Copyright© 2002 by School Services of California, Inc.

Volume 15                   For Publication Date: December 6, 2002             No. 24

Legislative Analyst’s Office Recommended Legislation  

The role of the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) is to review state programs and make recommendations to the Legislature as to how the state can operate more effectively and efficiently.  Most of the LAO’s recommendations can be addressed in the annual budget bill; however, some of their recommendations involve changes in law that require separate legislation.  The deadline for bill requests to Legislative Counsel is January 24, 2003 .  The following recommendations impact community colleges:  

• Require the University of California, California State University, and California Community Colleges to assess and routinely report on the effectiveness of their precollegiate courses.  According to the LAO, currently none of the segments assess and report on the effectiveness of these courses in actually helping prepare students for college-level coursework.

• Enhance incentives for community colleges to provide remedial education.  Fund all precollegiate courses at a uniform rate—the community college credit rate.  Currently, the three segments of higher education receive funding for precollegiate courses at different rates. The LAO recommends that the state fund all of these courses at the community college credit rate (which is approximately $4,300 per FTES).

• Consolidate community college categorical programs.  The LAO recommends that 11 community college categorical programs be funded through two block grants.  Specifically, create a “Student Services” block grant to fund community college financial aid, extended opportunity programs and services, disabled students, Fund for Student Success, and matriculation programs.  Also, create a “Faculty and Staff Support” block grant to fund community college instructional improvement, faculty and staff diversity, faculty and staff development, part-time faculty compensation, part-time faculty office hours, and part-time faculty health insurance programs.  The LAO made this same recommendation during last years’ community college budget debate—it was rejected by the Legislature.

• Link community college funding to performance.  Modify the “Partnership for Excellence” (PFE) with the community colleges to create a meaningful link between funding and performance.  At least $100 million of community college PEE funding should be allocated to districts based on their achievements in specified areas.  This recommendation is also not new—it was previously rejected by the Legislature.

The community college system will likely continue to oppose the last two recommendations of the LAO.

— Arnold Bray