Existing law creates the Community College Part-Time Faculty Office Hours Program to provide community college students equal access to academic advice assistance and to encourage community college districts to provide opportunities by compensating part-time faculty who hold office hours related to their teaching load. The governing board of each community college district that establishes such a program is required to negotiate, or meet and confer, to establish a program to provide part-time faculty office hours.

This bill would require each community college district to report, on or before August 15 of each year, the total part-time faculty office hours paid, divided by the total part-time faculty office hours taught, during the prior fiscal year and to post this information on its Internet Web site.

To the extent that the bill would impose new duties on community college districts, it would constitute a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Existing law creates the Community College Part-Time Faculty Office Hours Program to provide community college students equal access to academic advice assistance and to encourage community college districts to provide opportunities by compensating part-time faculty who hold office hours related to their teaching load. The governing board of each community college district that establishes such a program is required to negotiate, or meet and confer, to establish a program to provide part-time faculty office hours.

This bill would require each community college district to report, on or before August 15 of each year, the total part-time faculty office hours paid paid, divided by the total part-time faculty office hours taught taught, during the prior fiscal year and to post this information on its Internet Web site.

To the extent that the bill would impose new duties on community college districts, it would constitute a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Existing law creates the Community College Part-Time Faculty Office Hours Program to provide community college students equal access to academic advice assistance and to encourage community college districts to provide opportunities by compensating part-time faculty who hold office hours related to their teaching load. The governing board of each community college district that establishes such a program is required to negotiate, or meet and confer, to establish a program to provide part-time faculty office hours.

This bill would require each community college district to report, on or before August 15 of each year, the total part-time faculty office hours paid divided by the total part-time faculty office hours taught during the prior fiscal year and post this information on its Internet Web site.

To the extent that the bill would impose new duties on community college districts, it would constitute a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

GOVERNOR'S VETO

GV Bill Id:AB 310

Author:(Medina)

As Enrolled Ver:September 6, 2018

2/3 vote

Original Committee Reference: HIGHER ED.

SUMMARY: Requires, on or before August 15 of each year, each California Community College (CCC) district (CCD) to report the total part-time (P/T) faculty office hours paid, divided by the total P/T faculty hours taught, during the prior fiscal year and to prominently post said information on its Internet Web site.

The Senate amendments specify that each CCD shall post the required information (as referenced in the "summary" above) prominently on its Internet Web site.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Requires that each CCD, with the assistance of the CCC Chancellor, establish and maintain institutional research to evaluate the effectiveness of the Student Success and Support Program (SSSP), as specified, and of any other programs or services designed to facilitate students' completion of their educational goals and course of study. Specifies the metrics for said research shall include, but be not limited to the following:
   1. Prior educational experience, including transcripts when appropriate, as determined by the chancellor;
   2. Educational goals and courses of study
   3. Criteria for exemption from orientation, assessment, or required counseling or advisement, if applicable;
   4. Need for financial assistance;
   5. Disaggregated data by ethnicity, gender, disability, age, and socioeconomic status, to the extent this information is available;
   6. Academic performance, such as the completion of specified unit thresholds, success in basic skills courses, grade point average, course completion outcomes, transfer readiness, and degree and certificate completion; and,
   7. Any additional information that the chancellor finds appropriate (Education Code (EC) Section 78214).
2. Requires the CCC Board of Governors (BOG) to develop a formula for allocating funding for the SSSP in order to implement services, as specified (EC Section 78216).
3. Defines "faculty" as those employees of a CCD who are employed in academic positions that are not designated as supervisory or management, as specified. Faculty include, but are not limited to, instructors, librarians, counselors, community college health services professionals, handicapped student programs and services professionals, and extended opportunity programs and services professionals (EC Section 87003).
4. Defines any person who is employed to teach for not more than 67% of the hours per week considered a full-time assignment to be a temporary (P/T) employee (EC Sections 87482.5 and 87882).
5. Requires the CCC BOG to adopt regulations regarding the percent of credit instruction taught by full-time (F/T) faculty and authorizes CCDs with less than 75% F/T instructors to apply a portion of their "program improvement" funds toward reaching the 75% goal (commonly referred as "75/25") (EC Section 87482.6).

The state has stopped providing program improvement funds and the BOG has since required CCDs to provide a portion of their growth funds to hiring more F/T faculty.

1. Expresses that the Legislature finds and declares that community college P/T faculty are required to fulfill the same teaching responsibilities as F/T faculty although students have little or no access to P/T faculty outside of the classroom; that the Legislature intends that students have the same opportunity for academic assistance and guidance without regard to whether a course at a CCC is taught by a F/T or P/T faculty member; and, that the Legislature intends that CCC P/T faculty teaching a minimum number of courses be compensated for providing academic counseling and assistance to students outside of the classroom (EC Section 87880).
2. Creates the Community College P/T Faculty Office Hours Program for the purpose of providing community college students equal access to academic advice and assistance; and, authorizes the governing board of a CCD to provide compensation for office hours to P/T faculty (EC Sections 87881 and 87883).

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, by requiring CCDs to report the total P/T faculty office hours paid divided by the total P/T faculty hours taught and to post this information on their web sites, this bill could create a reimbursable state mandate. Each college may need to figure out how to accurately track, collect, and report office hour data and also re-vamp their data collection systems. A precise estimate is unknown, but assuming a cost of between $5,000 to $10,000 per district, one-time Proposition 98 General Fund costs could range from $360,000 to $720,000.

COMMENTS: Background. Part-time faculty have been expected to provide the same high quality instruction as their F/T colleagues, but often times are not able to provide regular student office hours and are not necessarily compensated for professional responsibilities linked to student success.

Student success and support. SB 1456 (Lowenthal), Chapter 624, Statutes of 2012, was enacted to implement some of the Student Success Task Force recommendations. Among other things, SB 1456 revised and recast the Seymour-Campbell Matriculation Act of 1986 as the Seymour-Campbell Success Act of 2012 in order to target funding to services such as orientation, assessment, and counseling and advising to assist students with the development of education plans. It also required that students define goals, required that students declare a course of study and mandated student participation in assessment, orientation and education planning.

At a regulatory level, the BOG has approved regulations that provide enrollment priority to students who have participated in assessment, orientation and who have developed an education plan. A revision of Title 5 regulations is in progress to implement provisions of SB 1456 to require students to complete core services as well as to declare a course of study. Additionally, in 2012 the Board of Governors adopted enrollment priorities and, in Spring 2013, districts are required to notify students that accumulating 100 degree applicable units or being on academic or progress probation for two consecutive terms will result in the loss of enrollment priority. Finally, as of Fall 2014, students who complete orientation, assessment, and have a student education plan, will receive a higher enrollment priority.

The Seymour-Campbell Student Success Act of 2012 also specifies that hiring F/T faculty, including counselors, and providing for P/T faculty support, are "essential educational priorities that contribute to student success."

Importance of faculty office hours. Various studies have shown that office hours play a vital component of higher education; providing invaluable means for students to interact with faculty outside of the classroom and/or lecture hall. Office hours have been shown to provide students with confidence and motivation. Many students describe office hour visits just as important as attending a class. Additionally, office hours have been linked to student retention.

Need for this measure. According to the author, "The Legislature has previously acknowledged the importance of this issue [the need for P/T faculty office hours]. In 1997, it created the Community College Part-time Faculty Office Hours Program to provide funding for office hours. However, funds for this program were cut during the recession, although some funds were allocated for this purpose in last year's budget compromise. Part-time faculty hold office hours as negotiated by their contracts. Thus, if these contracts do not include office hours, which many do not, then office hours are not offered."

The author contends, "While the Student Success Scorecard collects and reports various metrics that affect student success, it does not collect information on office hours offered by part-time faculty. This information is also not readily available on community college district websites."

The author argues that, "As mandated in statute since the Seymour-Campbell Student Success Act of 2012, community colleges must collect information, such as prior student educational experience, financial need, and educational goals. This information is then compiled and published by the Chancellor's Office in the annual Student Success Scorecard. One item not collected by community colleges is provision of office hours by part-time faculty. Given the importance of office hours on student performance, and the significant proportion of classes taught by part-time faculty, this metric should be available to facilitate student choice and to help policymakers better understand the drivers of Student Success."

Previous legislation. AB 2069 (Medina) of 2016, which was vetoed by the Governor, was similar in nature to this measure.

GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE:

As I stated in the veto of AB 2069 (Medina) of 2016, the state recognizes the many contributions part-time faculty make in students' lives. Over the last few years, we increased funding for the part-time faculty office hours program by several millions of dollars in ongoing funding and $50 million in one-time funds just a few months ago.

We've also created more opportunities for part-time faculty to become full-time faculty with additional investments totaling over $100 million.

A reporting mandate on top of all this investment is unnecessary.

Analysis Prepared by: Jeanice Warden / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960 FN: 0005252

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 310

Author:(Medina)

As Amended Ver:May 7, 2018

Majority vote

Original Committee Reference: HIGHER ED.

SUMMARY: Requires, on or before August 15 of each year, each California Community College (CCC) district (CCD) to report the total part-time (P/T) faculty office hours paid, divided by the total P/T faculty hours taught, during the prior fiscal year and to prominently post said information on its Internet Web site.

The Senate amendments specify that each CCD shall post the required information (as referenced in the "summary" above) prominently on its Internet Web site.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Requires that each CCD, with the assistance of the CCC Chancellor, establish and maintain institutional research to evaluate the effectiveness of the Student Success and Support Program (SSSP), as specified, and of any other programs or services designed to facilitate students' completion of their educational goals and course of study. Specifies the metrics for said research shall include, but be not limited to the following:
   1. Prior educational experience, including transcripts when appropriate, as determined by the chancellor;
   2. Educational goals and courses of study
   3. Criteria for exemption from orientation, assessment, or required counseling or advisement, if applicable;
   4. Need for financial assistance;
   5. Disaggregated data by ethnicity, gender, disability, age, and socioeconomic status, to the extent this information is available;
   6. Academic performance, such as the completion of specified unit thresholds, success in basic skills courses, grade point average, course completion outcomes, transfer readiness, and degree and certificate completion; and,
   7. Any additional information that the chancellor finds appropriate (Education Code (EC) Section 78214).
2. Requires the CCC Board of Governors (BOG) to develop a formula for allocating funding for the SSSP in order to implement services, as specified (EC Section 78216).
3. Defines "faculty" as those employees of a CCD who are employed in academic positions that are not designated as supervisory or management, as specified. Faculty include, but are not limited to, instructors, librarians, counselors, community college health services professionals, handicapped student programs and services professionals, and extended opportunity programs and services professionals (EC Section 87003).
4. Defines any person who is employed to teach for not more than 67% of the hours per week considered a full-time assignment to be a temporary (P/T) employee (EC Sections 87482.5 and 87882).
5. Requires the CCC BOG to adopt regulations regarding the percent of credit instruction taught by full-time (F/T) faculty and authorizes CCDs with less than 75% F/T instructors to apply a portion of their "program improvement" funds toward reaching the 75% goal (commonly referred as "75/25") (EC Section 87482.6).

The state has stopped providing program improvement funds and the BOG has since required CCDs to provide a portion of their growth funds to hiring more F/T faculty.

1. Expresses that the Legislature finds and declares that community college P/T faculty are required to fulfill the same teaching responsibilities as F/T faculty although students have little or no access to P/T faculty outside of the classroom; that the Legislature intends that students have the same opportunity for academic assistance and guidance without regard to whether a course at a CCC is taught by a F/T or P/T faculty member; and, that the Legislature intends that CCC P/T faculty teaching a minimum number of courses be compensated for providing academic counseling and assistance to students outside of the classroom (EC Section 87880).
2. Creates the Community College P/T Faculty Office Hours Program for the purpose of providing community college students equal access to academic advice and assistance; and, authorizes the governing board of a CCD to provide compensation for office hours to P/T faculty (EC Sections 87881 and 87883).

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, by requiring CCDs to report the total P/T faculty office hours paid divided by the total P/T faculty hours taught and to post this information on their web sites, this bill could create a reimbursable state mandate. Each college may need to figure out how to accurately track, collect, and report office hour data and also re-vamp their data collection systems. A precise estimate is unknown, but assuming a cost of between $5,000 to $10,000 per district, one-time Proposition 98 General Fund costs could range from $360,000 to $720,000.

COMMENTS: Background. Part-time faculty have been expected to provide the same high quality instruction as their F/T colleagues, but often times are not able to provide regular student office hours and are not necessarily compensated for professional responsibilities linked to student success.

Student success and support. Senate Bill 1456 (Lowenthal), Chapter 624, Statutes of 2012, was enacted to implement some of the Student Success Task Force recommendations. Among other things, SB 1456 revised and recast the Seymour-Campbell Matriculation Act of 1986 as the Seymour-Campbell Success Act of 2012 in order to target funding to services such as orientation, assessment, and counseling and advising to assist students with the development of education plans. It also required that students define goals, required that students declare a course of study and mandated student participation in assessment, orientation and education planning.

At a regulatory level, the BOG has approved regulations that provide enrollment priority to students who have participated in assessment, orientation and who have developed an education plan. A revision of Title 5 regulations is in progress to implement provisions of SB 1456 to require students to complete core services as well as to declare a course of study. Additionally, in 2012 the Board of Governors adopted enrollment priorities and, in Spring 2013, districts are required to notify students that accumulating 100 degree applicable units or being on academic or progress probation for two consecutive terms will result in the loss of enrollment priority. Finally, as of Fall 2014, students who complete orientation, assessment, and have a student education plan, will receive a higher enrollment priority.

The Seymour-Campbell Student Success Act of 2012 also specifies that hiring F/T faculty, including counselors, and providing for P/T faculty support, are "essential educational priorities that contribute to student success."

Importance of faculty office hours. Various studies have shown that office hours play a vital component of higher education; providing invaluable means for students to interact with faculty outside of the classroom and/or lecture hall. Office hours have been shown to provide students with confidence and motivation. Many students describe office hour visits just as important as attending a class. Additionally, office hours have been linked to student retention.

Need for this measure. According to the author, "The Legislature has previously acknowledged the importance of this issue [the need for P/T faculty office hours]. In 1997, it created the Community College Part-time Faculty Office Hours Program to provide funding for office hours. However, funds for this program were cut during the recession, although some funds were allocated for this purpose in last year's budget compromise. Part-time faculty hold office hours as negotiated by their contracts. Thus, if these contracts do not include office hours, which many do not, then office hours are not offered."

The author contends, "While the Student Success Scorecard collects and reports various metrics that affect student success, it does not collect information on office hours offered by part-time faculty. This information is also not readily available on community college district websites."

The author argues that, "As mandated in statute since the Seymour-Campbell Student Success Act of 2012, community colleges must collect information, such as prior student educational experience, financial need, and educational goals. This information is then compiled and published by the Chancellor's Office in the annual Student Success Scorecard. One item not collected by community colleges is provision of office hours by part-time faculty. Given the importance of office hours on student performance, and the significant proportion of classes taught by part-time faculty, this metric should be available to facilitate student choice and to help policymakers better understand the drivers of Student Success."

Previous legislation. AB 2069 (Medina) of 2016, which was vetoed by the Governor, was similar in nature to this measure.

Analysis Prepared by: Jeanice Warden / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960 FN: 0004316

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 310

Author:

:

Vote:

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 6-0, 4/25/18

AYES: Allen, Wilk, Galgiani, Leyva, Pan, Vidak

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 8/16/18

AYES: Portantino, Bates, Beall, Bradford, Hill, Nielsen, Wiener

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 1/29/18 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT:

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill requires each community college district to annually report the total part-time faculty office hours paid divided by the total part-time faculty office hours taught and to post this information on its Internet Web site.

ANALYSIS: Existing law establishes the Community College Part-time Faculty Office Hours Program, contingent upon annual Budget Act funding, for the purpose of providing community college students with access to academic advice and assistance and to encourage districts to provide opportunities to compensate those who hold office hours related to their teaching load. The governing board of each district that establishes such a program is required to negotiate with the exclusive bargaining representative (or, if none exists, with the faculty) to establish the program. Participating districts are required to inform the Chancellor’s office of the total costs of part-time faculty office hours compensation paid and the Chancellors office is required to apportion up to 50 percent of these costs, to be distributed proportionally based upon each districts’ total cost and the total amount provided in the annual Budget Act. (Education Code § 87880-87885)

This bill:

1. Requires that each community college district report, by August 15 of each year, the total part-time faculty office hours paid divided by the total part-time faculty hours taught during the prior fiscal year.
2. Requires that each community college district prominently post this information on its Internet Web site.

Comments

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, “there is a defined correlation between after-class access to faculty and student success, this issue is not reported to the public. Given the importance of office hours on student performance, and the significant proportion of classes taught by part-time faculty, this metric should be included on community college district websites. When prospective students are determining which community college to attend, this is one of the most practical data points to assist them in their decisions.”
2. Part-time faculty office hours. In 1997, the Legislature created the Community College Part-Time Faculty Office Hours Program to improve student access to instructors by establishing a fund to reimburse districts 50 percent of their costs if they negotiated some level of office hour compensation for their part-time faculty members. Funding for this program is currently disbursed on a reimbursement basis to participating community college districts pursuant to Education Code Section 87885.

The Program had been funded at a level of about $2 million per year until 2001-02, when it reached its peak of funding at $7.1 million. During the recession (2009-2015) this funding was reduced to about $3.5 million per year. The 2016-17 Budget restored funding for the program to the 2008-09 pre-recession level with a total of $7.2 million. The Budget Act of 2017 further increased the amount by an additional $5 million bringing the total to $12.2 million.

1. Data collection challenges. According to the California Community Colleges, paid part-time faculty office hours are not a state requirement and vary by district according to their individual local bargaining contracts. Consequently, statewide data are inconsistent. The Chancellor’s Office is only able to track information from districts which specifically participate in the state’s Part-Time Faculty Office Hours Program. The Chancellor’s Office reports that, for the 2016-17 fiscal year, they have received claims from 23 of the 72 districts. The Chancellor’s office also noted that districts that do not participate in the program are not precluded from paying for office hours with other funds.

Related/Prior Legislation

AB 2069 (Medina, 2016) identical to this bill was vetoed by the Governor whose message read:

“The state recognizes the many contributions part-time faculty make in students' lives. The 2016-17 budget increased payment for part-time faculty office hours by almost $3.7 million, bringing the total state investment to $7.2 million. In 2015-16, we created more opportunities for part-time faculty to become full-time faculty by providing $62.3 million for the hiring of new full-time faculty.

Although the bill's language is simple, gathering and reporting this information still has a real cost-about 10 percent of the entire allocation of funding for part-time office hours.

We would do better to spend the money on more office hours.”

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, by requiring community college districts to report the total part-time faculty office hours paid divided by the total part-time faculty hours taught and to post this information on their web sites, this bill could create a reimbursable state mandate. Each college may need to figure out how to accurately track, collect, and report office hour data and also re-vamp their data collection systems. A precise estimate is unknown, but assuming a cost of between $5,000 to $10,000 per district, one-time Proposition 98 General Fund costs could range from $360,000 to $720,000.

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/17/18)

California Part-Time Faculty Association

California Teachers Association

Faculty Association of California Community Colleges

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/17/18)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 1/29/18

AYES: Acosta, Aguiar-Curry, Travis Allen, Arambula, Baker, Berman, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonta, Brough, Burke, Caballero, Calderon, Carrillo, Cervantes, Chau, Chávez, Chen, Chiu, Choi, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Cunningham, Dahle, Daly, Eggman, Flora, Fong, Frazier, Friedman, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Gloria, Gonzalez Fletcher, Gray, Grayson, Harper, Holden, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Kiley, Lackey, Levine, Limón, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Patterson, Quirk, Quirk-Silva, Reyes, Rodriguez, Rubio, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Voepel, Waldron, Weber, Wood, Rendon

NO VOTE RECORDED: McCarty

Prepared by:

8/18/18 16:45:26

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Anthony Portantino, Chair

2017 - 2018 Regular Session

AB 310 (Medina) - Part-time faculty office hours

This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File.

Bill Summary:

This bill requires each community college district to annually report the total part-time faculty office hours paid divided by the total part-time faculty office hours taught and to post this information on its Internet Web site.

Fiscal Impact:

By requiring community college districts to report the total part-time faculty office hours paid divided by the total part-time faculty hours taught and to post this information on their web sites, this bill could create a reimbursable state mandate. Each college may need to figure out how to accurately track, collect, and report office hour data and also re-vamp their data collection systems. A precise estimate is unknown, but assuming a cost of between $5,000 to $10,000 per district, one-time Proposition 98 General Fund costs could range from $360,000 to $720,000.

Background:

Existing law establishes the Community College Part-time Faculty Office Hours Program, contingent upon annual Budget Act funding, for the purpose of providing community college students with access to academic advice and assistance and to encourage districts to provide opportunities to compensate those who hold office hours related to their teaching load. The governing board of each district that establishes such a program is required to negotiate with the exclusive bargaining representative (or, if none exists, with the faculty) to establish the program. Participating districts are required to inform the Chancellor’s office of the total costs of part-time faculty office hours compensation paid and the Chancellors office is required to apportion up to 50 percent of these costs, to be distributed proportionally based upon each districts’ total cost and the total amount provided in the annual Budget Act.

Proposed Law:

This bill requires that each community college district report, by August 15 of each year, the total part-time faculty office hours paid divided by the total part-time faculty hours taught during the prior fiscal year. Additionally, each community college district would be required to prominently post this information on its Internet Web site.

Related Legislation:

AB 2069 (Medina, 2016) was nearly identical to this bill and was vetoed by the Governor whose message read:

“The state recognizes the many contributions part-time faculty make in students' lives. The 2016-17 budget increased payment for part-time faculty office hours by almost $3.7 million, bringing the total state investment to $7.2 million. In 2015-16, we created more opportunities for part-time faculty to become full-time faculty by providing $62.3 million for the hiring of new full-time faculty.

Although the bill's language is simple, gathering and reporting this information still has a real cost-about 10 percent of the entire allocation of funding for part-time office hours.

We would do better to spend the money on more office hours.”

Staff Comments:

The Community College Part-time Faculty Office Hours Program had been funded at a level of about $2 million per year until 2001-02, when it reached its peak of funding at $7.1 million. During the recession (2009-2015) this funding was reduced to about $3.5 million per year. The 2016-17 Budget restored funding for the program to the 2008-09 pre-recession level with a total of $7.2 million. The Budget Act of 2017 further increased the amount by an additional $5 million bringing the total to $12.2 million.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Senator Benjamin Allen, Chair

2017 - 2018 Regular

Bill No: Hearing Date: April 25, 2018

Subject:

SUMMARY

This bill requires each community college district to annually report the total part-time faculty office hours paid divided by the total part-time faculty office hours taught and to post this information on its Internet Web site.

BACKGROUND

Existing law establishes the Community College Part-time Faculty Office Hours Program, contingent upon annual Budget Act funding, for the purpose of providing community college students with access to academic advice and assistance and to encourage districts to provide opportunities to compensate those who hold office hours related to their teaching load. The governing board of each district that establishes such a program is required to negotiate with the exclusive bargaining representative (or, if none exists, with the faculty) to establish the program. Participating districts are required to inform the Chancellor’s office of the total costs of part-time faculty office hours compensation paid and the Chancellors office is required to apportion up to 50 percent of these costs, to be distributed proportionally based upon each districts’ total cost and the total amount provided in the annual Budget Act. (Education Code § 87880-87885)

ANALYSIS

This bill:

1) Requires that each community college district report, by August 15 of each year, the total part-time faculty office hours paid divided by the total part-time faculty hours taught during the prior fiscal year.

2) Requires that each community college district prominently post this information on its Internet Web site.

STAFF COMMENTS

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, “there is a defined correlation between after-class access to faculty and student success, this issue is not reported to the public. Given the importance of office hours on student performance, and the significant proportion of classes taught by part-time faculty, this metric should be included on community college district websites. When prospective students are determining which community college to attend, this is one of the most practical data points to assist them in their decisions.”
2. Part-time Faculty Office Hours. In 1997, the Legislature created the Community College Part-Time Faculty Office Hours Program to improve student access to instructors by establishing a fund to reimburse districts 50 percent of their costs if they negotiated some level of office hour compensation for their part-time faculty members. Funding for this program is currently disbursed on a reimbursement basis to participating community college districts pursuant to Education Code Section 87885.

The Program had been funded at a level of about $2 million per year until 2001-02, when it reached its peak of funding at $7.1 million. During the recession (2009-2015) this funding was reduced to about $3.5 million per year. The 2016-17 Budget restored funding for the program to the 2008-09 pre-recession level with a total of $7.2 million. The Budget Act of 2017 further increased the amount by an additional $5 million bringing the total to $12.2 million.

1. Data Collection Challenges. According to the CCC, paid part-time faculty office hours are not a state requirement and vary by district according to their individual local bargaining contracts. Consequently, statewide data are inconsistent. The Chancellor’s Office is only able to track information from districts which specifically participate in the state’s Part-Time Faculty Office Hours Program. The Chancellor’s Office reports that, for the 2016-17 fiscal year, they have received claims from 23 of the 72 districts. The Chancellor’s office also noted that districts that do not participate in the program are not precluded from paying for office hours with other funds.
2. Prior legislation.

AB 2069 (Medina, 2016) identical to this bill was vetoed by the Governor whose message read:

“The state recognizes the many contributions part-time faculty make in students' lives. The 2016-17 budget increased payment for part-time faculty office hours by almost $3.7 million, bringing the total state investment to $7.2 million. In 2015-16, we created more opportunities for part-time faculty to become full-time faculty by providing $62.3 million for the hiring of new full-time faculty.

Although the bill's language is simple, gathering and reporting this information still has a real cost-about 10 percent of the entire allocation of funding for part-time office hours.

We would do better to spend the money on more office hours.”

SUPPORT

California Teachers Association

California Part-Time Faculty Association

Faculty Association of California Community Colleges

OPPOSITION

None received

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 310

Author:(Medina)

As Introduced Ver:February 6, 2017

Majority vote

SUMMARY: Requires, on or before August 15 of each year, each California Community College (CCC) district (CCD) to report the total part-time (P/T) faculty office hours paid divided by the total P/T faculty hours taught during the prior fiscal year; and, to prominently post said information on its Internet Web site.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Requires that each CCD, with the assistance of the CCC Chancellor, establish and maintain institutional research to evaluate the effectiveness of the Student Success and Support Program (SSSP), as specified, and of any other programs or services designed to facilitate students' completion of their educational goals and course of study. Specifies the metrics for said research shall include, but be not limited to the following:
   1. Prior educational experience, including transcripts when appropriate, as determined by the chancellor;
   2. Educational goals and courses of study;
   3. Criteria for exemption from orientation, assessment, or required counseling or advisement, if applicable;
   4. Need for financial assistance;
   5. Disaggregated data by ethnicity, gender, disability, age, and socioeconomic status, to the extent this information is available;
   6. Academic performance, such as the completion of specified unit thresholds, success in basic skills courses, grade point average, course completion outcomes, transfer readiness, and degree and certificate completion; and,
   7. Any additional information that the chancellor finds appropriate (Education Code (EC) Section 78214).
2. Requires the CCC Board of Governors (BOG) to develop a formula for allocating funding for the SSSP in order to implement services, as specified (EC Section 78216).
3. Defines "faculty" as those employees of a CCD who are employed in academic positions that are not designated as supervisory or management, as specified. Faculty include, but are not limited to, instructors, librarians, counselors, community college health services professionals, handicapped student programs and services professionals, and extended opportunity programs and services professionals (EC Section 87003).
4. Defines any person who is employed to teach for not more than 67% of the hours per week considered a full-time assignment to be a temporary (P/T) employee (EC Sections 87482.5 and 87882).
5. Requires the CCC BOG to adopt regulations regarding the percent of credit instruction taught by full-time (F/T) faculty and authorizes CCDs with less than 75% F/T instructors to apply a portion of their "program improvement" funds toward reaching the 75% goal (commonly referred as "75/25") (EC Section 87482.6).

The state has stopped providing program improvement funds and the BOG has since required CCDs to provide a portion of their growth funds to hiring more F/T faculty.

1. Expresses that the Legislature finds and declares that community college P/T faculty are required to fulfill the same teaching responsibilities as F/T faculty although students have little or no access to P/T faculty outside of the classroom; that the Legislature intends that students have the same opportunity for academic assistance and guidance without regard to whether a course at a CCC is taught by a F/T or P/T faculty member; and, that the Legislature intends that CCC P/T faculty teaching a minimum number of courses be compensated for providing academic counseling and assistance to students outside of the classroom (EC Section 87880).
2. Creates the Community College P/T Faculty Office Hours Program for the purpose of providing community college students equal access to academic advice and assistance; and, authorizes the governing board of a CCD to provide compensation for office hours to P/T faculty (EC Sections 87881 and 87883).

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, currently, CCD's share the total number of P/T faculty each semester on their website. However, to the extent that districts do not currently collect data on P/T faculty holding office hours, they would have to establish a system, and potentially make information technology modifications. Assuming an average cost between $5,000 to $10,000 per district, annual statewide reimbursable costs could be between $360,000 to $720,000 General Fund/Prop 98.

COMMENTS: Background. Part-time faculty have been expected to provide the same high quality instruction as their F/T colleagues, but often times are not able to provide regular student office hours and are not necessarily compensated for professional responsibilities linked to student success.

Student success and support. Senate Bill 1456 (Lowenthal), Chapter 624, Statutes of 2012, was enacted to implement some of the Student Success Task Force recommendations. Among other things, SB 1456 revised and recast the Seymour-Campbell Matriculation Act of 1986 as the Seymour-Campbell Success Act of 2012 in order to target funding to services such as orientation, assessment, and counseling and advising to assist students with the development of education plans. It also required that students define goals, required that students declare a course of study and mandated student participation in assessment, orientation and education planning.

At a regulatory level, the BOG has approved regulations that provide enrollment priority to students who have participated in assessment, orientation and who have developed an education plan. A revision of Title 5 regulations is in progress to implement provisions of SB 1456 to require students to complete core services as well as to declare a course of study. Additionally, in 2012 the Board of Governors adopted enrollment priorities and, in Spring 2013, districts are required to notify students that accumulating 100 degree applicable units or being on academic or progress probation for two consecutive terms will result in the loss of enrollment priority. Finally, as of Fall 2014, students who complete orientation, assessment, and have a student education plan, will receive a higher enrollment priority.

The Seymour-Campbell Student Success Act of 2012 also specifies that hiring F/T faculty, including counselors, and providing for P/T faculty support, are "essential educational priorities that contribute to student success."

Importance of faculty office hours. Various studies have shown that office hours play a vital component of higher education; providing invaluable means for students to interact with faculty outside of the classroom and/or lecture hall. Office hours have been shown to provide students with confidence and motivation. Many students describe office hour visits just as important as attending a class. Additionally, office hours have been linked to student retention.

Need for this measure. According to the author, "The Legislature has previously acknowledged the importance of this issue [the need for P/T faculty office hours]. In 1997, it created the Community College Part-time Faculty Office Hours Program to provide funding for office hours. However, funds for this program were cut during the recession, although some funds were allocated for this purpose in last year's budget compromise. Part-time faculty hold office hours as negotiated by their contracts. Thus, if these contracts do not include office hours, which many do not, then office hours are not offered."

The author contends, "While the Student Success Scorecard collects and reports various metrics that affect student success, it does not collect information on office hours offered by part-time faculty. This information is also not readily available on community college district websites."

The author argues that, "As mandated in statute since the Seymour-Campbell Student Success Act of 2012, community colleges must collect information, such as prior student educational experience, financial need, and educational goals. This information is then compiled and published by the Chancellor's Office in the annual Student Success Scorecard. One item not collected by community colleges is provision of office hours by part-time faculty. Given the importance of office hours on student performance, and the significant proportion of classes taught by part-time faculty, this metric should be available to facilitate student choice and to help policymakers better understand the drivers of Student Success."

This measure will require that P/T faculty offered office hours be reported on the websites of community college districts.

Previous legislation. AB 2069 (Medina) of 2016, which was vetoed by the Governor, was virtually identical to this measure.

Analysis Prepared by: Jeanice Warden / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960 FN: 0002535

Date of Hearing: January 18, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 310

Author:(Medina) – As Introduced Ver:February 6, 2017

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: Yes

SUMMARY:

This bill requires each California Community College (CCC) district (CCD) to report the total part-time (P/T) faculty office hours paid divided by the total P/T faculty hours taught during the prior fiscal year; and, to prominently post the information on its website.

FISCAL EFFECT:

Currently, CCD’s share the total number of P/T faculty each semester on their website. However, to the extent that districts do not currently collect data on P/T faculty holding office hours, they would have to establish a system, and potentially make information technology modifications. Assuming an average cost between $5,000 - $10,000 per district, annual statewide reimbursable costs could be between $360,000 to $720,000 General Fund/Prop 98.

COMMENTS:

1. Background. Existing law defines any person who is employed to teach for not more than 67% of the hours per week to be a temporary (P/T) employee. State law also requires the CCC Board of Governors to adopt regulations regarding the percent of credit instruction taught by full-time (F/T) faculty and authorizes CCDs with less than 75% F/T instructors to apply a portion of their "program improvement" funds toward reaching the 75% goal (commonly referred to as "75/25").
2. Purpose. According to the author, "The Legislature has previously acknowledged the importance of this issue [the need for P/T faculty office hours]. In 1997, it created the Community College Part-time Faculty Office Hours Program to provide funding for office hours. However, funds for this program were cut during the recession, although some funds were allocated for this purpose in last year’s budget compromise. Part-time faculty hold office hours as negotiated by their contracts. Thus, if these contracts do not include office hours, which many do not, then office hours are not offered."
3. Prior Legislation. AB 2069 (Medina) of 2016, was virtually identical to this measure. The bill was vetoed by Governor Brown who stated, “Although the bill's language is simple, gathering and reporting this information still has a real cost-about 10 percent of the entire allocation of funding for part-time office hours. We would do better to spend the money on more office hours.”

Analysis Prepared by: Daisy Gonzales / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: January 9, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Jose Medina, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 310 (

Author:Medina) – As Introduced Ver:February 6, 2017

SUBJECT: Part-time faculty office hours.

SUMMARY: Requires, on or before August 15 of each year, each California Community College (CCC) district (CCD) to report the total part-time (P/T) faculty office hours paid divided by the total P/T faculty hours taught during the prior fiscal year; and, to prominently post said information on its Internet Web site.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Requires that each CCD, with the assistance of the CCC Chancellor, establish and maintain institutional research to evaluate the effectiveness of the Student Success and Support Program (SSSP), as specified, and of any other programs or services designed to facilitate students' completion of their educational goals and course of study. Specifies the metrics for said research shall include, but be not limited to the following:
   1. Prior educational experience, including transcripts when appropriate, as determined by the chancellor;
   2. Educational goals and courses of study;
   3. Criteria for exemption from orientation, assessment, or required counseling or advisement, if applicable;
   4. Need for financial assistance;
   5. Disaggregated data by ethnicity, gender, disability, age, and socioeconomic status, to the extent this information is available;
   6. Academic performance, such as the completion of specified unit thresholds, success in basic skills courses, grade point average, course completion outcomes, transfer readiness, and degree and certificate completion; and,
   7. Any additional information that the chancellor finds appropriate (Education Code (EC) Section 78214).
2. Requires the CCC Board of Governors (BOG) to develop a formula for allocating funding for the SSSP in order to implement services, as specified (EC Section 78216).
3. Defines "faculty" as those employees of a CCD who are employed in academic positions that are not designated as supervisory or management, as specified. Faculty include, but are not limited to, instructors, librarians, counselors, community college health services professionals, handicapped student programs and services professionals, and extended opportunity programs and services professionals (EC Section 87003).
4. Defines any person who is employed to teach for not more than 67% of the hours per week considered a full-time assignment to be a temporary (P/T) employee (EC Sections 87482.5 and 87882).
5. Requires the CCC BOG to adopt regulations regarding the percent of credit instruction taught by full-time (F/T) faculty and authorizes CCDs with less than 75% F/T instructors to apply a portion of their "program improvement" funds toward reaching the 75% goal (commonly referred as "75/25") (EC Section 87482.6).

The state has stopped providing program improvement funds and the BOG has since required CCDs to provide a portion of their growth funds to hiring more F/T faculty.

1. Expresses that the Legislature finds and declares that community college P/T faculty are required to fulfill the same teaching responsibilities as F/T faculty although students have little or no access to P/T faculty outside of the classroom; that the Legislature intends that students have the same opportunity for academic assistance and guidance without regard to whether a course at a CCC is taught by a F/T or P/T faculty member; and, that the Legislature intends that CCC P/T faculty teaching a minimum number of courses be compensated for providing academic counseling and assistance to students outside of the classroom (EC Section 87880).
2. Creates the Community College P/T Faculty Office Hours Program for the purpose of providing community college students equal access to academic advice and assistance; and, authorizes the governing board of a CCD to provide compensation for office hours to P/T faculty (EC Sections 87881 and 87883).

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown; however, according to the Senate Appropriations Committee on a measure virtually identical to this measure, negligible state costs.

COMMENTS: Background. Part-time faculty have been expected to provide the same high quality instruction as their F/T colleagues, but often times are not able to provide regular student office hours and are not necessarily compensated for professional responsibilities linked to student success.

Student success and support. Senate Bill 1456 (Lowenthal), Chapter 624, Statutes of 2013, was enacted to implement some of the Student Success Task Force recommendations. Among other things, SB 1456 revised and recast the Seymour-Campbell Matriculation Act of 1986 as the Seymour-Campbell Success Act of 2012 in order to target funding to services such as orientation, assessment, and counseling and advising to assist students with the development of education plans. It also required that students define goals, required that students declare a course of study and mandated student participation in assessment, orientation and education planning.

At a regulatory level, the BOG has approved regulations that provide enrollment priority to students who have participated in assessment, orientation and who have developed an education plan. A revision of Title 5 regulations is in progress to implement provisions of SB 1456 to require students to complete core services as well as to declare a course of study. Additionally, in 2012 the Board of Governors adopted enrollment priorities and, in Spring 2013, districts are required to notify students that accumulating 100 degree applicable units or being on academic or progress probation for two consecutive terms will result in the loss of enrollment priority. Finally, as of Fall 2014, students who complete orientation, assessment, and have a student education plan, will receive a higher enrollment priority.

The Seymour-Campbell Student Success Act of 2012 also specifies that hiring F/T faculty, including counselors, and providing for P/T faculty support, are "essential educational priorities that contribute to student success."

Importance of faculty office hours. Various studies have shown that office hours play a vital component of higher education; providing invaluable means for students to interact with faculty outside of the classroom and/or lecture hall. Office hours have been shown to provide students with confidence and motivation. Many students describe office hour visits just as important as attending a class. Additionally, office hours have been linked to student retention.

Need for this measure. According to the author, "The Legislature has previously acknowledged the importance of this issue [the need for P/T faculty office hours]. In 1997, it created the Community College Part-time Faculty Office Hours Program to provide funding for office hours. However, funds for this program were cut during the recession, although some funds were allocated for this purpose in last year’s budget compromise. Part-time faculty hold office hours as negotiated by their contracts. Thus, if these contracts do not include office hours, which many do not, then office hours are not offered."

The author contends, "While the Student Success Scorecard collects and reports various metrics that affect student success, it does not collect information on office hours offered by part-time faculty. This information is also not readily available on community college district websites."

The author argues that, "As mandated in statute since the Seymour-Campbell Student Success Act of 2012, community colleges must collect information, such as prior student educational experience, financial need, and educational goals. This information is then compiled and published by the Chancellor’s Office in the annual Student Success Scorecard. One item not collected by community colleges is provision of office hours by part-time faculty. Given the importance of office hours on student performance, and the significant proportion of classes taught by part-time faculty, this metric should be available to facilitate student choice and to help policymakers better understand the drivers of Student Success."

This measure will require that P/T faculty offered office hours be reported on the community college district website.

Previous legislation. AB 2069 (Medina) of 2016, which was vetoed by the Governor, was virtually identical to this measure.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

California Federation of Teachers

California Teachers Association

Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (Sponsor)

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Jeanice Warden / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960