California Community College Fully Online Community College - Jan. 11, 2018
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY
COLLEGES OUTLOOK
Driving Social and Economic Mobility
A special edition e-newsletter highlighting California Community Colleges
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http://mailchi.mp/61c2e2ea6694/2i37s5gk8e-649625?e=61ba7ec8fa
CHANCELLOR’S COLUMN
On Wednesday, Gov. Jerry Brown released his 2018-19 budget proposal, which continues
to invest in the California Community Colleges in alignment with the system’s Vision
for Success. Of particular note is the shared commitment by the governor and Board
of Governors to better serve working adults. To that end, the governor is moving forward
with a fully online community college that would operate under a new college district
administered by the Chancellor’s Office.
Too many Californians find themselves economically and educationally stranded in today’s
economy.
By 2020, 65 percent of jobs in the U.S. will require a college credential, according
to estimates by the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce. Artificial intelligence,
the rise of the gig economy and automation are changing the future of work and the
skillsets needed to succeed. There are 2.5 million adults in the prime working ages
of 25 to 34 who have only a high school diploma or some college but no degree. The
vast majority are working and cannot access our traditional college programs.
The California Community Colleges will lead the way for these working learners with
a fully online college to provide skills and credentials they need to improve their
social and economic mobility and move our state forward. This new, competency-based
online college will be unlike any other public online education platform and will
focus predominately on sub-associate degree credentials of value tailored to the needs
of this population.
The online college will not compete for students already being served by community
colleges because these working learners cannot and do not access our traditional college
programs.
Gov. Brown summed it up nicely: "This is targeted to several million people who could
upgrade their skills by taking online courses and maintaining their employment, which
they really need.”
The governor is showing true leadership and tremendous confidence in our system, and
we will fully commit to seeing this approach help more working Californians succeed
in this economy. A broad coalition made up of representatives of organized labor,
employer groups, educators as well as public policy and social justice organizations
has already come out in public support of this approach.
We are also heartened to see the governor propose $46 million to fund legislation
from last year to support first-time, full-time students through the California College
Promise. If approved, these funds would be distributed to community college districts
that satisfy program requirements. The California College Promise, with its component
state and local support structures, are strengthening the college-going culture across
our state.
The governor also is proposing important changes to the way community colleges in
California are funded overall, with a greater focus on student outcomes and more flexibility
for colleges.
Finally, I would like to touch on a decision made earlier this week by a federal district
court in California granting an injunction against the Trump administration’s rescission
of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA allows individuals
who were brought into the United States without documentation as children to remain
in the United States, to work, and to get an education and receive financial aid.
The Board of Governors for the California Community Colleges and I strongly supported
this litigation, and are pleased with this week’s court decision. We understand that
the ruling will be appealed. Nevertheless, individuals who are due to renew their
DACA status, including those who have been unable to renew in recent months, should
apply immediately.