BILL ANALYSIS
------------------------------------------------------------
|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1143|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|1020 N Street, Suite 524 | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
------------------------------------------------------------
THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 1143
Author: Liu (D), et al
Amended: 6/1/10
Vote: 21
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE : 7-0, 4/21/10
AYES: Romero, Huff, Alquist, Hancock, Liu, Price, Wyland
NO VOTE RECORDED: Maldonado, Simitian
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 8-0, 5/27/10
AYES: Kehoe, Alquist, Denham, Price, Walters, Wolk,
Wyland, Yee
NO VOTE RECORDED: Cox, Corbett, Leno
SUBJECT : Community college funding
SOURCE : Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
DIGEST : This bill changes the calculation of full-time
equivalent student (FTES) enrollment for purposes of
revenue apportionment within the California Community
Colleges to the average enrollment in a course at the
one-fifth point and at course completion, as specified, and
prohibits any reduction in revenues as a result of the
changed calculation until the 2013-14 fiscal year.
ANALYSIS : Current law requires that attendance at a
California Community College be recorded and kept according
to rules and regulations prescribed by the Board of
Governors (BOG). Current law also provides that attendance
CONTINUED
SB 1143
Page
2
means "full-time equivalent student" or FTES, as that term
is defined by regulations adopted by BOG.
Funding for California community colleges is based, in
part, on a calculation using the FTES. Regulations adopted
by BOG specify the method of computing FTES for
apportionment purposes and, generally, require its
computation using the enrollment as of the Monday of the
week nearest to one-fifth of the length of the term.
This bill:
1.Changes the calculation of full-time equivalent student
enrollment for purposes of revenue apportionment within
the California Community Colleges to the average active
enrollment in a course as of the one-fifth point and at
course completion.
2.Authorizes BOG to adopt an alternative equivalent
calculation for short term and irregularly scheduled
credit courses, open entry/exit courses, in-service
training courses, non-credit courses (except for distance
courses), apprenticeship classes, and tutoring courses.
3.Requires BOG to adopt one or more weighting factors for
the FTES calculation to ensure that districts do not have
disincentives to enroll students from demographic groups
with historically lower rates of course completion.
4.Prohibits any reduction in revenues as a result of the
changed FTES calculation until the 2013-14 fiscal year.
5.Adds additional groups to weighting criteria, including
low-income students, English language learners, students
with disabilities, and students entering with English or
math competencies below college level.
6.Total funding to the system would not be reduced as a
result of the new FTES calculation and apportionment.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:
SB 1143
Page
3
Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2010-11 2011-12
2012-13 Fund
Administrative costs unknown,
potentially millions General*
*Counts toward meeting the Proposition 98 minimum funding
guarantee
SUPPORT : (Verified 6/1/10)
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce (source)
Business Council of San Joaquin County
Campaign for College Opportunity
Contra Costa Council
Long Beach Chamber of Commerce
Long Beach City College
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
Los Angeles County Business Federation
REAL Coalition
Regional Chamber of Commerce- San Gabriel Valley
OPPOSITION : (Verified 6/1/10)
Bakersfield College and Board of Governors of the
California Community Colleges
Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges
California School Employees Association
Community College League of California
Faculty Association of California Community Colleges
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
Kern, Los Angeles, Los Rios, Mt. San Jacinto and Yosemite
Community
College Districts
San Bernardino Community College District
State Center Community College District
Yuba Community College District
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author's office,
increasing the rate of community college degree and
certificate completion will help build a skilled and
economically productive labor force. The author notes
SB 1143
Page
4
that, of those entering the community colleges seeking a
degree (as opposed to remediation or enrichment); only 29
percent complete a certificate or degree or transfer to a
university within seven years of enrolling. This bill
seeks to establish a funding formula that rewards increased
completion rates. Using a student census that averages the
count of those enrolled one-fifth of the way into a course
with the count of students who complete the course, creates
an incentive for community colleges to assist students to
enroll in appropriate courses, and complete their courses,
certificates, and degrees.
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION : Opponents argue that this bill
would lead to a decrease in funding for community colleges
due to circumstances that are, many times, beyond the
college's control, without recognizing that community
colleges are currently underfunded. This bill would only
serve to reduce the resources that students need in order
to ensure success.
PQ:nl 6/1/10 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
**** END ****