Copyright© 2007 by School Services of California, Inc.

                                      Volume 20                   For Publication Date: January 19, 2007             No. 2

Governor Schwarzenegger Continues to
Support Community Colleges 

When Governor Schwarzenegger released his 2007-08 State Budget on January 10, 2007, the 11.06% community college share of Proposition 98 was not the only surprise in his proposed Budget. In his ongoing support for community colleges, the Governor also introduced the California Community College (CCC) Student Success Initiative. According to the System Office, they had no knowledge nor were they consulted on this initiative, so it magically appeared from within the Administration. 

The Governor’s Budget proposes to redirect $33.1 million in underutilized, ongoing funds for improving student outcomes. These funds are currently dedicated for student instruction that exceeds district funding limits. The amount is designed to help at-risk students make the transition from high school to college in completing specific academic goals related to matriculation and targeted counseling. The funding is broken down into two components: 

§      $14 million is provided for additional core Matriculation program services, which includes orientations, counseling and academic assessment, referrals to specialized services, evaluation of study skills, and advising on course selection. 

§      $19.1 million is provided for targeted counseling services to help assess career options, evaluate aptitudes, and form an academic plan of study for career preparation for those students that are most at risk of failing to complete a meaningful education program. This funding would provide hands-on tutoring to assist these young adults in progressing through their plan and achieving their goals. Accountability measures for improved outcomes for these students are proposed to be incorporated into the new California Community College Accountability System through AB 1417 (Chapter 581/2004). 

FCMAT to Aid Community Colleges 

Another surprise in the Governor’s Budget was the inclusion of $350,000 to the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) to ensure that resources are available to respond to financial instability within the community college system. FCMAT has been long-standing in the K-12 community, but has not been available to community colleges. When the crisis at Compton Community College developed with limited resources and staff in the Chancellor’s Office, FCMAT was brought in to help address the situation. 

—Jamillah Moore, Ed.D.