BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1942
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 1942 (Bonta)
As Amended August 11, 2014
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |76-2 |(May 29, 2014) |SENATE: |36-0 |(August 13, |
| | | | | |2014) |
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Original Committee Reference: HIGHER ED.
SUMMARY : Requires the California Community Colleges (CCCs)
Board of Governors (BOG), in determining if a CCC district
satisfies the minimum conditions for receipt of apportionment
funding, to review the accreditation status of the CCCs within
that district; requires the accrediting agency for CCCs to
report to the appropriate policy and budget subcommittees of the
Legislature upon the issuance of a decision that affects the
accreditation status of a community college and, on a biannual
basis, any accreditation policy changes that affect the
accreditation process or status for a CCC; and, requires the CCC
Chancellor's Office to ensure that the appropriate policy and
budget subcommittees are provided the aforementioned required
information.
The Senate amendments insert, and then subsequently remove,
language relative to the operations of an accreditation agency
that provides accreditation of CCC. This bill, in its current
form, is now identical to the version passed by the Assembly.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Establishes the BOG to provide general supervision over the
CCC and requires the BOG to prescribe minimum standards for
CCC formation and operation (Education Code (EDC) Section
66700);
2)Requires the BOG to develop minimum standards governing
academic standards, employment policies and shared governance;
evaluate CCC fiscal and educational effectiveness and provide
assistance when districts encounter management difficulties;
administer state funding and establish minimum conditions
entitling CCC districts to receive state funds; review and
approve educational programs; and, carry out other functions
AB 1942
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as provided in law (EDC Section 70901);
3)BOG regulations (5 California Code of Regulations Section
51016) require CCC to be accredited by the Accrediting
Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC).
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS : Accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental peer
review process used to determine academic quality. Accrediting
agencies are private organizations that establish operating
standards for educational or professional institutions and
programs, determine the extent to which the standards are met,
and publicly announce their findings. Under federal law, the
United States Department of Education (USDE) establishes the
general standards for accreditation agencies and is required to
publish a list of recognized accrediting agencies that are
deemed reliable authorities on the quality of education provided
by their accredited institutions. Institutional accreditation
is a requirement for participation in federal financial aid
programs. Under federal regulations, accrediting agencies are
required to meet general outlined standards, but specific
processes and quality standards are left to each accrediting
agency to determine.
There are six USDE-recognized regional accrediting agencies.
Each regional accreditor encompasses public, the vast majority
of non-profit private (independent), and some for-profit
postsecondary educational institutions in the region it serves.
California's regional accrediting agency is separated into two
commissions; ACCJC is the regional accrediting agency for
community colleges in the western region (California, Hawaii,
and United States territories).
Commission membership consists of the institutions ACCJC has
accredited; the 19 ACCJC commissioners are elected by a vote of
the presidents of the member-colleges and serve up to two
three-year terms. ACCJC bylaws govern, among other areas,
commission meetings, responsibilities of commissioners, and the
appeal process for institutions appealing a denial or
termination of accreditation. ACCJC bylaws may be amended by a
majority vote of the Commissioners. Under ACCJC bylaws, the
president, appointed by the Commissioners, is responsible for
general supervision, direction, and control of ACCJC operations.
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According to the author, existing law does not require standards
for due process, transparency or accountability of accrediting
entities. Without basic requirements for public transparency,
ACCJC will be allowed to continue to have a negative impact on
CCCs, making it difficult for students to attain an affordable
education. The standards in this bill are necessary to ensure
that CCCs are receiving a fair and proper accreditation.
Analysis Prepared by : Laura Metune / HIGHER ED. / (916)
319-3960
FN: 0004672