Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.

This bill would encourage community college districts to establish and implement Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) programs at community colleges that are directed at identifying students affected by social, economic, and educational disadvantages, increasing the number of eligible students served under MESA programs, and increasing student success in transferring and completing baccalaureate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors at four-year higher education institutions, as specified. The bill would require the Board of Governors to adopt regulations for the operation of MESA programs at community colleges that align with the programmatic components of MESA programs. The bill would require the operation of MESA programs and the regulations adopted by the Board of Governors to accomplish certain goals.

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.

This bill would encourage community college districts to establish and implement Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) programs at community colleges that are directed at identifying students affected by social, economic, and educational disadvantages, increasing the number of eligible students served under MESA programs, and increasing student success in transferring and completing baccalaureate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors at four-year higher education institutions, as specified. The bill would require the Board of Governors to adopt regulations for the operation of MESA programs at community colleges that align with the programmatic components of MESA programs. The bill would require the operation of MESA programs and the regulations adopted by the Board of Governors to accomplish certain goals.

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.

This bill would encourage community colleges to establish and implement Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) programs directed at identifying students affected by social, economic, and educational disadvantages, increasing the number of eligible students served under MESA programs, and increasing student success in transferring and completing baccalaureate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors at four-year higher education institutions, as specified. The bill would require the Board of Governors to adopt regulations for the operation of MESA programs at community colleges that align with the programmatic components of MESA programs. The bill would require the operation of MESA programs and the regulations adopted by the Board of Governors to accomplish certain goals.

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.

This bill would encourage community colleges to establish and implement Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) programs directed at identifying students affected by social, economic, and educational disadvantages, increasing the number of eligible students served under MESA programs, and increasing student success in transferring and completing baccalaureate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors at four-year higher education institutions, as specified. The bill would require the Board of Governors to adopt regulations for purposes of MESA programs and would require those regulations to be consistent with specified requirements and the operation of MESA programs at community colleges that align with the programmatic components of MESA programs. The bill would require the operation of MESA programs and the regulations adopted by the Board of Governors to accomplish certain goals.

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.

This bill would encourage community colleges to establish and implement Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) programs directed at identifying students affected by social, economic, and educational disadvantages, increasing the number of eligible students served under MESA programs, and increasing student success in transferring and completing baccalaureate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors at four-year higher education institutions, as specified. The bill would require the Board of Governors to adopt regulations for purposes of MESA programs and would require those regulations to be consistent with specified requirements and accomplish certain goals.

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.

This bill would encourage community colleges to develop establish and implement Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) programs directed at identifying students affected by social, economic, and educational disadvantages, increasing the number of eligible students served under MESA programs, and increasing student success in transferring and completing baccalaureate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors at four-year higher education institutions, as specified. The bill would require the Board of Governors to adopt regulations for purposes of MESA programs and would require those regulations to be consistent with specified requirements and accomplish certain goals.

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.

This bill would encourage community colleges to develop and implement Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) programs directed at identifying students affected by social, economic, and educational disadvantages, increasing the number of eligible students served under MESA programs, and increasing student success in transferring and completing baccalaureate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors at four-year higher education institutions, as specified. The bill would require the Board of Governors to adopt regulations for purposes of MESA programs and would require those regulations to be consistent with specified requirements and accomplish certain goals.

 UNFINISHED BUSINESS  

Bill No: SB 444

Author: Newman (D)

Amended: 9/1/23

Vote: 21

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 7-0, 3/22/23

AYES: Newman, Ochoa Bogh, Cortese, Glazer, McGuire, Smallwood-Cuevas, Wilk

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 5/18/23

AYES: Portantino, Jones, Ashby, Bradford, Seyarto, Wahab, Wiener

SENATE FLOOR: 40-0, 5/25/23

AYES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 80-0, 9/13/23 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Community colleges: Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) programs

SOURCE: Faculty Association for California Community Colleges

DIGEST:

This bill requires the California Community College (CCC) Board of Governors (BOG) to adopt regulations for the establishment and implementation of Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) programs.

Assembly Amendments

clarify operational goals and delete program management and use of funds requirements.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the CCC under the administration of the BOG of the CCC, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. The CCC shall be comprised of community college districts. (Education Code (EDC) Section 70900)
2. Establishes that CCC districts are under the control of a board of trustees, known as the governing board, who has the authority to establish, maintain, operate, and govern one or more community colleges, within its district as specified. Permits districts to establish policies for and approve courses of instruction and educational programs. (EDC Section 70902)
3. Requires, under the Seymour-Campbell Student Success Act of 2012, that the Chancellor’s Office of the CCC make available on its internet website a dashboard containing data on student progression and completion of transfer-level English, mathematics, and English as a Second Language courses, disaggregated by community and the specified student groups including MESA program students. (EDC Section 78213.1 (a)(9))
4. Requires, under the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act, that the CCC and the California State University (CSU), to develop a student centered communication and marketing strategy in order to increase the visibility of the associate degree for transfer pathway for all students in California that includes, but not limited to, targeted outreach to first-year students through campus orientations and campus student support services programs that may include Federal TRIO Programs, First-Generation Experience, MESA, and Puente. (EDC Section 66748.5)
5. Provides that the Budget Acts of 2021 and 2022 provide a total of $36.4 million in ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund for CCC MESA programs and requires a community college district to use their local or other resources to match state funding.

This bill:

1. Requires that the BOG adopt regulations for the operation of MESA programs at community colleges that align with the programmatic components of MESA programs and provides that the operation of MESA programs and the regulations adopted by the BOG accomplish all of the following goals:
   1. Increase the number of socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in STEM majors who are eligible to transfer to four-year higher education institutions.
   2. Implement efficient processes, practices, and use existing college transfer centers to achieve greater MESA program student transfer to four-year education institutions.
   3. Implementation strategies to increase the rate at which MESA program students are deemed transfer-ready in STEM majors to four-year higher education institutions.
   4. Improve the academic performance of MESA program students.
   5. Increase the leadership skills and raising the educational expectations of MESA program students.
   6. Strengthen relationships with educators and prospective employers in business and industry.
   7. Establish partnerships with University of California (UC) and CSU mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement programs and Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement College Preparatory programs California Alliance for Minority Participation programs, or similar programs in an effort to provide optimal student support services.
   8. Implement strategies to collaborate with campus programs, such as the Student Equity and Achievement Program and the Student Success and Support Program, to leverage additional resources and opportunities for MESA program students and ensure that MESA programs are integrated into campus culture and infrastructure.
2. Requires that the support provided by a community college for the MESA program supplement, but not supplant, the regular educational programs offered by the college to encourage and support the enrollment of MESA program students who seek a baccalaureate degree in STEM majors at four-year higher education institutions.
3. Prohibits the governing board of a community college district from using funds received from the state for the operation and administration of MESA programs to supplant existing college resources, programs, or services. The governing board may use MESA program funds to meet the matching requirements to receive federal funds, or funds granted by nonprofit foundations, designated for the same purposes as described in this bill.
4. Makes various statements about the Legislature’s intent, including that the CCC recognize its responsibility for supporting programs that enhance educational opportunities for STEM majors, and for producing a diverse pool of baccalaureate degree graduates in STEM majors by preparing students for transfer to four-year higher education institutions.
5. Defines various terms for purposes of this bill including, “STEM majors,” to mean Calculus-based science, technology, engineering and mathematics academic fields.

Comments

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, “Under SB 444, the Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) Program will be codified into the education code thereby providing the stability and evaluation necessary to serve students across the state. In addition, it will ensure that existing funding for this program is utilized for the operation and administration of MESA programs, services, and its students. The bill would require the Board of Governors to adopt regulations for purposes of MESA programs and would require those regulations to be consistent with specified requirements. This bill requires that these regulations accomplish certain goals regarding support for underserved and underrepresented students pursuing STEM degrees.”
2. Related Budget Activity. AB 178 (Ting, Chapter 45, Statutes of 2022), the 2022 Budget Act provided up to $36.4 million in funding to allow all colleges to establish and support CCC MESA programs. It required funds to be made available to students on all community college campuses in order to improve California’s STEM workforce while also assisting the state and nation in closing equity and achievement gaps. It also directed the Community College Chancellor’s Office to distribute funds to each MESA program on an annual basis and to establish a minimum allocation for each program. Community college districts must contribute matching funds from local or other sources. AB 178 was silent on program objectives and of expectation for its operation. This bill sets program goals and establishes guidelines for using state funds to supplement rather than replace existing community college district resources, programs or services available to MESA program students.
3. MESA Program Supports Student Success in STEM. MESA was established in 1970 to help educationally disadvantaged students in California in pursuing careers as engineers, scientists and other math-based professionals in order to help meet industry needs. Today its mission is to help underserved and under-representative students in achieving success in STEM studies and careers. MESA programs are state funded and its statewide office operates under the UC Office of the President. The program serves students in middle school, high school, community college and universities. MESA offers enrichment activities, hands-on competitions, counseling, academic support, industry involvement, and a supportive community environment to students. It has received numerous awards from the White House, industry and other organizations over the last 25 years, including recognition as one of the nation’s top mentoring programs by the National Science Foundation, named among the five most innovative public programs in the nation by the Ford Foundation, named among the top national programs proven to help K-12 students to achieve in STEM fields by Bayer Corporation, and named a national semifinalist for its outstanding community college work by Excelencia in Education. The objectives outlined in this bill appear to align with those established by statewide MESA for their community college programs.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, one-time General Fund costs of between about $37,000 and $117,000 for the CCC Chancellor's Office to update existing policies and procedures and make regulatory changes.

SUPPORT: (Verified 9/13/23)

Faculty Association for California Community Colleges

Community College Association of Mesa Directors

Rio Hondo College

San Jose-evergreen Community College District

Student Senate for California Community Colleges

OPPOSITION: (Verified 9/13/23)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 80-0, 9/13/23

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas

Prepared by: Olgalilia Ramirez / ED. / (916) 651-4105

9/14/23 10:58:57

**** END ****

SENATE THIRD READING

STR Bill Id:SB 444

Author:(Newman)

As Amended Ver:September 1, 2023

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires the California Community College (CCC) Board of Governors to adopt regulations for the establishment and implementation of Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) programs.

Major Provisions

1. Defines four-year higher education institutions, MESA program, and STEM Majors.
2. Makes an array of declaration as to the intention of the Legislature with regards to the role of MESA programs and that budgetary categorical funding for MESA programs be provided in the annual budget for the purpose of establishing, expanding, and developing MESA programs at community colleges.
3. Requires the Board of Governors of the CCC to adopt regulations for the operation of MESA programs that specifically align with the programmatic components of MESA programs. The regulations will accomplish the following goals:
   1. Increase the number of socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged students pursuing bachelor's degrees in STEM majors who are eligible to transfer;
   2. Implement efficient processes and practices and use existing college transfer centers to achieve greater MESA program student transfer to four-year higher education institutions;
   3. Implement strategies to increase the rate at which MESA program students are deemed transfer-ready in STEM majors;
   4. Improve the academic performance of MESA program students;
   5. Increase the leadership skills and raise the educational expectations of MESA program students;
   6. Strengthen relationships between educators and prospective employers in business and industry for the purpose of establishing student internships, scholarships, and other career opportunities for MESA program students;
   7. Establish partnerships with the University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU) MESA programs and MESA college preparatory programs, California Alliance for Minority Participation, or similar programs in an effort to provide optimal student support services; and,
   8. Implement strategies to collaborate with campus programs to leverage additional resources and opportunities for MESA students and to ensure that MESA programs are integrated into campus culture and infrastructure.
4. Clarifies that supports provided by MESA programs are meant to complement and not replace regular educational programs offered by the college to encourage and support the enrollment of MESA program students who wish to progress to a bachelor's degree program.
5. Prohibits the governing board of the community college from using the funds from the state for MESA programs to supplant funding from other programs or existing resources. Permits the governing board to use the MESA program funds to meet the matching requirements to receive federal funds or funds granted by nonprofit foundations if the funds are designated for the same purpose as described above.

COMMENTS

What would this measure do? The measure would establish statewide requirements for MESA programs at the CCC and require the Board of Governors to adopt regulations to ensure the operations of all CCC MESA programs are aligned with the intention of the Legislature to ensure socially economically and educationally disadvantaged students have the support necessary to be successful in pursuing science-based majors. Additionally, the measure would prohibit MESA program funds from supplanting any other regular educational programs offered by the college to support the enrollment of MESA program students in STEM majors. The measure does not require CCC to establish new MESA programs if they do not already have one on campus; rather, this measure would provide alignment to ensure all MESA programs across the 73 districts of the CCC system are operating in a manner that best serves students.

MESA programs. MESA is a nationally recognized educational intervention program designed to assist educationally disadvantaged students to excel in math and science by providing innovative academic support to help these students graduate from college with STEM baccalaureate degrees. The origins of the MESA program began after the civil rights movement when a concerned group of educators and community activists commissioned a study to examine why there were so few Black, Latinx, and Native American students enrolled at the UC Berkeley College of Engineering. As a result of the data collected from the study, the first pre-college intervention was established at Oakland Technical High School with 25 students. The program had the original goals of developing students' academic and leadership skills, raising educational expectations, and instilling confidence in students to help students progress to degrees in STEM.

Funding for MESA programs. In the 2021-2022 budget year, the Legislature and the Governor agreed to provide $10.7 million in ongoing Proposition 98 funding for MESA programs at the CCC. The only requirement for the funding was for qualifying CCCs to provide local matching funds for the funds received from the state categorical MESA funding. In the subsequent budget year, AB 183 (Committee on Budget), Chapter 54, Statute of 2022, increased the amount of ongoing funding to $36.429 million in ongoing Proposition 98 funds for MESA Programs at community colleges. The increase in funding included the removal of matching funds and authorized the funding to be used to support and establish MESA programs for the purpose of enhancing California's STEM workforce while aiding the state and nation in reducing equity and achievement gaps. Additionally, AB 183 (Committee on Budget) authorized the Chancellor's office to ensure the funding provided to community colleges is used to further the MESA program goals; however, the "goals" are not specified in the budget measure, the Education Code, nor in the California Code of Regulations. This measure would standardize programmatic requirements for all MESA programs, including the requirement for the program to have a designated director. Additionally, the measure dictates the director's salary to be paid by the community college district thereby maximizing the use of state-categorical funds for student services provided by the MESA program. In the current year, SB 101 (Senate Committee on Budget), Chapter 12, Statute of 2023, increased the funding for MESA programs at the CCC to $39.4 million annually.

MESA programs at the CCC. As of March 2023, 85 community colleges were awarded programmatic funding to either establish or maintain a MESA program on campus. Each college was awarded $428,578 in the current fiscal year (2022-2023) with future fiscal year projected award amounts equaling $280,000. Fifty-seven of the 72 brick-and-mortar community college districts received state funding for MESA programs. Calbright, the 73 community college district, and online college, does not have a MESA program as it does not offer degrees in the STEM fields.

In order to qualify for state funding each college had to meet the CCC Chancellor's office program components for MESA programs by the end of the first academic year. The requirements are divided into 13 categories ranging from administrative to requiring academic support for MESA students. Many of the goals and requirements of this measure would be realized if the 13 programmatic components are met by the participating community colleges. However, these programmatic components do not exist for all MESA programs, as not all programs are funded with state dollars. Of the 85 programs currently being operated by community colleges, only one is funded entirely by local dollars and therefore, is not beholden to implementing the programmatic components established by the Chancellor's office. By establishing regulations the Board of Governors would establish continuity among MESA programs and ensure the programs are implementing best practices to ensure students are receiving the support required to succeed.

According to the Author

As expressed by the author, "despite recent, significant investments and advances in teaching approaches, there continues to be uneven progress in increasing racial and ethnic diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) jobs. Black and Hispanic workers remain underrepresented in the STEM workforce. Promoting the diversity of experience, background, and perspective that results from increased demographic diversity expands the potential for increases in productivity and wage growth as diverse groups are able to approach a problem differently and with a broader perspective."

The author further expounds that, "MESA programs, by their design, deliberately seek to increase the representation of currently underrepresented populations in the STEM workforce. MESA Programs in Community Colleges use equity-based practices to support first-generation, low-income students (particularly students of color) in the STEM transfer pipeline by offering students academic and transfer counseling, mentorship, professional and workforce development, and opportunities for networking, internships, and research. Under SB 444, the MESA program will be codified into the California Education code, thereby providing the stability and ongoing evaluation necessary to best serve students across the state."

Arguments in Support

As explained by the sponsors of the measure, the Community College Association of MESA Directors, "The proposed bill, SB 444, is an important step towards ensuring our programs are sustained locally, so MESA can be there for our students. By codifying MESA into (the education) code, the program will receive greater recognition and support. The MESA program has a proven track record of success, and it has helped many students overcome the barriers that prevent them from pursuing careers in STEM fields."

Additionally, the sponsors add, "a lack of statutory protection for MESA has resulted in years of inadequate and delayed funding, insufficient evaluation, and instability, despite the program's high success rate and benefits for students. This bill would prevent community college districts from diverting money meant for MESA programs, services, and students. The bill will not only boost students' ability to thrive and explore new opportunities within STEM, but it will also significantly contribute to the expansion of California's STEM workforce and aid the state in eliminating equity and achievement disparities."

Arguments in Opposition

As stated by the Shasta-Tehama-Trinity Joint Community College District, who is in opposition unless amended, "When SB444 was amended on June 29th, the amendment included the provision that community college districts fund MESA program director positions from their general fund. At Shasta-Tehama-Trinity Joint Community College District, we applied as a new college to host a MESA program with the provision that this position is funded by the categorical fund program. This proposed funding shift will jeopardize our district's budget and negatively impact our ability to remain compliant with the 50% Law. We ask that you maintain this source of funding or allow flexibility so individual districts can determine which funding source makes the most sense for them."

The amendments taken in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations would resolve the issues addressed by Shasta-Tehama-Trinity Joint Community College District.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, one-time General Fund costs of between about $37,000 and $117,000 for the CCC Chancellor's Office to update existing policies and procedures and make regulatory changes.

VOTES

SENATE FLOOR: 40-0-0

YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk

ASM HIGHER EDUCATION: 11-0-1

YES: Mike Fong, Ta, Addis, Arambula, Gabriel, Irwin, Ortega, Sanchez, Santiago, Wallis, Weber

ABS, ABST OR NV: Low

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 11-0-5

YES: Holden, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Mike Fong, Hart, Lowenthal, Papan, Pellerin, Weber, Wilson

ABS, ABST OR NV: Megan Dahle, Dixon, Mathis, Sanchez, Soria

UPDATED

VERSION: September 1, 2023

CONSULTANT: Ellen Cesaretti-Monroy / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960 FN: 0001586

Date of Hearing: August 23, 2023

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Chris Holden, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 444

Author:(Newman) – As Amended Ver:June 29, 2023

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

SUMMARY:

This bill codifies requirements for the Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) programs at California Community Colleges (CCC) and makes changes to the funding requirements of the program.

Specifically, this bill requires the CCC Board of Governors to adopt regulations for MESA programs that align with the programmatic components of current MESA programs, such as increasing the number of disadvantaged students pursuing four-year degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) majors, improving the academic performance of MESA program students, and increasing student leadership skills. The bill also requires a MESA program to be managed by a full-time program director at each CCC and requires that CCCs receiving grants from MESA program funding in the Budget Act do not use more than 15% of their grant to support the salary of the program director. The bill also requires instructors, counselors, and other staff at the CCC to provide support to the program director.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. Ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund costs to CCC MESA programs of an unknown amount, potentially in the millions of dollars annually, to support a larger portion of the MESA program director’s salary from their general purpose funds.

Current law allows a MESA grant recipient to use any amount of its MESA grant to support a program director salary, while this bill allows a MESA grant recipient to use no more than 15% of its state grant to support a program director. 85 colleges currently receive $280,000 annually for MESA programs. Assuming grant recipients would otherwise fund the entirety of the program director’s salary with MESA grant funds absent this bill and fund 15% of the program director’s salary with MESA grant funds as a result of this bill, costs to CCC general purpose funds would be about $9 million annually across programs. This also assumes the average salary of a program director is $155,000. Costs could be less to the extent a CCC is not using MESA grant funds, or is using a portion less than 15%, to support its program director’s salary.

1. One-time General Fund costs of between about $37,000 and $117,000 for the CCC Chancellor’s Office to update existing policies and procedures and make regulatory changes.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author:

Under SB 444, the Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) Program will be codified into the education code thereby providing the stability and evaluation necessary to serve students across the state. In addition, it will ensure that existing funding for this program is utilized for the operation and administration of MESA programs, services, and its students.

1. Background. MESA was established more than 40 years ago with the mission to help underserved and under-represented students achieve success in STEM fields. School districts, CCCs, and four-year universities have MESA programs. MESA programs provide students with enrichment activities, counseling, academic support, industry connections, and a supportive community.

The Budget Act of 2020 provided $2.5 million, the Budget Act of 2021 provided $11 million, the Budget Act of 2022 provided $36 million, and the Budget Act of 2023 provides $39 million for the CCC Chancellor’s Office to award grants to CCC MESA programs. The CCC Chancellor’s Office indicates $280,000 in ongoing funding from the budget is going to 85 CCCs through the 2026-27 fiscal year. Prior to the 2022 budget allocation, budget bill language required MESA grant recipients to match state funding. The 2022 and 2023 budget allocations do not require a match. In addition, in all cases, the budget was silent on program objectives and expectations.

This bill would establish program goals, specify the program director’s role, and establish guidelines for MESA grant funds.

1. Opposition. This bill is opposed by several CCC districts who voice concerns with the requirement that no more than 15% of MESA grant funding support a program director salary. These CCCs indicate they are spending more than 15% of the $280,000 they receive on program director salaries and that applying this rule after they have already executed contracts for their MESA programs will be costly to their general purpose funds, among other concerns. The rationale for the 15% cap is to ensure MESA programs are using a significant amount of state funding on other staff and program services for students participating in MESA programs.

Analysis Prepared by: Natasha Collins / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: June 27, 2023

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Mike Fong, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 444

Author:(Newman) – As Amended Ver:March 23, 2023

SENATE VOTE: 40-0

SUBJECT: Community colleges: Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) programs

SUMMARY: Requires the California Community College (CCC) Board of Governors to adopt regulations for the establishment and implementation of Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) programs and establishes statewide standards for the operation of MESA programs for the purpose of expanding access to and increasing success in MESA programs for community college students. Specifically, this bill:

1. Defines the following:
   1. “Four-year higher education institution” means a four-year baccalaureate degree program offered at the University of California (UC), the California State University (CSU), or an independent institution of higher education, as defined;
   2. “MESA programs” means Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement programs established at community colleges to help underserved and underrepresented students majoring in calculus-based science, technology, engineering, and mathematics academic fields who seek to transfer to four-year higher education institutions; and,
   3. “STEM majors” means calculus-based science, technology, engineering, and mathematics academic fields approved by the National Science Foundation.
2. Makes an array of declarations regarding the intention of the Legislature, including the following:
   1. The CCC will recognize the responsibility for supporting programs that enhance educational opportunities for STEM majors and produce a diverse pool of baccalaureate degree graduates in STEM Majors by preparing students for transfer to a four-year education institution;
   2. The CCCs are encouraged to establish MESA programs that identify and serve students who are affected by social, economic, and educational disadvantages. The MESA programs are meant to increase the number of students served by the MESA program and increase the number of students who successfully matriculate to a degree at a four-year higher education institution; and,
   3. Clarifies the MESA programs are not to be viewed as the only means of meeting related student and employee diversity objects and for providing services to socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged STEM majors who are eligible to transfer to a four-year higher education institution.
3. Requires the Board of Governors of the CCC to adopt regulations for the operation of MESA programs. The regulations will accomplish the following goals:
   1. Increase the number of socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in STEM majors who are eligible to transfer;
   2. Implement efficient processes and practices and use existing college transfer centers to achieve greater MESA program student transfer to four-year higher education institutions;
   3. Implement strategies to increase the rate at which MESA program students are deemed transfer-ready in STEM majors;
   4. Improve the academic performance of MESA program students;
   5. Increase the leadership skills and raise the educational expectations of MESA program students;
   6. Strengthen relationships between educators and prospective employers in business and industry for the purpose of establishing student internships, scholarships, and other career opportunities for MESA program students;
   7. Establish partnerships with the UC and CSU MESA programs and MESA college preparatory programs, California Alliance for Minority Participation, or similar programs in an effort to provide optimal student support services; and,
   8. Implement strategies to collaborate with campus programs to leverage additional resources and opportunities for MESA students and to ensure that MESA programs are integrated into campus culture and infrastructure.
4. Clarifies that supports provided by MESA programs are meant to complement and not replace regular educational programs offered by the college to encourage and support the enrollment of MESA program students who wish to progress to a bachelor’s degree program.
5. Requires a MESA program established pursuant to this measure to have a program director at the college. The program director will be a full-time position whose sole responsibility will be to administer the MESA program. The program director’s salary will be funded by the governing board of the community college district. Permits instructors, counselors, and other staff at the community college to provide support to the program director as determined by the governing board of the community college. Staff support of the MESA program will not preclude them from participating in other programs at the college.
6. Prohibits the governing board of the community college from using the funds from the state for MESA programs to supplant funding from other programs or existing resources. Permits the governing board to use the MESA program funds to meet the matching requirements to receive federal funds or funds granted by nonprofit foundations if the funds are designated for the same purpose as described above.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the CCC under the administration of the BOG of the CCC, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in California. The CCC shall be comprised of community college districts (Education Code (EDC) Section 70900).
2. Establishes that CCC districts are under the control of a board of trustees, known as the governing board, who has the authority to establish, maintain, operate, and govern one or more community colleges, within its district as specified. Permits districts to establish policies for and the approval of courses of instruction and educational programs (EDC Section 70902).
3. Requires the Chancellor’s Office of CCC, beginning July 1, 2023, to provide a multiyear database on student progression and completion of transfer-level English, mathematics, and English as a Second Language courses, disaggregated by community college and by various student groups including MESA program students (EDC Section 78213.1).
4. Requires the CCC and the CSU to collaborate with various stakeholders including students and faculty, to develop a student-centered communication and marketing strategy to increase the visibility of associate degrees for transfer for all students in California. The strategy shall include but is not limited to, outreach to high schools, information on pathways displayed at counseling offices and transfer centers, and targeted outreach to first-year students through orientation and student support service programs including MESA programs (EDC Section 66748.5).

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Committee on Appropriations:

1. The Chancellor’s Office estimates ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund costs of about $23.3 million as a result of this measure. Of this amount, $5.3 million would be needed to design a new academic program for the state’s 116 local community colleges. The remaining amount of $18.0 million would be needed for each college to hire a full-time MESA program director assuming a cost of $155,000 each. However, because the bill does not specify how it would operationalize some of the intent language such as enrollment strategies into the MESA program and the provision of program supports (e.g. tutoring), the Chancellor’s Office indicates that the costs could be higher.
2. The Chancellor’s Office also indicates that the bill could result in one-time General Fund costs of approximately $113,000 to adopt new regulations for the program and to comply with the Student Success Act of 2021 requirements.

COMMENTS: Purpose of the measure. As expressed by the author, “despite recent, significant investments and advances in teaching approaches, there continues to be uneven progress in increasing racial and ethnic diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) jobs. Black and Hispanic workers remain underrepresented in the STEM workforce. Promoting the diversity of experience, background, and perspective that results from increased demographic diversity expands the potential for increases in productivity and wage growth as diverse groups are able to approach a problem differently and with a broader perspective.”

The author further expounds that, “MESA programs, by their design, deliberately seek to increase the representation of currently underrepresented populations in the STEM workforce. MESA Programs in Community Colleges use equity-based practices to support first-generation, low-income students (particularly students of color) in the STEM transfer pipeline by offering students academic and transfer counseling, mentorship, professional and workforce development, and opportunities for networking, internships, and research. Under SB 444, the MESA program will be codified into the California Education code, thereby providing the stability and ongoing evaluation necessary to best serve students across the state.”

The measure would establish statewide requirements for MESA programs at the CCC and require the Board of Governors to adopt regulations to ensure the operations of all CCC MESA programs are aligned with the intention of the Legislature to ensure socially economically and educationally disadvantaged students have the support necessary to be successful in pursuing science-based majors. Additionally, the measure would prohibit MESA program funds from supplanting any other regular educational programs offered by the college to support the enrollment of MESA program students in STEM majors. The measure does not require CCC to establish new MESA programs if they do not already have one on campus; rather, this measure would provide alignment to ensure all MESA programs across of 73 districts of the CCC system are operating in a manner that best serves students.

MESA programs. MESA is a nationally recognized educational intervention program designed to assist educationally disadvantaged students to excel in math and science by providing innovative academic support to help these students graduate from college with STEM baccalaureate degrees. The origins of the MESA program begin after the civil rights movement when a concerned group of educators and community activists commissioned a study to examine why there were so few Black, Latinx, and Native American students enrolled at the UC Berkeley College of Engineering. As a result of the data collected from the study, the first pre-college intervention was established at Oakland Technical High School with 25 students. The program had the original goals of developing students’ academic and leadership skills, raising educational expectations, and instilling confidence in students to help students progress to degrees in STEM.

What began as an experiment at the Oakland Technical High School in 1970 has since expanded to be the MESA program which has programs across the United States at the K-12 schools, community colleges, and four-year universities.

Source: Mesa.ucop.edu and The CCC Chancellor’s office

Funding for MESA programs. In the 2021-2022 budget year, the Legislature and the Governor agreed to provide $10.7 million in ongoing Proposition 98 funding for MESA programs at the CCC. The only requirement for the funding was for qualifying CCCs to provide local matching funds for the funds received from the state categorical MESA funding. In the subsequent budget year, AB 183 (Committee on Budget), Chapter 54, Statute of 2022, increased the amount of ongoing funding to $36.429 million in ongoing Proposition 98 funds for MESA Programs at community colleges. The increase in funding included the removal of matching funds and authorized the funding to be used to support and establish MESA programs for the purpose of enhancing California’s STEM workforce while aiding the state and nation in reducing equity and achievement gaps. Additionally, AB 183 (Committee on Budget) authorized the Chancellor’s office to ensure the funding provided to community colleges is used to further the MESA program goals; however, the “goals” are not specified in the budget measure, the Education Code, nor in the California Code of Regulations. This measure would standardize programmatic requirements for all MESA programs, including the requirement for the program to have a designated director. Additionally, the measure dictates the director’s salary to be paid by the community college district thereby maximizing the use of state-categorical funds for student services provided by the MESA program.

At the time of this analysis, SB 101 (Senate Committee on Budget), 2023, has increased the funding for MESA programs at the CCC to $39.4 million annually. Committee staff notes SB 101 (Senate Committee on Budget) is currently enrolled and has not been signed by the Governor and the allocation amounts are subject to change.

MESA programs at the CCC. As of March 2023, 85 community colleges were awarded programmatic funding to either establish or maintain a MESA program on campus. Each college was awarded $428,578 in the current fiscal year (2022-2023) with future fiscal year projected award amounts equaling $280,000. 57 of the 72 brick-and-mortar community college districts received state funding for MESA programs. Calbright, the 73 community college district, and online college, does not have a MESA program as it does not offer degrees in the STEM fields.

Of the 85 CCCs receiving state funding for MESA programs, 34 are under the restrictions of the 2021-2022 Budget Act which required community colleges to match state-provided categorical funding with local funds. The 2022-2023 Budget Act changed this and instead permitted community colleges to access the State allocated funds for MESA programs without the local match requirement. However, since the 2022-2023 Budget Act indicates that CCCs cannot supplant existing funding from a prior program, the original 34 CCCs are still required to use their local “matching dollars” to fund the MESA director. The remaining 51 CCCs who received funding under the 2022-2023 Budget Act are permitted to use MESA categorical funds to implement MESA programs without the local matching requirement and reserve the majority of the funding for the program director position. AB 444 (Newman) would provide parity between all CCCs,by requiring the MESA program director’s salary to be paid by the community college district instead of by the campus or by categorical MESA funding provided to the community college campus.

In order to qualify for state funding each college had to meet the CCC Chancellor’s office program components for MESA programs by the end of the first academic year. The requirements are divided into 13 categories ranging from administrative to required academic supports. Specific requirements in each of the 13 categories include, but are not limited to:

• A full-time permanent MESA Program director with no other responsibilities outside of directing the MESA program;
• A designated space on campus for the students including rooms for studying/tutoring and a location with lockers for supplies;
• Student support services including personal academic advising, skill development training, tutoring services, book and equipment loan activities, computer lab work, and assistance in applying for scholarships;
• Clustering of students into the same mathematics, engineering, and science classes including labs and discussion groups;
• Provide academic counseling with designated MESA counselors;
• Student outreach and recruitment efforts strategies; and,
• Partnerships with CSU and UC MESA programs to ensure the smooth transfer for MESA students.

Many of the goals and requirements of this measure would be realized if the 13 programmatic components are met by the participating community colleges. However, these programmatic components do not exist for all MESA programs, as not all programs are funded with state dollars. Of the 85 programs currently being operated by community colleges, only one is funded entirely by local dollars and therefore, is not beholden to implementing the programmatic components established by the Chancellor’s office. By establishing regulations the Board of Governors would establish continuity among MESA programs and ensure the programs are implementing best practices to ensure students are receiving the support required to succeed.

Arguments in support. As explained by the sponsors of the measure, the Community College Association of MESA Directors, “The proposed bill, SB 444, is an important step towards ensuring our programs are sustained locally, so MESA can be there for our students. By codifying MESA into (the education) code, the program will receive greater recognition and support. The MESA program has a proven track record of success, and it has helped many students overcome the barriers that prevent them from pursuing careers in STEM fields.”

Additionally, the sponsors add, “a lack of statutory protection for MESA has resulted in years of inadequate and delayed funding, insufficient evaluation, and instability, despite the program's high success rate and benefits for students. This bill would prevent community college districts from diverting money meant for MESA programs, services, and students. The bill will not only boost students' ability to thrive and explore new opportunities within STEM, but it will also significantly contribute to the expansion of California's STEM workforce and aid the state in eliminating equity and achievement disparities.”

Amendments. After conversations with the Chancellor’s office, the sponsors of the measure, and the author’s office, the following amendments were suggested by the Committee and accepted by the author to provide clarity as to the bill’s intentions:

1. Amends Section 88682, subdivision (a), subparagraph (4) to clarify the Legislature’s intention regarding the use of MESA program funding provided in the annual budget act –

(4) The Legislature further intends that the establishment, expansion, and development of MESA programs and services are essential to the development of the cultural, social, economic, intellectual, scientific, and technological resources of the state. The Legislature further intends the categorical funding for MESA programs provided in the annual Budget Act for community colleges to be used for the establishment, expansion, and development of MESA programs and services for the purpose of enhancing California’s STEM workforce while aiding the state and nation in reducing equity and achievement gaps.

1. Amends Section 88682, subdivision (b) to clarify the intention of the bill to have the Board of Governors adopt regulations for MESA programs that align with existing programmatic components for MESA programs –

(b) The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges shall adopt regulations for purposes of this part. The operation of MESA programs and the regulations adopted by the board of governors shall be consistent with this part and accomplish all of the following goals: The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges shall adopt regulations for the operation of MESA programs at community colleges that align with the programmatic components of MESA programs. The operation of MESA programs and the regulations adopted by the board of governors shall accomplish all of the following goals:

1. Amends Section 88682, subdivision (d), subparagraph (1), (2), and (3), to clarify the salary of the MESA program director is not paid for by the community college district and can use only a limited portion of state categorical funding provided for MESA programs for the MESA director. Amends the language as follows:

(d) (1) A MESA program established pursuant to this part shall be managed by a program director at the college. The program director shall be a full-time employment position. The program director’s sole responsibility at the college shall be to administer the MESA program. The program director’s salary shall be funded by the governing board of the community college district.

(2) A community college that has received funding from the Annual Budget Act for a MESA program shall not use more than fifteen percent of the funds for the salary of the program director.

(3) (2) Instructors, counselors, and other staff at the community college shall provide support to the program director as determined by the governing board of the community college district. Staff support in a MESA program shall not preclude their participation in any other program offered by the community college district.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Anaheim Chamber of Commerce

California Faculty Association

California Teachers Association

Community College Association of Mesa Directors

San Jose-evergreen Community College District

Student Senate for California Community Colleges

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Ellen Cesaretti-Monroy / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: SB 444

Author: Newman (D)

Amended: 3/23/23

Vote: 21

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 7-0, 3/22/23

AYES: Newman, Ochoa Bogh, Cortese, Glazer, McGuire, Smallwood-Cuevas, Wilk

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 5/18/23

AYES: Portantino, Jones, Ashby, Bradford, Seyarto, Wahab, Wiener

SUBJECT: Community colleges: Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) programs

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill: (1) encourages community colleges to establish and implement Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) programs, (2) requires that the regulations adopted by the Community College Board of Governors (BOG) regarding the operation of community college MESA programs be consistent with, and accomplish the specified goals and; (3) specifies that state funds provided for MESA programs and support that is provided by community colleges supplement existing resources, as specified.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the California Community Colleges (CCC) under the administration of the BOG of the CCC, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. The CCC shall be comprised of community college districts. (Education Code (EDC) Section 70900)
2. Establishes that CCC districts are under the control of a board of trustees, known as the governing board, who has the authority to establish, maintain, operate, and govern one or more community colleges, within its district as specified. Permits districts to establish policies for and approve courses of instruction and educational programs. (EDC Section 70902)
3. Requires, under the Seymour-Campbell Student Success Act of 2012, that the Chancellor’s Office of the CCC make available on its internet website a dashboard containing data on student progression and completion of transfer-level English, mathematics, and English as a Second Language courses, disaggregated by community and the specified student groups including MESA program students. (EDC Section 78213.1 (a)(9))
4. Requires, under the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act, that the CCC and the California State University (CSU), to develop a student centered communication and marketing strategy in order to increase the visibility of the associate degree for transfer pathway for all students in California that includes, but not limited to, targeted outreach to first-year students through campus orientations and campus student support services programs that may include Federal TRIO Programs, First-Generation Experience, MESA, and Puente. (EDC Section 66748.5)
5. Provides that the Budget Acts of 2021 and 2022 provide a total of $36.4 million in ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund for CCC MESA programs and requires a community college district to use their local or other resources to match state funding.

This bill:

1. Requires that the BOG adopt regulations to accomplish the following goals in the operation of the MESA program:
   1. Increase the number of socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in STEM majors who are eligible to transfer to four-year higher education institutions.
   2. Implementing efficient processes, practices, and use existing college transfer centers to achieve greater MESA program student transfer to four-year education institutions.
   3. Implementation strategies to increase the rate at which MESA program students are deemed transfer-ready in STEM majors to four-year higher education institutions.
   4. Improving the academic performance of MESA program students.
   5. Increasing the leadership skills and raising the educational expectations of MESA program students.
   6. Strengthening relationships with educators and prospective employers in business and industry.
   7. Establishing partnerships with University of California (UC) and CSU mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement programs and Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement College Preparatory programs California Alliance for Minority Participation programs, or similar programs in an effort to provide optimal student support services.
   8. Implementing strategies to collaborate with campus programs, such as the Student Equity and Achievement Program and the Student Success and Support Program, to leverage additional resources and opportunities for MESA program students and ensure that MESA programs are integrated into campus culture and infrastructure.
2. Requires that the MESA program be managed by a college director and that the director position:
   1. Be a full-time employment position.
   2. Be solely responsible for the administration of the MESA program.
   3. Have its salary paid for by the governing board of the community college district.
   4. Be supported by instructors, counselors, and other community college staff. The bill provides that staff support in a MESA program does not preclude their participation in any other community college program.
3. Requires that the support provided by a community college for the MESA program supplement, but not supplant, the regular educational programs offered by the college to encourage and support the enrollment of MESA program students who seek a baccalaureate degree in STEM majors at four-year higher education institutions.
4. Prohibits the governing board of a community college district from using funds received from the state for the operation and administration of MESA programs to supplant existing college resources, programs, or services. The governing board may use MESA program funds to meet the matching requirements to receive federal funds, or funds granted by nonprofit foundations, designated for the same purposes as described in the bill.
5. Makes various statements about the Legislature’s intent, including that the CCC recognize its responsibility for supporting programs that enhance educational opportunities for STEM majors, and for producing a diverse pool of baccalaureate degree graduates in STEM majors by preparing students for transfer to four-year higher education institutions.
6. Defines various terms for purposes of the bill including, “STEM majors,” to mean Calculus-based science, technology, engineering and mathematics academic fields approved by the National Science Foundation.

Comments

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, “Under SB 444, the Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) Program will be codified into the education code thereby providing the stability and evaluation necessary to serve students across the state. In addition, it will ensure that existing funding for this program is utilized for the operation and administration of MESA programs, services, and its students. The bill would require the Board of Governors to adopt regulations for purposes of MESA programs and would require those regulations to be consistent with specified requirements. This bill requires that these regulations accomplish certain goals regarding support for underserved and underrepresented students pursuing STEM degrees.”
2. Related Budget Activity. AB 178 (Ting, Chapter 45, Statutes of 2022), the 2022 Budget Act provided up to $36.4 million in funding to allow all colleges to establish and support CCC MESA programs. It required funds to be made available to students on all community college campuses in order to improve California’s STEM workforce while also assisting the state and nation in closing equity and achievement gaps. It also directed the Community College Chancellor’s Office to distribute funds to each MESA program on an annual basis and to establish a minimum allocation for each program. Community college districts must contribute matching funds from local or other sources. AB 178 was silent on program objectives and of expectation for its operation. This bill sets program goals, solidifies the program director’s role, and establishes guidelines for using state funds to supplement rather than replace existing community college district resources, programs or services available to MESA program students.
3. MESA Program Supports Student Success in STEM. MESA was established in 1970 to help educationally disadvantaged students in California in pursuing careers as engineers, scientists and other math-based professionals in order to help meet industry needs. Today its mission is to help underserved and under-representative students in achieving success in STEM studies and careers. MESA programs are state funded and its statewide office operates under the UC Office of the President. The program serves students in middle school, high school, community college and universities. MESA offers enrichment activities, hands-on competitions, counseling, academic support, industry involvement, and a supportive community environment to students. It has received numerous awards from the White House, industry and other organizations over the last 25 years, including recognition as one of the nation’s top mentoring programs by the National Science Foundation, named among the five most innovative public programs in the nation by the Ford Foundation, named among the top national programs proven to help K-12 students to achieve in STEM fields by Bayer Corporation, and named a national semifinalist for its outstanding community college work by Excelencia in Education. The goals outlined in this bill appear to be consistent with the goals established by statewide MESA for their community college programs.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

• The Chancellor’s Office estimates ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund costs of about $23.3 million as a result of this measure. Of this amount, $5.3 million would be needed to design a new academic program for the state’s 116 local community colleges. The remaining amount of $18.0 million would be needed for each college to hire a full-time MESA program director assuming a cost of $155,000 each. However, because this bill does not specify how it would operationalize some of the intent language such as enrollment strategies into the MESA program and the provision of program supports (e.g. tutoring), the Chancellor’s Office indicates that the costs could be higher.
• The Chancellor’s Office also indicates that this bill could result in one-time General Fund costs of approximately $113,000 to adopt new regulations for the program and to comply with Student Success Act of 2021 requirements.

SUPPORT: (Verified 5/18/23)

Community College Association of Mesa Directors

Rio Hondo College

San Jose-evergreen Community College District

Student Senate for California Community Colleges

OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/18/23)

None received

Prepared by: Olgalilia Ramirez / ED. / (916) 651-4105

5/20/23 12:51:32

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Anthony Portantino, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular Session

SB 444 (Newman) - Community colleges: Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) programs

Bill Summary:

This bill would codify provisions of the Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) program, including the establishment of program goals and specifying the role of the program director. This bill also encourages community colleges to establish and implement MESA programs.

Fiscal Impact:

• The Chancellor’s Office estimates ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund costs of about $23.3 million as a result of this measure. Of this amount, $5.3 million would be needed to design a new academic program for the state’s 116 local community colleges. The remaining amount of $18.0 million would be needed for each college to hire a full-time MESA program director assuming a cost of $155,000 each. However, because the bill does not specify how it would operationalize some of the intent language such as enrollment strategies into the MESA program and the provision of program supports (e.g. tutoring), the Chancellor’s Office indicates that the costs could be higher.
• The Chancellor’s Office also indicates that the bill could result in one-time General Fund costs of approximately $113,000 to adopt new regulations for the program and to comply with Student Success Act of 2021 requirements.

Background:

Existing law provides that under the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act, the California Community Colleges (CCCs) and the California State University (CSU), shall develop a student centered communication and marketing strategy in order to increase the visibility of the associate degree for transfer pathway for all students in California that includes, but not limited to, targeted outreach to first-year students through campus orientations and campus student support services programs that may include Federal TRIO Programs, First-Generation Experience, MESA, and Puente.

The MESA program was established in 1970 to help educationally disadvantaged students in California in pursuing careers as engineers, scientists and other math-based professionals in order to help meet industry needs. Today its mission is to help underserved and under-representative students in achieving success in STEM studies and careers. MESA programs are state funded and its statewide office operates under the UC Office of the President. The program serves students in middle school, high school, community college and universities. MESA offers enrichment activities, hands-on competitions, counseling, academic support, industry involvement, and a supportive community environment to students. It has received numerous awards from the White House, industry and other organizations over the last 25 years, including recognition as one of the nation’s top mentoring programs by the National Science Foundation, being named among the five most innovative public programs in the nation by the Ford Foundation, being named among the top national programs proven to help K-12 students to achieve in STEM fields by Bayer Corporation, and being named a national semifinalist for its outstanding community college work by Excelencia in Education.

Proposed Law:

This bill requires that the BOG adopt regulations to accomplish specified goals in the operation of the MESA program, including:

1. Increase the number of socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in STEM majors who are eligible to transfer to four-year higher education institutions.
2. Implementing efficient processes, practices, and use existing college transfer centers to achieve greater MESA program student transfer to four-year education institutions.
3. Implementation strategies to increase the rate at which MESA program students are deemed transfer-ready in STEM majors to four-year higher education institutions.
4. Improving the academic performance of MESA program students.

This bill requires that the MESA program be managed by a college director and that the director position: be a full-time employment position; be solely responsible for the administration of the MESA program; have its salary paid for by the governing board of the community college district; and be supported by instructors, counselors, and other community college staff. The bill provides that staff support in a MESA program does not preclude their participation in any other community college program.

This bill requires that the support provided by a community college for the MESA program supplement, but not supplant, the regular educational programs offered by the college to encourage and support the enrollment of MESA program students who seek a baccalaureate degree in STEM majors at four-year higher education institutions.

This bill prohibits the governing board of a community college district from using funds received from the state for the operation and administration of MESA programs to supplant existing college resources, programs, or services. The governing board may use MESA program funds to meet the matching requirements to receive federal funds, or funds granted by nonprofit foundations, designated for the same purposes as described in the bill.

Staff Comments:

The Budget Acts of 2021 and 2022 provide a total of $36.4 million (Proposition 98 General Fund) for CCC MESA programs and requires a community college district to use their local or other resources to match state funding.

It requires funds to be made available to students on all community college campuses in order to improve California’s STEM workforce while also assisting the state and nation in closing equity and achievement gaps. It also directed the Community College Chancellor’s Office to distribute funds to each MESA program on an annual basis and to establish a minimum allocation for each program. Community college districts must contribute matching funds from local or other sources.

The budget was silent on program objectives and expectations. This bill would establish program goals, specify the program director’s role, and establish guidelines for using state funds to supplement rather than replace existing community college district resources.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Senator Josh Newman, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular

Bill No: SB 444 Hearing Date: March 22, 2023

Subject: Community colleges: Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) programs.

SUMMARY

This bill: 1) encourages community colleges to establish and implement Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) programs, 2) requires that the regulations adopted by the Community College Board of Governors (BOG) regarding the operation of community college MESA programs be consistent with, and accomplish the specified goals and; 3) specifies that state funds provided for MESA programs and support that is provided by community colleges supplement existing resources, as specified.

BACKGROUND

Existing law:

1. Establishes the California Community Colleges (CCC) under the administration of the BOG of the CCC, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. The CCC shall be comprised of community college districts. (Education Code (EDC) Section 70900)
2. Establishes that CCC districts are under the control of a board of trustees, known as the governing board, who has the authority to establish, maintain, operate, and govern one or more community colleges, within its district as specified. Permits districts to establish policies for and approve courses of instruction and educational programs. (EDC Section 70902)
3. Under the Seymour-Campbell Student Success Act of 2012, requires that the Chancellor’s Office of the CCC make available on its internet website a dashboard containing data on student progression and completion of transfer-level English, mathematics, and English as a Second Language courses, disaggregated by community and the specified student groups including MESA program students. (EDC Section 78213.1 (a)(9))
4. Under the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act, requires that the CCC and the California State University (CSU), to develop a student centered communication and marketing strategy in order to increase the visibility of the associate degree for transfer pathway for all students in California that includes, but not limited to, targeted outreach to first-year students through campus orientations and campus student support services programs that may include Federal TRIO Programs, First-Generation Experience, MESA, and Puente. (EDC Section 66748.5)
5. The Budget Acts of 2021 and 2022 provide a total of $36.4 million in ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund for CCC MESA programs and requires a community college district to use their local or other resources to match state funding.

ANALYSIS

This bill:

1. Requires that the BOG adopt regulations to accomplish the following goals in the operation of the MESA program:
   1. Increase the number of socially, economically, and educationally

disadvantaged students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in STEM majors who are eligible to transfer to four-year higher education institutions.

• 1. Implementing efficient processes, practices, and use existing college

transfer centers to achieve greater MESA program student transfer to four-year education institutions.

• 1. Implementation strategies to increase the rate at which MESA program

students are deemed transfer-ready in STEM majors to four-year higher education institutions.

• 1. Improving the academic performance of MESA program students.
  2. Increasing the leadership skills and raising the educational expectations of

MESA program students.

• 1. Strengthening relationships with educators and prospective employers in

business and industry.

• 1. Establishing partnerships with University of California (UC) and CSU

mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement programs and Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement College Preparatory programs California Alliance for Minority Participation programs, or similar programs in an effort to provide optimal student support services.

• 1. Implementing strategies to collaborate with campus programs, such as the

Student Equity and Achievement Program and the Student Success and Support Program, to leverage additional resources and opportunities for MESA program students and ensure that MESA programs are integrated into campus culture and infrastructure.

1. Requires that the MESA program be managed by a college director and that the director position:
   1. Be a full-time employment position.
   2. Be solely responsible for the administration of the MESA program.
   3. Have its salary paid for by the governing board of the community college

district.

• 1. Be supported by instructors, counselors, and other community college

staff. The bill provides that staff support in a MESA program does not preclude their participation in any other community college program.

1. Requires that the support provided by a community college for the MESA program supplement, but not supplant, the regular educational programs offered by the college to encourage and support the enrollment of MESA program students who seek a baccalaureate degree in STEM majors at four-year higher education institutions.
2. Prohibits the governing board of a community college district from using funds received from the state for the operation and administration of MESA programs to supplant existing college resources, programs, or services. The governing board may use MESA program funds to meet the matching requirements to receive federal funds, or funds granted by nonprofit foundations, designated for the same purposes as described in the bill.
3. Makes various statements about the Legislature’s intent, including that the CCC recognize its responsibility for supporting programs that enhance educational opportunities for STEM majors, and for producing a diverse pool of baccalaureate degree graduates in STEM majors.
4. Defines various terms for purposes of the bill including, “STEM majors,” to mean Calculus-based science, technology, engineering and mathematics academic fields approved by the National Science Foundation.

STAFF COMMENTS

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, “Under SB 444, the Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) Program will be codified into the education code thereby providing the stability and evaluation necessary to serve students across the state. In addition, it will ensure that existing funding for this program is utilized for the operation and administration of MESA programs, services, and its students. The bill would require the Board of Governors to adopt regulations for purposes of MESA programs and would require those regulations to be consistent with specified requirements. This bill requires that these regulations accomplish certain goals regarding support for underserved and underrepresented students pursuing STEM degrees.”
2. Related Budget Activity. AB 178 (Ting, Chapter 45, Statutes of 2022), the 2022 Budget Act provided up to $36.4 million in funding to allow all colleges to establish and support CCC MESA programs. It required funds to be made available to students on all community college campuses in order to improve California’s STEM workforce while also assisting the state and nation in closing equity and achievement gaps. It also directed the Community College Chancellor’s Office to distribute funds to each MESA program on an annual basis and to establish a minimum allocation for each program. Community college districts must contribute matching funds from local or other sources. AB 178 was silent on program objectives and of expectation for its operation. This bill sets program goals, solidifies the program director’s role, and establishes guidelines for using state funds to supplement rather than replace existing community college district resources, programs or services available to MESA program students.
3. MESA Program Supports Student Success in STEM. MESA was established in 1970 to help educationally disadvantaged students in California in pursuing careers as engineers, scientists and other math-based professionals in order to help meet industry needs. Today its mission is to help underserved and under-representative students in achieving success in STEM studies and careers. MESA programs are state funded and its statewide office operates under the UC Office of the President. The program serves students in middle school, high school, community college and universities. MESA offers enrichment activities, hands-on competitions, counseling, academic support, industry involvement, and a supportive community environment to students. It has received numerous awards from the White House, industry and other organizations over the last 25 years, including recognition as one of the nation’s top mentoring programs by the National Science Foundation, being named among the five most innovative public programs in the nation by the Ford Foundation, being named among the top national programs proven to help K-12 students to achieve in STEM fields by Bayer Corporation, and being named a national semifinalist for its outstanding community college work by Excelencia in Education. The goals outlined in this bill appear to be consistent with those established by statewide MESA for their community college programs.
4. Technical Amendment. Staff recommends that the bill be amended to clarify legislative intent about the role of community colleges in producing a diverse pool of baccalaureate degree graduates in STEM majors through the student transfer process, as follows:

Education Code Section 88682. (a) (1) It is the intent of the Legislature that the California Community Colleges recognize the responsibility for supporting programs that enhance educational opportunities for STEM majors, and produce a diverse pool of baccalaureate degree graduates in STEM majors by preparing students for transfer to four-year higher education institutions.

SUPPORT

Community College Association of Mesa Directors
Student Senate for California Community Colleges

OPPOSITION

None received

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