Board has expressed interest in and concern about protecting basic skills education.
Whereas, More than half of all students coming into community colleges need basic skills courses for college success;
Whereas, A growing proportion of students who need basic skills courses are also those who are returning to education after a number of years and for whom basic skills education provides a transition back into the classroom; and
Whereas, It is in society's best interest to offer basic skills education because college graduates earn higher lifetime incomes, pay higher taxes, have a higher rate of homeownership, vote in higher percentages and serve as community leaders in higher rates than those who do not complete a college degree;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges urge the Board of Governors and the Chancellor's Office to not only protect the community colleges' investment in basic skills education but also to work in conjunction with the Legislature to increase the investment in basic skills education.