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The importance of our community colleges

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California Faces a 2.3 Million Gap in Postsecondary Credentials

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Nearly 2/3 of California’s College Students are Enrolled at Community Colleges

East Los Angeles College, with an enrollment of 30,000 students, is the largest campus in the LA community college district, which itself is the largest community college district in the U.S.

City College of San Francisco, with an enrollment of around 90,000 students, is the single largest community college in the U.S.

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Radiological technician

More than half of all career-tech degrees are awarded by CCCs

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Student needs get lost in a tangled bureaucracy

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Too many colleges face problems with leadership, decision-making, and clarity of roles

“[T]here is no responsibility or accountability because it is often unclear how or by whom decisions have been made”

– Accreditor report on City College of San

Francisco

Because of an internal power struggle the college is “in a state of crisis.”

– Accreditor report on Lassen College7 of 24

Colleges must give students, staff, and faculty the opportunity to provide input before decisions are made.

AB 1725 (1988) was good policy:

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On curriculum and academic standards, academic senates should take the lead in making recommendations.

AB 1725 (1988)

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But…

Regulations adopted by the statewide Board of Governors gave academic senates the ability to trump staff, students, and even trustees.

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Confusion of roles undermines effective, collaborative leadership

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Students are unable to get the classes they need

San Diego City College Intro Biology Course

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Colleges lose out on federal support

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CCSF, the latest community college facing sanctions from ACCJC

Dysfunction places accreditation at risk

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L.C. 1 – The Path to Improvement

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The problematic regulations are illegal

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Revise the regulations to clarify accountability

L.C. 1

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All constituencies deserve to have their voices heard

Students Academic senate

Community

Governing board

Other facultyStaff

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Clarifying responsibility makes leadership & improvement possible

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SSTF implementation requires leadership at the campus level

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All perspectives should be heard, including academic senates

Shared student assessment system. Courses offered should address student

needs first. Professional development to improve

teaching and advising. Monitor progress toward student success

goals. Pilot innovative approaches for basic

skills instruction.

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A strong and effective community college system is vital to building vibrant communities and a strong economy

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Tell the Board of Governors you support L.C. 1

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www.californiacompetes.org/take-action

#CalCompetes

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