BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1942
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1942 (Bonta)
As Amended May 23, 2014
Majority vote
HIGHER EDUCATION 9-4 APPROPRIATIONS 12-5
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|Ayes:|Williams, Bloom, Fong, |Ayes:|Gatto, Bocanegra, |
| |Fox, | |Bradford, |
| |Jones-Sawyer, Levine, | |Ian Calderon, Campos, |
| |Medina, Quirk-Silva, | |Eggman, Gomez, Holden, |
| |Weber | |Pan, Quirk, |
| | | |Ridley-Thomas, Weber |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Ch�vez, Linder, Olsen, |Nays:|Bigelow, Donnelly, Jones, |
| |Wilk | |Linder, Wagner |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires the California Community Colleges (CCCs)
Board of Governors (BOG) to review accreditation when
determining compliance with minimum operating conditions for
CCCs to receive state apportionment; requires specified
reporting on accreditation policies and decisions.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires the 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.
2)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.
3)Requires the CCC Chancellor's Office to ensure that the
appropriate policy and budget subcommittees are provided the
aforementioned required information.
AB 1942
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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 (EDC) Code 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
as provided in law (EDC Section 70901);
3)BOG regulations (5 California Code of Regulations (CCR)
Section 51016) require CCC to be accredited by the Accrediting
Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC).
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, minor and absorbable costs to the CCC Chancellor's
Office.
COMMENTS : Background on accreditation. 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
AB 1942
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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).
ACCJC 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.
Purpose of this bill. 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: 0003634