BILL NUMBER: SB 1440	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Padilla
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Fong)

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2010

   An act to add Article 3 (commencing with Section 66745) to Chapter
9.2 of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code,
relating to community colleges.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1440, as introduced, Padilla. California Community Colleges:
student transfer.
   Existing law establishes the 3 segments of public postsecondary
education in this state. These segments include the California State
University, the campuses of which are administered by the Trustees of
the California State University, the University of California, which
is administered by the Regents of the University of California, and
the California Community Colleges, which are administered by the
Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.
   Existing law establishes community college districts throughout
the state, and authorizes them to provide instruction to students at
community college campuses.
   Existing law, known as the Donahoe Higher Education Act,
authorizes the community colleges to grant associate in arts and
associate in science degrees. The act also requires the regents, the
trustees, and the board of governors to have as a fundamental policy
the maintenance of a healthy and expanded program to increase the
number of transfer students from community colleges.
   This bill would enact the Community College Associate Degree and
Recognition of Student Transfer Preparation Act, which would
authorize a community college to grant an associate degree in the
student's field of study, that is designated as being "for transfer,"
to a student who completes 60 transferable semester units or 27
quarter units, as specified, and meets the minimum requirements for
transfer to a public university or alternative path to transfer
program. The bill would prohibit a community college from imposing
any requirements, in addition to these requirements, for the granting
of an associate degree with the "for transfer" designation.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Since the enactment of the Master Plan for Higher Education in
1960, preparing students to transfer to a four-year university has
been a core function of the California Community Colleges.
   (b) Successful progression from lower division coursework to
degree completion is a basic principle of California higher education
and is critical to the future of the state's economy.
   (c) Currently, the coursework necessary to transfer to a campus of
the California State University or the University of California
differs from the coursework needed to earn an associate degree. As a
result, many transfer students leave the community college system
having completed transfer requirements, but are unable to participate
in community college graduation ceremonies, do not have a degree to
show for their work, and are ineligible for some awards and
scholarships because they did not fulfill current requirements for an
associate degree.
   (d) Today, one in every four jobs requires an associate degree or
higher. In the near future, one in every three jobs will require an
associate degree or higher.
   (e) The community college system allows the state to address the
serious shortage of educated workers.
   (f) To meet workforce demands in a cost-effective way,
incentivizing students to earn an associate degree while preparing
for transfer to a four-year college or university, and recognizing
that they have completed a transfer preparation course pattern,
provides students encouragement and support to complete their overall
educational pursuits.
  SEC. 2.  Article 3 (commencing with Section 66745) is added to
Chapter 9.2 of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education
Code, to read:

      Article 3.  Associate Degree and Recognition of Student
Transfer Preparation


   66745.   (a) This article shall be known, and may be cited, as the
Community College Associate Degree and Recognition of Student
Transfer Preparation Act.
   (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that, whenever possible, a
community college shall consider the requirements for transfer as it
develops associate degree requirements and encourages students to
take courses that simultaneously meet both of the requirements of
Section 66746.
   66746.  A community college may grant an associate degree, in the
student's field of study, on which is designated that it is "for
transfer," to a student who meets both of the following requirements:

   (a) Completes a minimum of 60 transferable semester units or 90
quarter units, 18 semester units or 27 quarter units of which shall
comprise coursework in a major or an area of emphasis, as determined
by the college.
   (b) Meets the minimum requirements for transfer in an approved
transfer core curriculum program, approved transfer agreement
program, or dual admission program, implemented pursuant to Chapter
9.2 (commencing with Section 66720) of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title
3 or meets the requirements of an alternative path to transfer
program, including, but not limited to, the Intersegmental General
Education Transfer Curriculum or the California State University
General Education Breadth Requirements.
   66747.  If a community college provides a degree with the "for
transfer" designation as provided for in Section 66746, the college
shall not impose any requirements in addition to the requirements of
Section 66746, including any local college or district requirements.
   66748.  (a) A degree granted pursuant to this article shall
reflect the completion of lower division general education
requirements.
   (b)  The granting of a degree pursuant to this article does not
guarantee admission to any institution.