academic standards, probation and dismissal and readmission policies, and graduation requirements not inconsistent with the minimum standards adopted by the board of governors. (4) Employ and assign all personnel not inconsistent with the minimum standards adopted by the board of governors and establish employment practices, salaries, and benefits for all employees not inconsistent with the laws of this state. (5) To the extent authorized by law, determine and control the district's operational and capital outlay budgets. The district governing board shall determine the need for elections for override tax levies and bond measures and request that those elections be called. (6) Manage and control district property. The governing board may contract for the procurement of goods and services as authorized by law. (7) Establish procedures that are consistent with minimum standards established by the board of governors to ensure faculty, staff, and students the opportunity to express their opinions at the campus level, to ensure that these opinions are given every reasonable consideration, to ensure the right to participate effectively in district and college governance, and to ensure the right of academic senates to assume primary responsibility for making recommendations in the areas of curriculum and academic standards. (8) Establish rules and regulations governing student conduct. (9) Establish student fees as it is required to establish by law, and, in its discretion, fees as it is authorized to establish by law. (10) In its discretion, receive and administer gifts, grants, and scholarships. (11) Provide auxiliary services as deemed necessary to achieve the purposes of the community college. (12) Within the framework provided by law, determine the district' s academic calendar, including the holidays it will observe. (13) Hold and convey property for the use and benefit of the district. The governing board may acquire by eminent domain any property necessary to carry out the powers or functions of the district. (14) Participate in the consultation process established by the board of governors for the development and review of policy proposals. (c) In carrying out the powers and duties specified in subdivision (b) or other provisions of statute, the governing board of each community college district shall have full authority to adopt rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the regulations of the board of governors and the laws of this state, that are necessary and proper to executing these prescribed functions. (d) Wherever in this section or any other statute a power is vested in the governing board, the governing board of a community college district, by majority vote, may adopt a rule delegating the power to the district's chief executive officer or any other employee or committee as the governing board may designate. However, the governing board shall not delegate any power that is expressly made nondelegable by statute. Any rule delegating authority shall prescribe the limits of the delegation. (e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.