BILL NUMBER: AB 851	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 13, 2011
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 25, 2011
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 14, 2011

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Nestande
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Blumenfield, Garrick, and Jeffries)

                        FEBRUARY 17, 2011

   An act to add and repeal Section 66942 of the Education Code,
relating to public postsecondary education.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 851, as amended, Nestande. Distance learning.
   Existing law establishes the various segments of the public higher
education system in the state. These segments include the University
of California, which is administered by the Regents of the
University of California, the California State University, which is
administered by the Trustees of the California State University, and
the California Community Colleges, which is administered by the Board
of Governors of the California Community Colleges.
   This bill would require that by January 1, 2014, and every 2 years
thereafter, the Trustees of the California State University and the
Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, and request
the Regents of the University of California,  to 
report to the Legislature on workload and key performance data on
distance learning courses, as defined. This bill would, by February
1, 2012, also require the Legislative Analyst's Office to convene a
 task force   work group  composed of 
the Legislative Analyst,  specified  members 
 staff  of the Legislature  ,  and  members
of the administration to identify the steps needed  
the Department of Finance to evaluate whether it is necessary, or
advisable,  to establish the Western Governors University,
California. The  task force   work group 
would be required to consult with representatives of the University
of California, the California State University, the California
Community Colleges,  and  the California
Postsecondary Education Commission  , independent California
colleges and universities, and the Western Association of Schools and
Colleges . The  task force   work group
 would, by February 1, 2013, be required to report 
their   its  findings and recommendations to the
Legislature. These provisions would be repealed on January 1, 2018.
   The bill would state the intent of the Legislature relating to the
Western Governors University, California, as a degree-granting
institution that is self-supporting and does not receive state
funding.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 66942 is added to the Education Code, to read:
   66942.  (a) For purposes of 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 a majority of the instructional content
delivered when faculty and students are in different locations and
instruction is delivered through the use of technology.
   (b) (1) By January 1, 2014, and every two years thereafter, the
Trustees of the California State University and the Board of
Governors of the California Community Colleges shall, and the Regents
of the University of California are requested to, report to the
Legislature on workload and key performance data on distance learning
courses, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
   (A) The number of students enrolled in a distance learning course
at each campus, categorized by type of delivery method for the
distance learning course.
   (B) Completion rates for distance learning courses.
   (C) Program completion rates for degree programs that include
exclusively distance learning courses.
   (2) Student enrollment and completion rate data included in a
report to be submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be made
available by demographics such as age, gender, and ethnicity.
   (c) (1) By February 1, 2012, the Legislative Analyst shall convene
a  task force composed of members of the Legislature,
members of the administration, and representatives of the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges to identify the steps needed
  work group composed of the Legislative Analyst,
education policy and fiscal staff of the Legislature, and the
Department of Finance to evaluate whether it is necessary, or
advisable,  to establish the Western Governors University,
California. The  task force   work group 
shall consult with representatives of the University of California,
the California State University, the California Community Colleges,
 and  the California Postsecondary Education
Commission  , independent California colleges and universities,
and the Western Association of   Schools and Colleges 
.
   (2) It is the intent of the Legislature that the  task
force   work group  evaluate the establishment of
the Western Governors University, California, as a degree-granting
institution that is self-supporting and that does not receive state
funding. This provision is not intended to preclude the  task
force   work group  from evaluating the Western
Governors University, California, as a potential qualifying
institution for the purposes of California's student financial aid
programs.
   (3) By February 1, 2013, the  task force  
work group  convened pursuant to this subdivision shall report
to the  relevant policy and fiscal committees of the 
Legislature on the findings and recommendations of the  task
force   work group  .
   (d) (1) All reports to be submitted pursuant to this section shall
be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

   (2) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this
section is repealed on January 1, 2018.