Serving Students, Serving California: Updating the California Community Colleges to Meet Evolving Demands

Report #210, February 2012
Serving Students, Serving California: Updating the California Community Colleges to Meet Evolving Demands

Full Report

Executive Summary

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2012

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Commission Calls for Focus on Student Outcomes at Community Colleges

The Little Hoover Commission on Tuesday urged the Governor and the Legislature to refocus the mission of the community colleges to align policies and resources around fostering student achievement in three core areas: basic skills education, career technical education and preparation for transfer to four-year universities. The Commission also called for the state to consolidate responsibility and funding for California’s adult education programs within the community college system to maintain educational options for all levels of adult learners.

In its report, Serving Students, Serving California: Updating the California Community Colleges to Meet Evolving Demands, the Commission found that the community colleges have opened doors to people who want to improve the quality of their lives by earning more income, building skills to run a business, excelling in careers, being better parents, or taking another chance to realize their dreams and fulfill their potential. Yet, the Commission found that in trying to be all things to everyone, community colleges are coming up short for many.

In this study, the Commission found that the state lacks a clear, uniform set of goals for its community college system and campuses. Too many students leave without accomplishing what they set out to achieve, whether learning new job skills or completing a certificate or degree program. Too many are unprepared for college-level work and do not receive adequate guidance to help them make up their educational deficits. At the same time, many students are hobbled in their progress by system policies that encourage campuses to increase enrollment at the expense of the services and supports that can help students move through the system and on with their lives. The result is that community colleges are rationing access, but not in a rational way, putting students on waiting lists who are prepared to succeed at college-level work. In making its recommendations, the Commission envisions a system that asks more of students, but asks more of colleges as well in supporting students and helping them move up and out of the system.

“California’s community colleges hold so much promise, but are limited by the way the system is funded, by the design of the leadership structure, by outdated practices for setting policy and goals,” Little Hoover Commission Chairman Daniel Hancock said. “The colleges are in an ideal position to help those who want to improve their lives, and through their success, better meet the state’s workforce needs – now and in the future.”

“Making strategic changes to the leadership and funding of California’s community colleges, as well as to the measures used to guide students, can position the colleges to help close this gap and help ensure the system continues to provide an open door for those who want to better their lives,” Chairman Hancock said.

In the report, the Commission’s recommendations align with those made recently by the Student Success Task Force, but go further in certain areas:

The state should make student success in three areas its primary goal for community colleges. These areas are: basic skills education, career technical education and preparation for transfer to four-year institutions. The system should build policies around supporting these goals by requiring students to participate in activities that have be shown to bolster student success, such as required orientation and skills assessment. Students should be given enrollment priority based on whether they have completed an education plan, whether that plan is built around learning a single focused skill need to advance in their career, or to earn a certificate or degree. Priority also should be given to returning students who demonstrate progress toward their goals and those returning to school to renew job skills. Colleges should encourage students to stay committed to their goals by capping the number of credits that can be taken at state-subsidized tuition rates, by linking eligibility for fee waivers to maintaining a minimum grade point average, and by charging the full cost of a course to students who enroll solely for personal enrichment.

The state should update the community college system governance structure by giving more authority and independence to the Office of the Chancellor to develop strategies and incentives that can drive student and college performance. The chancellor’s office should be moved out of the executive branch of state government and established as a separate entity that can establish policy directives, create accountability measures, direct funding, oversee community college districts, and, when necessary, intervene in district affairs. Districts should be given more flexibility in how they deploy resources, while being held accountable for results, and given more freedom to coordinate regionally.

The state should allocate funding in predictable and appropriate ways to encourage student success, and focus spending in ways that facilitate students’ success, such as creating incentives for improved student outcomes. The state must amend the funding formula so that it rewards student progress and achievement. The formula must reward colleges whose students attain milestones known to lead to success, or whose students achieve certain basic skills goals or earn certificates or degrees. Further, colleges should be given more flexibility in spending, so they may allocate more money to the kinds of counseling services that help students develop educational plans and make progress.

The state should shift all adult basic education programs and related funding to community colleges. Responsibility for Adult School programs currently operated by K-12 school districts should be shifted to the community college system to stem the erosion of the state’s capacity to serve the adults who need these programs. Money previously allocated for these programs through categorical funding should be transferred as well to community college districts to support these programs. Community colleges have a direct stake in the success of these adult learners and, as the examples of the community collegedirected adult programs in San Francisco and San Diego have shown, many of these students can go on to success in college-level coursework.

The Little Hoover Commission is a bipartisan and independent state agency charged with recommending ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state programs. The Commission’s recommendations are submitted to the Governor and the Legislature for their consideration and action. For a copy of the report, visit the Commission’s Web site: www.lhc.ca.gov.

Fact Sheet

Study Description

For this study, the Commission reviewed California’s community college system. California’s community college system is the nation’s largest higher education system, responsible for providing basic skills education, workforce training, and preparation for transfer to 4-year universities, as well as vocational and life-long learning opportunities. The community college system plays a critical role in training the state’s future workforce, and is under increasing pressure from declining budgets and growing demand. The Commission studied how the community college system’s governance structure and financing are aligned to serve its multifaceted mission, and make recommendations for improvement, if warranted.

When the Commission last reviewed the state’s community college system in 2000, it found enormous potential in the state’s community colleges’ ability to meet individual and community needs, but also identified some barriers. The Commission recommended a number of measures to strengthen community colleges’ ability to reach that potential, including improving teacher quality, ensuring universal access, realigning funding to drive student success and strengthening the governance of the community college system. 

In its 1986 study, the Commission reviewed the adequacy of financial accountability for the community college system and made a number of recommendations to improve the organization, management and financial accountability of the system.


Previous Studies:

Agenda

Overview

In this report, the Commission urges the Governor and the Legislature to refocus the mission of the community colleges to align policies and resources around fostering student achievement in three core areas: basic skills education, career technical education and preparation for transfer to four-year universities. The Commission also calls for the state to consolidate responsibility and funding for California’s adult education programs within the community college system to maintain educational options for all levels of adult learners.

During its review, the Commission found that the state’s policies ration access because of an outdated funding mechanism that emphasizes enrollment and does not consider completion.

The Commission urged the state to give the Board of Governors and Chancellor more authority to set goals and to create incentives to drive student success in developing basic skills, career technical education, and transferring to four-year institutions.

Print Agenda
  • October 24
    2011
    California's Community College System
    2:30 p.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level, 925 L
    Subcommittee Meeting
    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    October 10, 2011

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Monday, October 24, 2011, the California Community College System Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission has scheduled a meeting to discuss what it has learned from the Commission’s public hearings and meetings on the community college system. The meeting will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento, California.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown, executive director, at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Monday, October 17, 2011.

  • October 7
    2011
    California's Community College System
    1:30 p.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level, 925 L
    Subcommittee Meeting
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Subcommittee Meeting on California's Community College System
    Friday, October 7, 2011, 1:30 to 4:15 p.m.
    Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level
    925 L Street, Sacramento, CA 


    Meeting Goal: Bring together a small group of experts to brief Commissioners on community college finance policy and discuss current reform proposals.

    1:30 – 1:40 p.m.

    Welcome and Opening Remarks
    Marilyn Brewer, Subcommittee Chair, Little Hoover Commission 

    Commission Study Process
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director, Little Hoover Commission

    Introductions
    All

    1:40 – 3:30 p.m.

    Briefing and Discussion

    • The current laws and regulations that comprise community college finance policy.
       
    • The strengths and drawbacks of the current finance model.
       
    • Proposals to reform community college finance policy.
       

    3:30 – 3:35 p.m.

    Break

    3:35 – 4:15 p.m.

    Discussion Commissioners

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    September 23, 2011

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Friday, October 7, 2011, the California Community College System Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission has scheduled a meeting to learn about community college finance policy in California. The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located in the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento, California.

    Following the subcommittee meeting, Commissioners will take a short break then will reconvene briefly to discuss what it has learned from the Commission’s public hearings and meetings on the community college system.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown, executive director, at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Friday, September 30, 2011.

  • August 24
    2011
    California's Community College System
    1:30 p.m., Library and Courts Building II, Room 340, 900 N Street,
    Advisory Committee Meeting
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Advisory Committee Meeting on California's Community College System
    Wednesday, August 24, 2011, at 1:30 p.m.
    Library and Courts II, Room 340
    900 N Street, Sacramento, CA


    Meeting Goal: Gather input and expertise from external stakeholders about ways to improve the governance, finance and accountability of the community college system.

    1:30 – 1:40 p.m.

    Welcome and Introductions
    Marilyn Brewer, Subcommittee Chair, Little Hoover Commission

    1:40 – 1:45 p.m.

    Commission Study Process and Advisory Committee Role
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director, Little Hoover Commission

    1:45 – 3:30 p.m.

    Discussion: 

    • Governance
       
    • Statutes and Regulations
       
    • Finance
       
    • Basic Skills
       

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the discussion. Please notify Commission staff if you would like to make a comment.

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    August 10, 2011

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Wednesday, August 24, 2011, the California Community College System Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will hold an advisory committee meeting to hear from external stakeholders about ways to improve community college governance and accountability. The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. in Room 340 of the Library and Courts II Building located at 900 N Street, in Sacramento.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown, executive director, at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Wednesday, August 17, 2011.

  • June 23
    2011
    California's Community College System
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on California's Community College System
    Thursday, June 23, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. 
    State Capitol, Room 437
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks

    Overview of California Adult Education Programs

    1. Patrick Ainsworth, Assistant Superintendent, California Department of Education (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Debra Jones, Administrator of the Adult Education Office, California Department of Education (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Barry Russell, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (Written Testimony)
       

    Piloting Best Practices in the Community College System

    1. Linda Collins, Executive Director, Career Ladders Project for California Community Colleges (Written Testimony)
       

    Integrated Basic Skills Education Programs in the Community College System

    1. Constance Carroll, Chancellor, San Diego Community College District (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Anthony Beebe, President of San Diego Community College District Continuing Education (Written Testimony, Attachment)
       
    3. Leslie Smith, Associate Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations, City College of San Francisco (Written Testimony)
       

    Adult Basic Skills Education Partnerships

    1. Paul Downs, ALLIES Network consultant, PDC Consulting  (Written Testimony)
      Mr. Downs will be accompanied by Lionel de Maine, Chief Operations Officer, Sequoia Adult School (Written Testimony) and Jennifer Castello, Professor, Cañada College (Written Testimony)
       

    Comments Submitted by Members of the Public

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 9, 2011

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, June 23, 2011, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s community college system. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    In this study, the Commission is exploring how the California community college system as currently structured helps or hinders its ability to meet its mission and to explore whether another structure could result in better outcomes, improved efficiencies in employing scarce resources, and greater accountability for results.

    At this hearing, the Commission will evaluate the role of basic skills education in the state’s community college system. The Commission will hear an overview of California’s adult education programs from the vice chancellor of academic affairs in the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and both the assistant superintendent and the administrator in charge of the Adult Education Office in the California Department of Education. The executive director of the Career Ladders Project will discuss best practices from a number of pilot programs in the community college system. The Commission also will hear about integrated basic skills programs in the San Diego and San Francisco community college districts. Finally, Commissioners will hear from members of a collaborative effort to coordinate basic skills English language programs between adult schools and community colleges in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.

    Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, June 16, 2011.

  • June 22
    2011
    California's Community College System
    2:00 p.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level, 925 L
    Advisory Committee Meeting
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Advisory Committee Meeting on California's Community College System
    Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at 2:00 p.m.
    Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level
    925 L Street, Sacramento, CA


    Meeting Goals: To discuss with current and former community college trustees ways to improve community college system governance and accountability and to explore local district finance functions.

    2:00 – 2:10 p.m.

    Welcome and Introduction 
    Subcommittee Chair Marilyn Brewer and Executive Director Stuart Drown

    2:10 – 4:00 p.m.

    Discussion:

    • Governance – The role of district trustees in the shared community college governance structure.
       
    • Accountability – Leadership accountability mechanisms at each level of system governance.
       
    • Local District Finance – The evolution of financial duties and responsibilities of district trustees and chief executive officers since the passage of Proposition 13.
       

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the discussion. Please notify Commission staff if you would like to make a comment.

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 8, 2011

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    The California Community College System Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission has scheduled a meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 to discuss issues of community college governance, accountability and local district finance functions with members of the community college districts’ local governing boards. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located in the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento, California.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown, executive director, at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Wednesday, June 15, 2011.

  • April 28
    2011
    California's Community College System
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on California's Community College System
    Thursday, April 28, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. 
    State Capitol, Room 437
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks

    Thoughts on Regional Governance

    1. Benjamin Duran, President, Central Valley Higher Education Consortium; Superintendent and President, Merced College (Written Testimony)
       

    Student Perspectives

    1. Alex Pader, President, Student Senate for California Community Colleges; Student, American River College (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Noah Golinko, Student, American River College


    Administrative Viewpoints

    1. Brice Harris, Chancellor, Los Rios Community College District (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Ronald Galatolo, Chancellor and Superintendent, San Mateo Community College District (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Gregory Gray, Chancellor, Riverside Community College District (Written Testimony)
      ​​​​​​​

    Thoughts on Governance and Leadership

    1. David Wolf, Executive Director Emeritus, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Written Testimony)
      ​​​​​​​

    Faculty Perspectives

    1. Jane Patton, President, Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (Written Testimony)
      ​​​​​​​

    Public Comments

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    April 14, 2011

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, April 28, 2011, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s community college system. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    In this study, the Commission will explore how priorities are set among the California community college system’s various missions and will review the system governance structure as well as the state’s community college finance mechanisms to identify ways to make the system as a whole more efficient in employing scarce resources, more focused on outcomes and more accountable for results. Based on the Commission’s findings, the Commission will issue recommendations, if warranted, to improve efficiency, accountability and transparency in the community college system.

    At this hearing, the Commission will examine the system’s governance structure in greater detail and assess the levers that are used to guide the community colleges. The Commission will hear from two students from American River College, one of whom also is the president of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges. Additionally, the Commission will hear from the president of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges and three chancellors from the Los Rios, San Mateo and Riverside Community College Districts. The Commission also will hear from the president of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium and the executive director emeritus of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.

    Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, April 21, 2011.

  • February 24
    2011
    California's Community College System
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on California's Community College System
    Thursday, February 24, 2011, at 9:00 a.m.
    State Capitol, Room 437
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks

    California's Community College System, By the Numbers

    1. Nancy Shulock, Executive Director, Institute for Higher Education Leadership and Policy (Written Testimony)
       

    Statewide Perspectives on Mission, Governance and Finance

    1. Jack Scott, Chancellor, California Community Colleges (Written Testimony)


    Local Perspectives on Mission, Governance and Finance

    1. Eloy Oakley, Superintendent and President, Long Beach Community College District (Written Testimony)
       
    2. William Scroggins, Superintendent and President, College of the Sequoias (Written Testimony)
      ​​​​​​​

    Ideas for Reform

    1. William Pickens, former Director, California Citizens Commission on Higher Education (Written Testimony)
      ​​​​​​​

    Public Comments

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    February 10, 2011

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, February 24, 2011, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on the California community college system. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    In this study, the Commission will review the governance structure of California’s community college system as well as the state’s community college finance mechanisms to understand how well the system is meeting its multifaceted mission. Through the study, the Commission also seeks to understand how the system sets priorities among its various goals in meeting its mission and will explore models and best practices from other states. Based on the Commission’s findings, the Commission will issue recommendations, if warranted, to improve efficiency, accountability and transparency in the community college system.

    At this hearing, the Commission will explore the scope of the system’s multiple missions and discuss how the current governance and finance structure of the California community college system help or hinder its ability to meet its mission. The Commission will hear from the current chancellor of the system, the executive director of the Institute for Higher Education Leadership and Policy, two college presidents from the Long Beach Community College District and the College of the Sequoias and the former staff director of the California Citizens Commission on Higher Education.

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, February 17, 2011.

October 24
2011
California's Community College System
2:30 p.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level, 925 L Street, Sacramento, CA
Subcommittee Meeting
Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2011

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Monday, October 24, 2011, the California Community College System Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission has scheduled a meeting to discuss what it has learned from the Commission’s public hearings and meetings on the community college system. The meeting will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento, California.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown, executive director, at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Monday, October 17, 2011.

October 7
2011
California's Community College System
1:30 p.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level, 925 L Street, Sacramento, CA
Subcommittee Meeting
Agenda

AGENDA

Subcommittee Meeting on California's Community College System
Friday, October 7, 2011, 1:30 to 4:15 p.m.
Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level
925 L Street, Sacramento, CA 


Meeting Goal: Bring together a small group of experts to brief Commissioners on community college finance policy and discuss current reform proposals.

1:30 – 1:40 p.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks
Marilyn Brewer, Subcommittee Chair, Little Hoover Commission 

Commission Study Process
Stuart Drown, Executive Director, Little Hoover Commission

Introductions
All

1:40 – 3:30 p.m.

Briefing and Discussion

  • The current laws and regulations that comprise community college finance policy.
     
  • The strengths and drawbacks of the current finance model.
     
  • Proposals to reform community college finance policy.
     

3:30 – 3:35 p.m.

Break

3:35 – 4:15 p.m.

Discussion Commissioners

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2011

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Friday, October 7, 2011, the California Community College System Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission has scheduled a meeting to learn about community college finance policy in California. The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located in the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento, California.

Following the subcommittee meeting, Commissioners will take a short break then will reconvene briefly to discuss what it has learned from the Commission’s public hearings and meetings on the community college system.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown, executive director, at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Friday, September 30, 2011.

August 24
2011
California's Community College System
1:30 p.m., Library and Courts Building II, Room 340, 900 N Street, Sacramento, CA
Advisory Committee Meeting
Agenda

AGENDA

Advisory Committee Meeting on California's Community College System
Wednesday, August 24, 2011, at 1:30 p.m.
Library and Courts II, Room 340
900 N Street, Sacramento, CA


Meeting Goal: Gather input and expertise from external stakeholders about ways to improve the governance, finance and accountability of the community college system.

1:30 – 1:40 p.m.

Welcome and Introductions
Marilyn Brewer, Subcommittee Chair, Little Hoover Commission

1:40 – 1:45 p.m.

Commission Study Process and Advisory Committee Role
Stuart Drown, Executive Director, Little Hoover Commission

1:45 – 3:30 p.m.

Discussion: 

  • Governance
     
  • Statutes and Regulations
     
  • Finance
     
  • Basic Skills
     

There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the discussion. Please notify Commission staff if you would like to make a comment.

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2011

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Wednesday, August 24, 2011, the California Community College System Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will hold an advisory committee meeting to hear from external stakeholders about ways to improve community college governance and accountability. The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. in Room 340 of the Library and Courts II Building located at 900 N Street, in Sacramento.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown, executive director, at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Wednesday, August 17, 2011.

June 23
2011
California's Community College System
9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on California's Community College System
Thursday, June 23, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. 
State Capitol, Room 437
Sacramento, CA


Opening Remarks

Overview of California Adult Education Programs

  1. Patrick Ainsworth, Assistant Superintendent, California Department of Education (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Debra Jones, Administrator of the Adult Education Office, California Department of Education (Written Testimony)
     
  3. Barry Russell, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (Written Testimony)
     

Piloting Best Practices in the Community College System

  1. Linda Collins, Executive Director, Career Ladders Project for California Community Colleges (Written Testimony)
     

Integrated Basic Skills Education Programs in the Community College System

  1. Constance Carroll, Chancellor, San Diego Community College District (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Anthony Beebe, President of San Diego Community College District Continuing Education (Written Testimony, Attachment)
     
  3. Leslie Smith, Associate Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations, City College of San Francisco (Written Testimony)
     

Adult Basic Skills Education Partnerships

  1. Paul Downs, ALLIES Network consultant, PDC Consulting  (Written Testimony)
    Mr. Downs will be accompanied by Lionel de Maine, Chief Operations Officer, Sequoia Adult School (Written Testimony) and Jennifer Castello, Professor, Cañada College (Written Testimony)
     

Comments Submitted by Members of the Public

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2011

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Thursday, June 23, 2011, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s community college system. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

In this study, the Commission is exploring how the California community college system as currently structured helps or hinders its ability to meet its mission and to explore whether another structure could result in better outcomes, improved efficiencies in employing scarce resources, and greater accountability for results.

At this hearing, the Commission will evaluate the role of basic skills education in the state’s community college system. The Commission will hear an overview of California’s adult education programs from the vice chancellor of academic affairs in the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and both the assistant superintendent and the administrator in charge of the Adult Education Office in the California Department of Education. The executive director of the Career Ladders Project will discuss best practices from a number of pilot programs in the community college system. The Commission also will hear about integrated basic skills programs in the San Diego and San Francisco community college districts. Finally, Commissioners will hear from members of a collaborative effort to coordinate basic skills English language programs between adult schools and community colleges in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.

Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, June 16, 2011.

June 22
2011
California's Community College System
2:00 p.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level, 925 L Street, Sacramento, CA
Advisory Committee Meeting
Agenda

AGENDA

Advisory Committee Meeting on California's Community College System
Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at 2:00 p.m.
Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level
925 L Street, Sacramento, CA


Meeting Goals: To discuss with current and former community college trustees ways to improve community college system governance and accountability and to explore local district finance functions.

2:00 – 2:10 p.m.

Welcome and Introduction 
Subcommittee Chair Marilyn Brewer and Executive Director Stuart Drown

2:10 – 4:00 p.m.

Discussion:

  • Governance – The role of district trustees in the shared community college governance structure.
     
  • Accountability – Leadership accountability mechanisms at each level of system governance.
     
  • Local District Finance – The evolution of financial duties and responsibilities of district trustees and chief executive officers since the passage of Proposition 13.
     

There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the discussion. Please notify Commission staff if you would like to make a comment.

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2011

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

The California Community College System Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission has scheduled a meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 to discuss issues of community college governance, accountability and local district finance functions with members of the community college districts’ local governing boards. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located in the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento, California.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown, executive director, at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Wednesday, June 15, 2011.

April 28
2011
California's Community College System
9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on California's Community College System
Thursday, April 28, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. 
State Capitol, Room 437
Sacramento, CA


Opening Remarks

Thoughts on Regional Governance

  1. Benjamin Duran, President, Central Valley Higher Education Consortium; Superintendent and President, Merced College (Written Testimony)
     

Student Perspectives

  1. Alex Pader, President, Student Senate for California Community Colleges; Student, American River College (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Noah Golinko, Student, American River College


Administrative Viewpoints

  1. Brice Harris, Chancellor, Los Rios Community College District (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Ronald Galatolo, Chancellor and Superintendent, San Mateo Community College District (Written Testimony)
     
  3. Gregory Gray, Chancellor, Riverside Community College District (Written Testimony)
    ​​​​​​​

Thoughts on Governance and Leadership

  1. David Wolf, Executive Director Emeritus, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Written Testimony)
    ​​​​​​​

Faculty Perspectives

  1. Jane Patton, President, Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (Written Testimony)
    ​​​​​​​

Public Comments

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2011

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Thursday, April 28, 2011, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s community college system. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

In this study, the Commission will explore how priorities are set among the California community college system’s various missions and will review the system governance structure as well as the state’s community college finance mechanisms to identify ways to make the system as a whole more efficient in employing scarce resources, more focused on outcomes and more accountable for results. Based on the Commission’s findings, the Commission will issue recommendations, if warranted, to improve efficiency, accountability and transparency in the community college system.

At this hearing, the Commission will examine the system’s governance structure in greater detail and assess the levers that are used to guide the community colleges. The Commission will hear from two students from American River College, one of whom also is the president of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges. Additionally, the Commission will hear from the president of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges and three chancellors from the Los Rios, San Mateo and Riverside Community College Districts. The Commission also will hear from the president of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium and the executive director emeritus of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.

Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, April 21, 2011.

February 24
2011
California's Community College System
9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on California's Community College System
Thursday, February 24, 2011, at 9:00 a.m.
State Capitol, Room 437
Sacramento, CA


Opening Remarks

California's Community College System, By the Numbers

  1. Nancy Shulock, Executive Director, Institute for Higher Education Leadership and Policy (Written Testimony)
     

Statewide Perspectives on Mission, Governance and Finance

  1. Jack Scott, Chancellor, California Community Colleges (Written Testimony)


Local Perspectives on Mission, Governance and Finance

  1. Eloy Oakley, Superintendent and President, Long Beach Community College District (Written Testimony)
     
  2. William Scroggins, Superintendent and President, College of the Sequoias (Written Testimony)
    ​​​​​​​

Ideas for Reform

  1. William Pickens, former Director, California Citizens Commission on Higher Education (Written Testimony)
    ​​​​​​​

Public Comments

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2011

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Thursday, February 24, 2011, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on the California community college system. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

In this study, the Commission will review the governance structure of California’s community college system as well as the state’s community college finance mechanisms to understand how well the system is meeting its multifaceted mission. Through the study, the Commission also seeks to understand how the system sets priorities among its various goals in meeting its mission and will explore models and best practices from other states. Based on the Commission’s findings, the Commission will issue recommendations, if warranted, to improve efficiency, accountability and transparency in the community college system.

At this hearing, the Commission will explore the scope of the system’s multiple missions and discuss how the current governance and finance structure of the California community college system help or hinder its ability to meet its mission. The Commission will hear from the current chancellor of the system, the executive director of the Institute for Higher Education Leadership and Policy, two college presidents from the Long Beach Community College District and the College of the Sequoias and the former staff director of the California Citizens Commission on Higher Education.

There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, February 17, 2011.

Print Agenda
  • October 24
    2011
    California's Community College System
    2:30 p.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level, 925 L
    Subcommittee Meeting
    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    October 10, 2011

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Monday, October 24, 2011, the California Community College System Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission has scheduled a meeting to discuss what it has learned from the Commission’s public hearings and meetings on the community college system. The meeting will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento, California.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown, executive director, at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Monday, October 17, 2011.

  • October 7
    2011
    California's Community College System
    1:30 p.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level, 925 L
    Subcommittee Meeting
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Subcommittee Meeting on California's Community College System
    Friday, October 7, 2011, 1:30 to 4:15 p.m.
    Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level
    925 L Street, Sacramento, CA 


    Meeting Goal: Bring together a small group of experts to brief Commissioners on community college finance policy and discuss current reform proposals.

    1:30 – 1:40 p.m.

    Welcome and Opening Remarks
    Marilyn Brewer, Subcommittee Chair, Little Hoover Commission 

    Commission Study Process
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director, Little Hoover Commission

    Introductions
    All

    1:40 – 3:30 p.m.

    Briefing and Discussion

    • The current laws and regulations that comprise community college finance policy.
       
    • The strengths and drawbacks of the current finance model.
       
    • Proposals to reform community college finance policy.
       

    3:30 – 3:35 p.m.

    Break

    3:35 – 4:15 p.m.

    Discussion Commissioners

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    September 23, 2011

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Friday, October 7, 2011, the California Community College System Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission has scheduled a meeting to learn about community college finance policy in California. The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located in the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento, California.

    Following the subcommittee meeting, Commissioners will take a short break then will reconvene briefly to discuss what it has learned from the Commission’s public hearings and meetings on the community college system.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown, executive director, at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Friday, September 30, 2011.

  • August 24
    2011
    California's Community College System
    1:30 p.m., Library and Courts Building II, Room 340, 900 N Street,
    Advisory Committee Meeting
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Advisory Committee Meeting on California's Community College System
    Wednesday, August 24, 2011, at 1:30 p.m.
    Library and Courts II, Room 340
    900 N Street, Sacramento, CA


    Meeting Goal: Gather input and expertise from external stakeholders about ways to improve the governance, finance and accountability of the community college system.

    1:30 – 1:40 p.m.

    Welcome and Introductions
    Marilyn Brewer, Subcommittee Chair, Little Hoover Commission

    1:40 – 1:45 p.m.

    Commission Study Process and Advisory Committee Role
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director, Little Hoover Commission

    1:45 – 3:30 p.m.

    Discussion: 

    • Governance
       
    • Statutes and Regulations
       
    • Finance
       
    • Basic Skills
       

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the discussion. Please notify Commission staff if you would like to make a comment.

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    August 10, 2011

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Wednesday, August 24, 2011, the California Community College System Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will hold an advisory committee meeting to hear from external stakeholders about ways to improve community college governance and accountability. The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. in Room 340 of the Library and Courts II Building located at 900 N Street, in Sacramento.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown, executive director, at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Wednesday, August 17, 2011.

  • June 23
    2011
    California's Community College System
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on California's Community College System
    Thursday, June 23, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. 
    State Capitol, Room 437
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks

    Overview of California Adult Education Programs

    1. Patrick Ainsworth, Assistant Superintendent, California Department of Education (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Debra Jones, Administrator of the Adult Education Office, California Department of Education (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Barry Russell, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (Written Testimony)
       

    Piloting Best Practices in the Community College System

    1. Linda Collins, Executive Director, Career Ladders Project for California Community Colleges (Written Testimony)
       

    Integrated Basic Skills Education Programs in the Community College System

    1. Constance Carroll, Chancellor, San Diego Community College District (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Anthony Beebe, President of San Diego Community College District Continuing Education (Written Testimony, Attachment)
       
    3. Leslie Smith, Associate Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations, City College of San Francisco (Written Testimony)
       

    Adult Basic Skills Education Partnerships

    1. Paul Downs, ALLIES Network consultant, PDC Consulting  (Written Testimony)
      Mr. Downs will be accompanied by Lionel de Maine, Chief Operations Officer, Sequoia Adult School (Written Testimony) and Jennifer Castello, Professor, Cañada College (Written Testimony)
       

    Comments Submitted by Members of the Public

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 9, 2011

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, June 23, 2011, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s community college system. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    In this study, the Commission is exploring how the California community college system as currently structured helps or hinders its ability to meet its mission and to explore whether another structure could result in better outcomes, improved efficiencies in employing scarce resources, and greater accountability for results.

    At this hearing, the Commission will evaluate the role of basic skills education in the state’s community college system. The Commission will hear an overview of California’s adult education programs from the vice chancellor of academic affairs in the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and both the assistant superintendent and the administrator in charge of the Adult Education Office in the California Department of Education. The executive director of the Career Ladders Project will discuss best practices from a number of pilot programs in the community college system. The Commission also will hear about integrated basic skills programs in the San Diego and San Francisco community college districts. Finally, Commissioners will hear from members of a collaborative effort to coordinate basic skills English language programs between adult schools and community colleges in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.

    Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, June 16, 2011.

  • June 22
    2011
    California's Community College System
    2:00 p.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level, 925 L
    Advisory Committee Meeting
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Advisory Committee Meeting on California's Community College System
    Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at 2:00 p.m.
    Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level
    925 L Street, Sacramento, CA


    Meeting Goals: To discuss with current and former community college trustees ways to improve community college system governance and accountability and to explore local district finance functions.

    2:00 – 2:10 p.m.

    Welcome and Introduction 
    Subcommittee Chair Marilyn Brewer and Executive Director Stuart Drown

    2:10 – 4:00 p.m.

    Discussion:

    • Governance – The role of district trustees in the shared community college governance structure.
       
    • Accountability – Leadership accountability mechanisms at each level of system governance.
       
    • Local District Finance – The evolution of financial duties and responsibilities of district trustees and chief executive officers since the passage of Proposition 13.
       

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the discussion. Please notify Commission staff if you would like to make a comment.

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 8, 2011

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    The California Community College System Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission has scheduled a meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 to discuss issues of community college governance, accountability and local district finance functions with members of the community college districts’ local governing boards. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located in the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento, California.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown, executive director, at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Wednesday, June 15, 2011.

  • April 28
    2011
    California's Community College System
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on California's Community College System
    Thursday, April 28, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. 
    State Capitol, Room 437
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks

    Thoughts on Regional Governance

    1. Benjamin Duran, President, Central Valley Higher Education Consortium; Superintendent and President, Merced College (Written Testimony)
       

    Student Perspectives

    1. Alex Pader, President, Student Senate for California Community Colleges; Student, American River College (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Noah Golinko, Student, American River College


    Administrative Viewpoints

    1. Brice Harris, Chancellor, Los Rios Community College District (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Ronald Galatolo, Chancellor and Superintendent, San Mateo Community College District (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Gregory Gray, Chancellor, Riverside Community College District (Written Testimony)
      ​​​​​​​

    Thoughts on Governance and Leadership

    1. David Wolf, Executive Director Emeritus, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Written Testimony)
      ​​​​​​​

    Faculty Perspectives

    1. Jane Patton, President, Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (Written Testimony)
      ​​​​​​​

    Public Comments

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    April 14, 2011

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, April 28, 2011, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s community college system. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    In this study, the Commission will explore how priorities are set among the California community college system’s various missions and will review the system governance structure as well as the state’s community college finance mechanisms to identify ways to make the system as a whole more efficient in employing scarce resources, more focused on outcomes and more accountable for results. Based on the Commission’s findings, the Commission will issue recommendations, if warranted, to improve efficiency, accountability and transparency in the community college system.

    At this hearing, the Commission will examine the system’s governance structure in greater detail and assess the levers that are used to guide the community colleges. The Commission will hear from two students from American River College, one of whom also is the president of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges. Additionally, the Commission will hear from the president of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges and three chancellors from the Los Rios, San Mateo and Riverside Community College Districts. The Commission also will hear from the president of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium and the executive director emeritus of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.

    Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, April 21, 2011.

  • February 24
    2011
    California's Community College System
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on California's Community College System
    Thursday, February 24, 2011, at 9:00 a.m.
    State Capitol, Room 437
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks

    California's Community College System, By the Numbers

    1. Nancy Shulock, Executive Director, Institute for Higher Education Leadership and Policy (Written Testimony)
       

    Statewide Perspectives on Mission, Governance and Finance

    1. Jack Scott, Chancellor, California Community Colleges (Written Testimony)


    Local Perspectives on Mission, Governance and Finance

    1. Eloy Oakley, Superintendent and President, Long Beach Community College District (Written Testimony)
       
    2. William Scroggins, Superintendent and President, College of the Sequoias (Written Testimony)
      ​​​​​​​

    Ideas for Reform

    1. William Pickens, former Director, California Citizens Commission on Higher Education (Written Testimony)
      ​​​​​​​

    Public Comments

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    February 10, 2011

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, February 24, 2011, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on the California community college system. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    In this study, the Commission will review the governance structure of California’s community college system as well as the state’s community college finance mechanisms to understand how well the system is meeting its multifaceted mission. Through the study, the Commission also seeks to understand how the system sets priorities among its various goals in meeting its mission and will explore models and best practices from other states. Based on the Commission’s findings, the Commission will issue recommendations, if warranted, to improve efficiency, accountability and transparency in the community college system.

    At this hearing, the Commission will explore the scope of the system’s multiple missions and discuss how the current governance and finance structure of the California community college system help or hinder its ability to meet its mission. The Commission will hear from the current chancellor of the system, the executive director of the Institute for Higher Education Leadership and Policy, two college presidents from the Long Beach Community College District and the College of the Sequoias and the former staff director of the California Citizens Commission on Higher Education.

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, February 17, 2011.

October 24
2011
California's Community College System
2:30 p.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level, 925 L Street, Sacramento, CA
Subcommittee Meeting
Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2011

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Monday, October 24, 2011, the California Community College System Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission has scheduled a meeting to discuss what it has learned from the Commission’s public hearings and meetings on the community college system. The meeting will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento, California.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown, executive director, at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Monday, October 17, 2011.

October 7
2011
California's Community College System
1:30 p.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level, 925 L Street, Sacramento, CA
Subcommittee Meeting
Agenda

AGENDA

Subcommittee Meeting on California's Community College System
Friday, October 7, 2011, 1:30 to 4:15 p.m.
Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level
925 L Street, Sacramento, CA 


Meeting Goal: Bring together a small group of experts to brief Commissioners on community college finance policy and discuss current reform proposals.

1:30 – 1:40 p.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks
Marilyn Brewer, Subcommittee Chair, Little Hoover Commission 

Commission Study Process
Stuart Drown, Executive Director, Little Hoover Commission

Introductions
All

1:40 – 3:30 p.m.

Briefing and Discussion

  • The current laws and regulations that comprise community college finance policy.
     
  • The strengths and drawbacks of the current finance model.
     
  • Proposals to reform community college finance policy.
     

3:30 – 3:35 p.m.

Break

3:35 – 4:15 p.m.

Discussion Commissioners

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2011

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Friday, October 7, 2011, the California Community College System Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission has scheduled a meeting to learn about community college finance policy in California. The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located in the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento, California.

Following the subcommittee meeting, Commissioners will take a short break then will reconvene briefly to discuss what it has learned from the Commission’s public hearings and meetings on the community college system.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown, executive director, at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Friday, September 30, 2011.

August 24
2011
California's Community College System
1:30 p.m., Library and Courts Building II, Room 340, 900 N Street, Sacramento, CA
Advisory Committee Meeting
Agenda

AGENDA

Advisory Committee Meeting on California's Community College System
Wednesday, August 24, 2011, at 1:30 p.m.
Library and Courts II, Room 340
900 N Street, Sacramento, CA


Meeting Goal: Gather input and expertise from external stakeholders about ways to improve the governance, finance and accountability of the community college system.

1:30 – 1:40 p.m.

Welcome and Introductions
Marilyn Brewer, Subcommittee Chair, Little Hoover Commission

1:40 – 1:45 p.m.

Commission Study Process and Advisory Committee Role
Stuart Drown, Executive Director, Little Hoover Commission

1:45 – 3:30 p.m.

Discussion: 

  • Governance
     
  • Statutes and Regulations
     
  • Finance
     
  • Basic Skills
     

There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the discussion. Please notify Commission staff if you would like to make a comment.

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2011

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Wednesday, August 24, 2011, the California Community College System Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will hold an advisory committee meeting to hear from external stakeholders about ways to improve community college governance and accountability. The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. in Room 340 of the Library and Courts II Building located at 900 N Street, in Sacramento.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown, executive director, at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Wednesday, August 17, 2011.

June 23
2011
California's Community College System
9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on California's Community College System
Thursday, June 23, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. 
State Capitol, Room 437
Sacramento, CA


Opening Remarks

Overview of California Adult Education Programs

  1. Patrick Ainsworth, Assistant Superintendent, California Department of Education (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Debra Jones, Administrator of the Adult Education Office, California Department of Education (Written Testimony)
     
  3. Barry Russell, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (Written Testimony)
     

Piloting Best Practices in the Community College System

  1. Linda Collins, Executive Director, Career Ladders Project for California Community Colleges (Written Testimony)
     

Integrated Basic Skills Education Programs in the Community College System

  1. Constance Carroll, Chancellor, San Diego Community College District (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Anthony Beebe, President of San Diego Community College District Continuing Education (Written Testimony, Attachment)
     
  3. Leslie Smith, Associate Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations, City College of San Francisco (Written Testimony)
     

Adult Basic Skills Education Partnerships

  1. Paul Downs, ALLIES Network consultant, PDC Consulting  (Written Testimony)
    Mr. Downs will be accompanied by Lionel de Maine, Chief Operations Officer, Sequoia Adult School (Written Testimony) and Jennifer Castello, Professor, Cañada College (Written Testimony)
     

Comments Submitted by Members of the Public

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2011

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Thursday, June 23, 2011, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s community college system. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

In this study, the Commission is exploring how the California community college system as currently structured helps or hinders its ability to meet its mission and to explore whether another structure could result in better outcomes, improved efficiencies in employing scarce resources, and greater accountability for results.

At this hearing, the Commission will evaluate the role of basic skills education in the state’s community college system. The Commission will hear an overview of California’s adult education programs from the vice chancellor of academic affairs in the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and both the assistant superintendent and the administrator in charge of the Adult Education Office in the California Department of Education. The executive director of the Career Ladders Project will discuss best practices from a number of pilot programs in the community college system. The Commission also will hear about integrated basic skills programs in the San Diego and San Francisco community college districts. Finally, Commissioners will hear from members of a collaborative effort to coordinate basic skills English language programs between adult schools and community colleges in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.

Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, June 16, 2011.

June 22
2011
California's Community College System
2:00 p.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level, 925 L Street, Sacramento, CA
Advisory Committee Meeting
Agenda

AGENDA

Advisory Committee Meeting on California's Community College System
Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at 2:00 p.m.
Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level
925 L Street, Sacramento, CA


Meeting Goals: To discuss with current and former community college trustees ways to improve community college system governance and accountability and to explore local district finance functions.

2:00 – 2:10 p.m.

Welcome and Introduction 
Subcommittee Chair Marilyn Brewer and Executive Director Stuart Drown

2:10 – 4:00 p.m.

Discussion:

  • Governance – The role of district trustees in the shared community college governance structure.
     
  • Accountability – Leadership accountability mechanisms at each level of system governance.
     
  • Local District Finance – The evolution of financial duties and responsibilities of district trustees and chief executive officers since the passage of Proposition 13.
     

There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the discussion. Please notify Commission staff if you would like to make a comment.

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2011

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

The California Community College System Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission has scheduled a meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 to discuss issues of community college governance, accountability and local district finance functions with members of the community college districts’ local governing boards. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located in the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento, California.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown, executive director, at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Wednesday, June 15, 2011.

April 28
2011
California's Community College System
9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on California's Community College System
Thursday, April 28, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. 
State Capitol, Room 437
Sacramento, CA


Opening Remarks

Thoughts on Regional Governance

  1. Benjamin Duran, President, Central Valley Higher Education Consortium; Superintendent and President, Merced College (Written Testimony)
     

Student Perspectives

  1. Alex Pader, President, Student Senate for California Community Colleges; Student, American River College (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Noah Golinko, Student, American River College


Administrative Viewpoints

  1. Brice Harris, Chancellor, Los Rios Community College District (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Ronald Galatolo, Chancellor and Superintendent, San Mateo Community College District (Written Testimony)
     
  3. Gregory Gray, Chancellor, Riverside Community College District (Written Testimony)
    ​​​​​​​

Thoughts on Governance and Leadership

  1. David Wolf, Executive Director Emeritus, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Written Testimony)
    ​​​​​​​

Faculty Perspectives

  1. Jane Patton, President, Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (Written Testimony)
    ​​​​​​​

Public Comments

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2011

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Thursday, April 28, 2011, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s community college system. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

In this study, the Commission will explore how priorities are set among the California community college system’s various missions and will review the system governance structure as well as the state’s community college finance mechanisms to identify ways to make the system as a whole more efficient in employing scarce resources, more focused on outcomes and more accountable for results. Based on the Commission’s findings, the Commission will issue recommendations, if warranted, to improve efficiency, accountability and transparency in the community college system.

At this hearing, the Commission will examine the system’s governance structure in greater detail and assess the levers that are used to guide the community colleges. The Commission will hear from two students from American River College, one of whom also is the president of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges. Additionally, the Commission will hear from the president of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges and three chancellors from the Los Rios, San Mateo and Riverside Community College Districts. The Commission also will hear from the president of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium and the executive director emeritus of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.

Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street in Sacramento.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, April 21, 2011.

February 24
2011
California's Community College System
9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on California's Community College System
Thursday, February 24, 2011, at 9:00 a.m.
State Capitol, Room 437
Sacramento, CA


Opening Remarks

California's Community College System, By the Numbers

  1. Nancy Shulock, Executive Director, Institute for Higher Education Leadership and Policy (Written Testimony)
     

Statewide Perspectives on Mission, Governance and Finance

  1. Jack Scott, Chancellor, California Community Colleges (Written Testimony)


Local Perspectives on Mission, Governance and Finance

  1. Eloy Oakley, Superintendent and President, Long Beach Community College District (Written Testimony)
     
  2. William Scroggins, Superintendent and President, College of the Sequoias (Written Testimony)
    ​​​​​​​

Ideas for Reform

  1. William Pickens, former Director, California Citizens Commission on Higher Education (Written Testimony)
    ​​​​​​​

Public Comments

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2011

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Thursday, February 24, 2011, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on the California community college system. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

In this study, the Commission will review the governance structure of California’s community college system as well as the state’s community college finance mechanisms to understand how well the system is meeting its multifaceted mission. Through the study, the Commission also seeks to understand how the system sets priorities among its various goals in meeting its mission and will explore models and best practices from other states. Based on the Commission’s findings, the Commission will issue recommendations, if warranted, to improve efficiency, accountability and transparency in the community college system.

At this hearing, the Commission will explore the scope of the system’s multiple missions and discuss how the current governance and finance structure of the California community college system help or hinder its ability to meet its mission. The Commission will hear from the current chancellor of the system, the executive director of the Institute for Higher Education Leadership and Policy, two college presidents from the Long Beach Community College District and the College of the Sequoias and the former staff director of the California Citizens Commission on Higher Education.

There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, February 17, 2011.