BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 626
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 12, 2011
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Marty Block, Chair
AB 626 (Blumenfield) - As Introduced: February 16, 2011
SUBJECT : Distance learning: definition.
SUMMARY : Would establish a definition for "distance learning"
to mean a course conducted with over one-half of the
instructional content delivered when faculty and students are in
different physical places.
EXISTING LAW : Establishes a California Distance Learning Policy
to set forth guiding goals and principles for the use of
technology in California postsecondary education. Establishes
the California Virtual Campus pursuant to funding provided to
the CCC BOG to, among other responsibilities, enhance awareness
and utilization of online courses of study.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by
Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS : Background : Distance learning generally refers to
instruction in which faculty and students are in separate
locations and communicating using technology. Most distance
learning is delivered over the internet or with television. In
California, the main providers of distance learning are private
for-profit colleges and the California Community Colleges (CCC).
The California State University (CSU) also offers some
instruction using distance education; however, the University of
California's (UC) use of distance education is limited.
Distance education has experienced tremendous growth in recent
years. According to estimates, approximately 4.6 million
students (about one-quarter of total enrollments) nationwide
took at least one course online at their college or university
in the fall of 2008. According to information compiled by the
Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) in 1999-00, about 115,000
students in the CCC system took at least one class via distance
education (out of a system-wide headcount of 2.5 million). By
2009-10, over 600,000 CCC students were taking distance
education courses, out of a system-wide headcount of 2.8
million.
Defining distance education : In the recent report, "Using
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Distance Education to Increase College Access and Efficiency,"
the LAO notes that there is no common definition of distance
learning among California's public postsecondary institutions.
The CCC system defines distance learning as courses where more
than 50% of content is delivered when faculty and students are
not in the same location. The CSU does not have a systemwide
definition. For example, one campus may use the 50% threshold
while another may use a different percentage. As a result, CSU
is unable to determine the total number of students enrolled in
online or video-based courses. The LAO notes that this lack of
a common definition makes it impossible for the Legislature and
segments to measure workload and track enrollment trends.
Purpose of this bill : The author notes that as distance
learning becomes more prevalent it becomes increasingly
important to establish a common baseline definition to enable
data collection that will assist the Legislature and the
segments in determining the strengths and weaknesses of this
method of learning.
Proposed amendments : Committee staff notes that based on the
background provided by the author this definition appears
intended solely for the use of distance learning data collection
and reporting. Additionally, AB 851 (Nestande), set for hearing
in this Committee on April 12, 2011, establishes a definition
for a slightly different definition for distance learning for
public postsecondary education and requires the segments to
report specified data regarding distance education courses and
programs. Committee staff recommends the following amendments
to address these issues:
66942. For the purposes of this article data collection and
reporting by the California Community Colleges, the California
State University and the University of California , "distance
learning course " means a course conducted with over one-half a
majority of the instructional content delivered when faculty
and students are in different physical places locations and
instruction is delivered through the use of technology .
UC concerns : UC has expressed concern that hybrid course
offerings are not easily categorized and has requested
amendments to provide institutions the right to determine a
distance learning course when the course includes face-to-face
instruction. However, Committee staff notes that allowing
institutions to individually determine distance learning courses
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appears to undermine the intent of the bill to create a standard
definition that would allow comparisons across segments and
campuses. Committee staff suggests that the author and UC
continue working together on these issues as the bill moves
forward.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
None on File
Opposition
None on File
Analysis Prepared by : Laura Metune / HIGHER ED. / (916)
319-3960