BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 387
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Date of Hearing: May 8, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 387 (Levine) - As Amended: April 30, 2013
Policy Committee: Higher
EducationVote:13-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires the California State University (CSU) to
report performance data for students taking online courses.
Specifically, this bill requires the CSU Board of Trustees to:
1)Establish uniform definitions of online education for the
system by January 1, 2015.
2)Report to the Legislature student performance data, as
specified, by January 1, 2017 and every two years thereafter
through 2021.
FISCAL EFFECT
CSU indicates that it is currently developing a uniform
definition of online courses. General Fund costs for the initial
report will be $50,000 and $15,000 for each of the two
subsequent reports. These costs are absorbable.
COMMENTS
1)Background . According to the Legislative Analyst's Office
(LAO), distance learning offers numerous benefits, including
providing greater access to educational and training
opportunities due to increased scheduling flexibility, as well
as allowing campuses to serve more students without needing
additional physical infrastructure. The Governor has
encouraged the segments to expand their online offerings.
Specifically, his 2013-14 budget proposal earmarks $16.9
million to CCC and $10 million each to CSU and UC for this
purpose.
AB 387
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Launched in January 2013, CSU Online is the newest platform of
services that supports students and faculty in teaching and
learning through online programs. CSU Online will host both
graduate and undergraduate programs, but has an initial focus
on former students who have had to drop out of the CSU and are
looking to complete their degrees.
2)Purpose . According to the author, this bill is aimed at
addressing several policy problems that exist within the CSU.
The CSU is seeking to deliver new and existing courses through
online education, which is a powerful tool, but as it
continues to develop, the Legislature should ensure it is
appropriately measured so adjustments and improvements can be
made.
3)Related Legislation . The following online education bills are
pending in this committee:
a) AB 386 (Levine) allows CSU students to enroll in courses
offered entirely online by any CSU campus.
b) AB 944 (Nestande) establishes a common definition of
distance learning course and requires data gathering and
reporting on such courses offered by the state public
postsecondary institutions.
c) AB 985 (Rendon) establishes a task force to examine
online education in California's public higher education
systems.
In addition, SB 520 (Steinberg) seeks to provide a
statewide mechanism for online course providers to offer
transferable courses for credit throughout the state's
public postsecondary education, and SB 547 (Block) requires
the UC, CSU, and CCC academic senates to identify online
courses to be available for students of all three segments.
Analysis Prepared by : Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081