Bill Text: CA AB851 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Amended

California Assembly Bill 851 (Prior Session Legislation)

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Distance learning.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2011-08-25 - In committee: Held under submission. [AB851 Detail]

Download: California-2011-AB851-Amended.html

BILL NUMBER: AB 851	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 14, 2011

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Nestande

                        FEBRUARY 17, 2011

   An act to add and repeal Section 66942 of the Education Code,
relating to public postsecondary education.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 851, as amended, Nestande. Distance learning.
   Existing law establishes the various segments of the public higher
education system in the state. These segments include the University
of California, which is administered by the Regents of the
University of California, the California State University, which is
administered by the Trustees of the California State University, and
the California Community Colleges, which is administered by the Board
of Governors of the California Community Colleges.
   This bill would require  that by January 1, 2014   ,
  and every 2 years thereafter,  the California State
University and the Board of Governors of the California Community
Colleges, and request the University of California  to
 ,  to  report to the Legislature on workload and
key performance data on distance learning courses, as defined. The
bill would require the California Virtual Campus and the California
State University  by July 1, 2012, and updated   one
  year thereafter,  to report to the Legislature on the
California Online Program Planner project. The bill would require
the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the
California State University to report to the Legislature  by
January 1, 2013,  on the feasibility of developing  an
 accelerated  bachelors's   associate's
and bachelor's  degree completion  program 
 programs  consisting of distance learning courses, aimed at
students who started college but never obtained a degree.  This
bill would   ,   by November 1, 2011, also require
the Legislative Analyst   's Office   to convene a
task force   composed of members of the Legislature and
members of the administration to identify the steps needed to
establish the Western Governors University, California. The task
force would, by November 1, 2012, be required to report their
findings and recommendations to the Legislature.  These
provisions would be repealed on January 1, 2018.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 66942 is added to the Education Code, to read:
   66942.  (a) As used in this section, "distance learning course"
means a course where a majority of the instruction is delivered by
the Internet, television, or other means in which the student and
instructor are in different locations and instruction is delivered
through the use of technology.
   (b) (1) By January 1, 2014, and every two years thereafter, the
California State University and the Board of Governors of the
California Community Colleges shall, and the University of California
is requested to, report to the Legislature on workload and key
performance data on distance learning courses, including, but not
limited to, all of the following:
   (A) The number of students enrolled in a distance learning course
at each campus, categorized by type of delivery method for the
distance learning course.
   (B) Completion rates for distance learning courses.
   (C) Program completion rates for degree programs that include
exclusively distance learning courses.
   (2) Student enrollment and completion rate data included in a
report to be submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be made
available by demographics such as age, gender, and ethnicity.
   (c) By July 1, 2012, the California Virtual Campus and the
California State University shall report to the Legislature on the
California Online Program Planner project, which will provide
students, beginning with students in the San Francisco Bay area, a
single online source to enroll in distance learning courses and will
provide other collaborative efficiencies. An updated report shall be
provided on July 1, 2013.
   (d) By January 1, 2013, the Board of Governors of the California
Community Colleges and the California State University shall report
to the Legislature on the feasibility of developing  an
 accelerated  associate's and  bachelor's degree
completion  program   programs  consisting
of distance learning courses, aimed at students who started college
but never obtained a degree. 
   (e) (1) By November 1, 2011, the Legislative Analyst shall convene
a task force composed of members of the Legislature and members of
the administration to identify the steps needed to establish the
Western Governors University, California.  
   (2) By November 1, 2012, the task force convened pursuant to this
subdivision shall report to the Legislature on the findings and
recommendations of the task force.  
   (e) (1) A report 
    (f)     (1)     All
reports  to be submitted pursuant to this section shall be
submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
   (2) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this
section is repealed on January 1, 2018.