Effect of Budget Cuts on Basic Skills and Noncredit Education in California Community Colleges

Fall
2009
Resolution Number
05.01
 
Contact
Assigned to
Noncredit, Pre-Transfer, & Continuing Education Committee
Category
Budget and Finance
Status
Completed
Status Report

This resolution was addressed in various Rostrum articles and the paper in the 09-10 year. In 10-11, this resolution was completed at the Fall 2010 Plenary Session and in the Basic Skills Institute. In addition, the Non Credit Accountability Task Force project is also working on issues noted in this resolution.

Whereas, The literature review Basic Skills as a Foundation for Student Success in California Community Colleges established that the majority of our California community college students are enrolling with significant basic skills needs, often many levels below college level ability;

Whereas, The majority of those underprepared students are served through basic skills credit and noncredit instruction which is taught predominantly by part-time instructors, whose numbers have been disproportionately reduced in many colleges as a result of the current budget crisis;

Whereas, The Basic Skills as a Foundation for Student Success in California Community Colleges demonstrated that matriculation, counseling, and other student services play a key role in ensuring the success of underprepared students, yet these support areas have suffered unreasonable statewide and local cuts as a result of the current budget crisis; and

Whereas, The recent Accountability Report for Community Colleges (ARCC) Basic Skills supplemental report confirms that even prior to the current budget crisis the California Community College (CCC) System had insufficient basic skills sections and student services available to meet our basic skills students’ needs in both credit and noncredit instruction;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges work with its educational partners to identify and publicize as part of its ongoing advocacy efforts the effect of budget cuts on credit and noncredit basic skills instruction;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges support local senates’ efforts to preserve previous gains and effective statewide strategies designed to serve the majority of our basic skills students, both credit and non-credit; and

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges report via a Rostrum article or breakout session on research efforts regarding the effect of budget cuts on credit and noncredit basic skills instruction by the Fall 2010 Plenary Session.

MSC Disposition: Board of Governors, Chancellor’s Office, Local Senates