text:
(a) This article shall apply only to the reallocation of bonded indebtedness incurred prior to July 1, 1978.

(b) When a district is reorganized, the liability for taxation for the outstanding bonded indebtedness of the district or the territory affected thereby is as provided in this article. The authorities whose duty it is to levy taxes for the payment of principal and interest on the outstanding bonds shall levy the taxes upon the districts affected in such proportions as are provided in, or are determined under, the authority of this article.

(c) No territory shall be taken from any district having any outstanding bonded indebtedness and made a part of another district where the action, if taken, would so reduce the last equalized assessed valuation of a district from which the territory was taken that the outstanding bonded indebtedness of the district would exceed 5 percent of the assessed valuation remaining in the district for the level maintained, on the date the reorganization is effective.

(d) When any district is in any manner merged with one or more districts so as to form a single district by any procedure, the district so formed is liable for all of the outstanding bonded indebtedness of the districts united or merged.

(e) When territory is taken from one district and transferred to another district and the area transferred contains no college property or buildings, the territory shall drop any liability for outstanding bonded indebtedness in the district of which it was formerly a part and shall automatically assume its proportionate share of the outstanding bonded indebtedness of the district of which it becomes a part.

(f) When territory is taken from one district and transferred to another district by any procedure and the area transferred contains college buildings or property, the district to which the territory is annexed shall take possession of the building and the equipment on the day when the annexation becomes effective for all purposes. The territory transferred shall cease to be liable for the bonded indebtedness of the district of which it was formerly a part and shall automatically assume its proportionate share of the outstanding bonded indebtedness of any district of which it becomes a part.

(g) The acquiring district shall pay the original district the greatest of the amounts determined under paragraph (1) or (2).

(1) The proportionate share of the outstanding bonded indebtedness of the original district, which proportionate share shall be in the ratio which the total assessed valuation of the transferring territory bears to the total assessed valuation of the original district in the year immediately preceding the date on which the annexation is effective for all purposes. This ratio shall be used each year until the bonded indebtedness for which the acquiring district is liable has been repaid.

(2) That portion of the outstanding bonded indebtedness of the original district which was incurred for the acquisition or improvement of school lots or buildings, or fixtures located therein, and situated in the territory transferred.

(h) The county board of supervisors shall compute for the reorganized districts an annual tax rate for bond interest and redemption which will include the bond interest and redemption on the outstanding bonded indebtedness specified in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (g). The tax rate shall be levied in excess of any other ad valorem property tax authorized or required by law and shall not be included in the computation of the limitation specified in subdivision (a) or Section 1 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1372, Sec. 409.)

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

path: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION > 7. COMMUNITY COLLEGES > 46. DISTRICT REORGANIZATION OR FORMATION > 5. Miscellaneous > 4. Bonded Indebtedness of Districts When Reorganized


kind: section

code: EDC

text:
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following steps shall be taken to address the imminent risk that Compton Community College’s accreditation will be terminated by the regional accrediting body recognized by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges:

(a) The Chancellor of the California Community Colleges is authorized to oversee all actions at the Compton Community College District related to the loss of the college’s accreditation and efforts described in this article to address that situation. The Compton Community College District shall reimburse the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges for any expenses incurred by the chancellor or his or her staff in carrying out this oversight responsibility.

(b) The Compton Community College District shall complete the provision of instruction for all classes for which it intends to claim apportionment prior to the date of its loss of accreditation.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Compton Community College District shall continue to be eligible to receive state funding as provided in this article even if its accreditation is terminated.

(d) (1) The Compton Community College District shall identify a partner district that will agree to provide accredited instructional programs to students residing in the Compton Community College District. The special trustee assigned to the Compton Community College District pursuant to Section 71093 and the partner district are authorized to enter into one or more agreements to provide instructional services or other services, and to make any other necessary preparations to implement the educational programs described in this article, as well as any related necessary administrative or support services, in a timely manner so as to ensure that services to Compton Community College students will not be interrupted and that those students will remain eligible for federal financial assistance. The agreement or agreements shall provide that the partner district is entitled to receive a reasonable administrative fee to be fixed by the mutual agreement of the parties.

(2) The partner district shall be a district in good standing with the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), and shall have successfully completed the accreditation cycle and secured accreditation for its colleges. A district with a college that is on warning, probation, or show-cause status with the ACCJC, or that is being monitored for fiscal stability by the chancellor’s office is not considered a district in good standing for the purposes of this article.

(e) The partner district may offer any programs or courses for which it has secured applicable approvals. In addition, any programs and courses that were previously approved by the board of governors to be offered by the Compton Community College District may continue to be offered by the partner district in the territory of the Compton Community College District without additional state approval until June 30, 2011.

(f) No later than 30 days after Compton Community College’s loss of accreditation, the board of governors shall approve the facilities of Compton Community College as an off-campus educational center of the partner district. The center shall be known as the Compton Community Educational Center. The board of governors shall give notice of its approval to the county committee and county superintendent having jurisdiction over any territory affected by the action.

(g) The board of governors may permanently or temporarily waive any of its regulatory requirements necessary to effectuate this article, including, but not necessarily limited to, its regulations regarding educational centers.

(h) The partner district is eligible to provide instruction at the center without the recommendation of the California Postsecondary Education Commission under Section 66904 until the district secures the commission’s recommendation for the facility to operate as an off-campus educational center or until June 30, 2011, whichever occurs first.

(i) The partner district shall comply with all federal requirements to ensure that students taking classes offered by the partner district at the Compton Community Educational Center remain eligible for federal financial assistance.

(j) Students enrolled in the Compton Community College District as of January 31, 2006, shall be subject to the following conditions:

(1) The partner district shall ensure that any student who, by the end of the Spring 2006 term, has completed at least 75 percent of the courses required for the degree or certificate he or she is pursuing will be able to complete that program. Every reasonable effort shall be made to allow other students who have begun work toward a certificate or degree, but who have not completed 75 percent of the required coursework, to continue and complete their programs.

(2) Students enrolling in classes provided by the partner district pursuant to this section shall be considered students of the partner district, shall receive credit from the partner district for classes they successfully complete, shall receive certificates or degrees they earn from the partner district, and shall receive financial aid through the partner district if they meet all applicable eligibility requirements.

(3) The partner district shall maintain student records related to the attendance of students in classes it offers pursuant to this section in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws.

(4) The partner district shall consider each student who enrolls for classes no later than the Spring 2007 term to be a continuing student for purposes of enrollment priorities.

(5) Any regulations of the board of governors relating to minimum residence at the college granting a degree shall not be applicable.

(k) The board of governors shall adopt any regulations necessary to implement this article. These regulations may be adopted as emergency regulations that may remain in effect for up to one year from the date of adoption, and shall not be subject to paragraph (5) or (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 70901.5 or to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(l) (1) The partner district shall provide the services described in this article for a minimum of five years from the date those services commence pursuant to subdivision (d), and shall thereafter provide the services for any additional period determined necessary by the board of governors. In addition, the board of governors may require, in its sole discretion, that the services described herein be modified or terminated at an earlier date based on the best interests of the California Community Colleges system and its students.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), either the partner district or the special trustee appointed pursuant to Section 71093 may initiate termination of the agreements described in subdivision (d) by giving 180 days’ written notice to the other party and to the board of governors. No termination pursuant to this subdivision may take effect until the end of the semester following the notice provided under this paragraph, so as to protect students from a mid-term interruption of educational services. Should the partner district provide notice of a desire to terminate any agreements at a time when the trustee determines that services provided under those agreements are still necessary to serve the interests of Compton students and residents or at a time when the Compton Community College District is not fully accredited and bonds issued pursuant to Section 41329.52 are outstanding, the partner district shall continue the services until it can secure a district to provide uninterrupted comparable services to the satisfaction of the special trustee.

(m) (1) The Compton Community College District shall continue to be responsible for ensuring that all of its permanent records are retained and stored as required by state law and that all records related to its administration of programs under Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act are retained for a minimum of three years after the conclusion of its participation in those programs.

(2) The Compton Community College District shall be responsible for institutional actions related to the loss of accreditation, including actions that are required under Section 688.26 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, related to the ending of the participation of the Compton Community College District in programs under Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act, refunding any students’ unearned tuition and fees, refunding to the federal government any unexpended federal student financial aid funds, returning to lenders any loan proceeds not distributed to students, or the collection of outstanding student debts to the Compton Community College District.

(n) In addition to addressing the ongoing educational needs of the students of the Compton Community College District, the partner district and the special trustee appointed pursuant to Section 71093 shall take steps aimed at achieving the goal of seeking renewed accreditation for Compton Community College at the earliest feasible date. Progress toward achieving this goal shall be periodically reported to the board of governors.

(o) No person, firm or organization shall, without the permission of the Compton Community College District, use the name “Compton Community College,” or any name of which these words are a part, or any abbreviation thereof.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 50, Sec. 11. Effective June 30, 2006.)

division: 7. COMMUNITY COLLEGES

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

chapter: 5. Miscellaneous

path: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION > 7. COMMUNITY COLLEGES > 46. DISTRICT REORGANIZATION OR FORMATION > 5. Miscellaneous > 5. Continuing Services If Compton Community College Loses Accreditation


text: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, so long as any bond issued pursuant to Section 63049.67 of the Government Code for the Compton Community College District is outstanding, all real property leases securing those bonds shall be leased by the Compton Community College District, and not the Compton Community Educational Center or any partner district.

part: 46. DISTRICT REORGANIZATION OR FORMATION

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 5. Continuing Services If Compton Community College Loses Accreditation


text: Cal Grant awards to students of the Compton Community College District shall not be adversely affected by this article.

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
Notwithstanding any other provision of law:

(a) The partner district shall provide educational programs, as described in Section 74292, at the Compton Community Educational Center on the following terms:

(1) To the extent determined necessary by agreement between the Compton Community College District and the partner district, the Compton Community College District shall assign its current employees, or reemploy former employees, to provide educational or support services to students under the instructional services or other agreements described in Section 74292. The Compton Community College District has no obligation to assign or to reemploy persons who occupy or previously occupied administrative or supervisory positions to those positions. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person who provides services pursuant to this paragraph shall not be deemed to be an employee of the partner district or gain any status with the partner district for any purpose.

(2) Individuals providing educational or support services pursuant to paragraph (1) who serve as academic employees or educational administrators shall meet applicable minimum qualifications established by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges as well as any other job-related qualifications for service that are established by the partner district.

(3) The partner district shall have the primary right to direct activities under the contract or contracts in a manner that is consistent with the role of Compton Community College District as the employer of the individuals who are assigned duties under the agreements by the partner district. The partner district shall provide performance assessments to the special trustee appointed pursuant to Section 71093 regarding the services provided by employees of the Compton Community College District.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the ability of the Compton Community College District to employ employees of any type or class as otherwise authorized by law as needed to provide necessary services.

(c) The Compton Community College District shall continue to be responsible for all retiree benefits that it offered its employees prior to the date of its loss of accreditation and for retirement and other benefits for its employees assigned to provide services pursuant to subdivision (a). The partner district shall have no responsibility for any retiree or other benefits for persons provided by the Compton Community College District to serve under instructional services or other agreements described in this article.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the ability of the partner district to assign its existing personnel to oversee or manage services provided under instructional services or other agreements described in Section 74292 or to employ employees of any type or class as otherwise authorized by law as needed to provide oversight and management of those services. Any person who provides services pursuant to this subdivision shall not be deemed to be an employee of the Compton Community College District or gain any status with that district for any purpose, and that person shall not lose any rights, benefits, or status that he or she had previously acquired with the partner district.

(e) Nothing in this article shall be construed to interfere with, or require any change in, the existing bargaining units and collective bargaining agreements of the Compton Community College District.

(f) All existing statutory due process protections for employees of the Compton Community College District shall remain in effect including, but not necessarily limited to, the provisions governing layoff or dismissal, acquisition of tenure, and all other provisions of the Education Code except as expressly provided in this article.

(g) Nothing in this article shall be construed to interfere with or preclude negotiations with employee organizations in either of the districts over the effects, if any, of the partner district’s operation of the Compton Community College District.

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
Notwithstanding any other provision of law:

(a) The Compton Community College District shall receive apportionment for courses provided at the Compton Community Educational Center by the partner district pursuant to Section 74292, subject to the transfer of moneys described in Sections 41329.53 and 41329.55 and in accordance with the following schedule:

(1) For the 2005–06 fiscal year, an amount not less than the amount that was received by the Compton Community College District for the attendance of full-time equivalent students for the 2004–05 fiscal year.

(2) For the 2006–07 fiscal year, an amount not less than 90 percent of the amount that was received by the Compton Community College District for the attendance of full-time equivalent students for the 2004–05 fiscal year.

(3) For the 2007–08 fiscal year, an amount not less than 80 percent of the amount that was received by the Compton Community College District for the attendance of full-time equivalent students for the 2004–05 fiscal year.

(4) For the 2008–09 fiscal year, an amount not less than 70 percent of the amount that was received by the Compton Community College District for the attendance of full-time equivalent students for the 2004–05 fiscal year.

(b) In allocating funds for categorical aid to the Compton Community College District, the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges shall treat the Compton Community Educational Center as a separate college.

(c) The Compton Community College District shall not be subject to Section 84362 for the 2003–04 fiscal year to the 2008–09 fiscal year, inclusive.

(d) Should the loss of accreditation by the Compton Community College result in a lapse of federal financial assistance to otherwise eligible students before their eligibility is recognized through the partner district, the Compton Community College District may use a portion of the proceeds from the loan described in Section 41329.58 to provide comparable amounts of assistance to eligible students. This replacement funding shall not extend beyond the end of the term during which the lapse of federal funding occurred.

(e) The provisions of subdivision (a) shall be used solely to determine the apportionment funding to be allocated to the Compton Community College District. In computing statewide entitlements to funding based upon the attendance of full-time equivalent students, neither the Compton Community College District nor its partner district shall be credited with more full-time equivalent students for the Compton Community College District than were actually enrolled in attendance. It is the intent of the Legislature that any amounts necessary to make the apportionments required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be drawn from the total statewide funding available for community college apportionments.

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
Notwithstanding any other law:

(a) All of the following shall be applicable to a student who is enrolled at El Camino College Compton Center six months before the change in control of that institution from the El Camino Community College District to the Compton Community College District:

(1) The Compton Community College District shall ensure that any student of El Camino College Compton Center who, by the end of the spring term immediately preceding the change in control of the institution, has completed at least 75 percent of the courses required for the degree or certificate that he or she is pursuing shall be able to complete that program at Compton College. The Compton Community College District shall make every reasonable effort to allow other students who have begun work toward a certificate or degree, but who have not completed 75 percent of the required coursework, to continue and complete their programs at Compton College.

(2) The Compton Community College District shall consider each student of El Camino College Compton Center who enrolls for classes at Compton College to be a continuing student for purposes of enrollment priorities.

(3) Regulations of the board of governors relating to minimum residence at a community college granting a degree shall not be applicable to these students.

(b) For academic years 2018–19 to 2021–22, inclusive, the Compton Community College District shall be exempt from subdivision (d) of Section 84362.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 757, Sec. 1. (AB 1299) Effective January 1, 2018.)

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
Notwithstanding any other provision of law:

(a) In any action in which a court finds that any provision of this article is unlawful, or in any action challenging the implementation of this article, the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, the partner district, the Compton Community College District, and their respective officers, employees, and agents, are immune from the imposition of any award of money damages, including the award of attorney’s fees, except to the extent that any liability for those claims arises from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party claiming the immunity.

(b) The state shall, from funds specifically appropriated for that purpose, indemnify and defend the partner district from and against any claims, other than claims based upon gross negligence or willful misconduct, arising out of its participation in the activities specified in this article.

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text: This part shall be known, and may be cited, as the Common Cloud Data Platform.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2026, Ch. 79, Sec. 13. (SB 135) Effective July 13, 2026.)

part: 46.3. The Common Cloud Data Platform

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

path: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION > 7. COMMUNITY COLLEGES > 46.3. The Common Cloud Data Platform


text:
For purposes of this part, both of the following definitions apply:

(a) “Chancellor’s office” means the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges.

(b) “Real time” means real-time data or near real-time data.

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text: The chancellor’s office shall establish the Common Cloud Data Platform to create a unified, modern data infrastructure to enhance statewide reporting, data sharing, and available analytical tools across participating community college districts and the chancellor’s office. The Common Cloud Data Platform shall be designed to support community college student success initiatives, improve community college districts’ stewardship of resources and ability to use data-driven decisionmaking, and streamline community college administrative processes, in alignment with the vision and priorities adopted by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
The Common Cloud Data Platform shall be designed to enable, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(a) Role-appropriate access to real-time data for chancellor’s office staff, community college district staff, faculty, students, and administrators that supports data-driven decisionmaking. This access may include community college district-level and chancellor’s office-level dashboards that enhance the analytics capabilities of community college districts and the chancellor’s office.

(b) The integration and centralization of data from various enterprise resource planning and technology systems into a modern, cloud-based system.

(c) The facilitation of data from existing and newly developed technology platforms for real-time data insights for the purposes described in Section 74502, which may include student success initiatives or the detection, prevention, and mitigation of fraud.

(d) Empowering students, especially those taking courses across multiple community college campuses and multiple community college districts by offering seamless access to appropriate data, for purposes of supporting program completion and transfer pathways to the California State University and University of California systems. To the extent feasible, this support may also include support for associate degree for transfer pathways to independent institutions of higher education that offer associate degree for transfer opportunities.

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
(a) Funding appropriated for the development, implementation, and systemwide adoption of the Common Cloud Data Platform shall support, but not be limited to, all of the following areas of work:

(1) The development, integration, and expansion of a Common Cloud Data Platform for all community college districts that supports access and functionality for the purposes described in Section 74502, which may include enrollment management, student support, data access, dashboards, and future data system integrations.

(2) The incorporation of advanced analytics tools, real-time dashboards, technology-based student support and retention solutions, and fraud detection and mitigation solutions.

(3) Establishing and supporting consistent data quality assurance and governance processes to be used for the data integrated into the Common Cloud Data Platform.

(4) Establishing common data quality assurance practices and functionality that streamlines the development and submission of data files and attendance accounting reports to the chancellor’s office.

(b) The chancellor’s office may allocate up to 2 percent of the total amount appropriated for purposes of the Common Cloud Data Platform for state administrative operations to carry out the intent of this part.

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
(a) The chancellor’s office shall submit an interim status report on or before March 31, 2027, and a final status report on or before January 31, 2029, to the Department of Finance and the relevant policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature, detailing the progress of the Common Cloud Data Platform. The reports shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following information:

(1) The Common Cloud Data Platform’s implementation status and milestones achieved.

(2) The Common Cloud Data Platform’s underlying impact on student outcomes and systemwide efficiencies.

(3) The budget and expenditures of resources appropriated to support the Common Cloud Data Platform.

(4) Any challenges encountered, and solutions implemented, during the development of the Common Cloud Data Platform.

(b) The reports submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
(a) This part shall be known, and may be cited, as the California Online Community College Act.

(b) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) According to the United States Census Bureau, 2011–15 American Community Survey data, there are 2.5 million Californians between 25 and 34 years of age whose highest educational attainment is either high school or some college. Of this group, 80 percent are working, and nearly half are Hispanic. The public segments of higher education have traditionally not offered courses that are readily accessible to these Californians. Working adults should have access to high-quality, affordable, and flexible opportunities to pursue postsecondary education that does not conflict with their work and familial obligations.

(2) California recognizes the dedication of every faculty member, classified staff member, manager, and administrator in the Community College system toward supporting the success of California’s community college students. As dedicated leaders, innovators, and educators, faculty will be integral to the success of the California Online Community College and improving the economic prosperity of numerous Californians.

(3) Flexible educational options are also critical to those displaced by job loss triggered by recessions. Californians have generally had a difficult time recovering from the Great Recession, but those with an associate’s degree earned higher wages and fared better in the recovery than those with only a high school degree or some college. Labor force participation remains low among the working age population, and economists believe this is partially due to a skills mismatch. Furthermore, according to the Economic Policy Institute, 60 percent of jobs created during the economic recovery from 2010 to 2014 went to men versus 40 percent of jobs that went to women.

(4) Immigrants, military veterans, and incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals could also benefit from the flexibility created by an affordable, high-quality online education that would allow them to improve their skills and advance their employment opportunities or stay relevant in their careers.

(5) Online education is showing a trend of improving course success rates over time. Research indicates the importance of institutional factors, such as course design, institutional support, effective student orientation and support services, and the development of strategies to promote regular interaction, in contributing to online course success. Studies also indicate that older students generally perform better in online courses than younger students.

(6) The cost for Californians to access online credentials, certificates, and associate’s degrees at nonpublic or out-of-state institutions is typically much higher—as much as seven to nine times higher per unit—than at a California community college. An affordable, high-quality, and flexible public online college provides an important alternative to other nonpublic online education options.

(7) According to the Public Utilities Commission, approximately 95 percent of California households have wired broadband availability. Recent legislation authorized additional funding for broadband and establishment of regional goals intended to reduce urban-rural disparities in broadband access. Additionally, the budget provides funding for public libraries to expand access to broadband.

(8) To ensure the future economic resiliency of California’s communities, the existing higher education infrastructure must be augmented with learning options that are focused on working learners, including options that are affordable, designed to be flexible for the schedule of working adults, and competency-based to facilitate portability of employable skills. With an open access mission, the California Community Colleges are positioned to work with a diverse population to increase wages and improve economic and social mobility in a rapidly changing economy.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 33, Sec. 18. (AB 1809) Effective June 27, 2018.)

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

path: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION > 7. COMMUNITY COLLEGES > 46.5. California Online Community College Act


text:
(a) (1) The California Online Community College is hereby established.

(2) The California Online Community College shall be under the administration of the board of governors.

(3) The California Online Community College shall fulfill the purposes of this part, which includes the creation of an organized system of accessible, flexible, and high-quality online content, courses, and programs focused on providing industry-valued credentials compatible with the vocational and educational needs of Californians who are not currently accessing higher education. These courses and programs shall lead to a pathway offered at a traditional community college.

(4) The college shall be considered a district and community college within the California Community Colleges system and the state’s public system of higher education.

(5) For purposes of Section 14 of Article IX and Sections 8 and 8.5 of Article XVI of the California Constitution, “community college districts” shall include the California Online Community College established pursuant to paragraph (1).

(b) The college shall be guided by principles and procedures developed by the chancellor’s office and established by the board of governors. These guiding principles shall include all of the following:

(1) Offering working adults additional access to affordable, quality higher education opportunities with labor market value, especially industry-valued credentials based on competencies leading to employment, earnings gain, or upward mobility in the workplace, and not just courses leading to degrees and certificates.

(2) Providing working adults with the necessary conditions for success with flexible course scheduling, start and stop-off times, technology-enabled support communities to deepen engagement and foster social belonging, and short-term credentials as demonstrations of academic progress.

(3) Supporting student success by developing and implementing innovative teaching and student support methodologies and technologies, including leveraging student data to improve teaching and learning and to support individual student progression, providing quality onboarding of students to support their career exploration, goal-setting, educational planning, and support needs, and leveraging relevant technology resources where possible.

(4) Enhancing systemwide student success efforts by using the college’s innovative teaching and student support methodologies and technologies to inform professional development opportunities available to the rest of the community college system.

(5) Ensuring faculty roles are based on the skills needs of the college, such as online instructors, course developers, assessment developers, student mentors, reviewers, and 24-hour virtual classroom support, and ensuring flexible hiring processes that emphasize use of part-time and full-time faculty with field expertise to support emerging programs and shifts in labor market demand.

(6) Addressing barriers faced by working adult students to access higher education, including, but not necessarily limited to, financial aid support, dealing with working learners’ prior educational debts that may impede release of transcripts and credits, pathway navigational help, contextualized academic preparation, navigation of family needs and other supports, and coaching and mentoring.

(7) Aligning the college’s efforts with the broader goals outlined in the California Community Colleges system’s Vision for Success, or other strategic visions outlined by the board of governors, and holding the college accountable for its students’ outcomes and ensuring improved data collection on employment outcomes.

(8) Offering working adults additional access to affordable, high-quality higher education opportunities with labor market value that lead to additional educational opportunities provided by either the California Online Community College or by another California community college.

(c) The college may collaborate and work closely with other agencies, industry partners, and experts to ensure the success of the college, including, but not necessarily limited to, all of the following:

(1) Students the college serves, to ensure the college meets their needs.

(2) Community-based organizations, to provide student outreach to working learners across California.

(3) Statewide public agencies, such as the State Department of Social Services, the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, to incorporate strategies to provide immigrants and other groups with barriers to employment with educational opportunities.

(4) Representatives from the labor community, to provide higher wage jobs for journey-level workers or augment apprenticeship training.

(5) Industry and employer partners, including statewide public agency employers, state associations, large employers, and regional consortia of employers, to inform content that is driven by the demands of the labor market and relevant to regional workforce needs.

(6) The California Community Colleges, to leverage their existing career technical education regional consortia, the Strong Workforce Program regional consortia, and adult education regional consortia.

(7) Two-year and four-year institutions or a consortia, to promote recognition of student skills and knowledge toward degree pathways as well as a way to increase student access and transfers to additional higher educational opportunities.

(d) The college shall conduct all of the following activities:

(1) The college shall offer at least three program pathways within the first three years of program implementation, developed exclusively to serve the population of students not yet accessing postsecondary education or without their first industry-valued credential. The college shall create new programs that are not duplicative of programs offered at other local community colleges.

(2) To ensure student success, the college shall also do all of the following:

(A) Establish competency-based educational opportunities that recognize students’ prior learning and help students advance toward a credential. Competencies shall be established with the advice of appropriate faculty and employers, and shall be focused on knowledge and skills a student must demonstrate to pass a course and to earn a credential. Examples of prior learning include prior military service, registered apprenticeship training, industry-recognized certifications, or experience from other careers. Assessments shall be developed to enable students to demonstrate mastery and shall be mapped to the competencies.

(B) Supplement registered apprenticeship programs and the California Apprenticeship Initiative training as appropriate, and create apprenticeship instructor upskilling training, courses, and programs that are valued by the labor and employer communities.

(C) Identify opportunities to develop short-term, stackable credentials and industry certifications with labor market value. The college shall also leverage existing articulation agreements and develop new articulation agreements with other California Community Colleges, the California State University, the University of California, and other accredited public and independent institutions to facilitate stackability into credit-bearing courses and pathways.

(D) Develop, adapt, or apply technology to meet the ongoing needs of students.

(E) Develop a Research and Development Unit that utilizes current and future learning sciences technology, assesses data metrics within the college’s technological infrastructure to gauge student progress in a course or pathway, informs instructional and support strategies, and improves the functionality of the underlying technology used by the college.

(F) Redesign transcripts in a digital, verifiable format that links coursework, credentials, and competencies to track a student’s entire body of learning in one document. Any redesigned transcript technology shall be a part of the integrated technology portfolio of the chancellor’s office and made available to any campus of the California Community Colleges.

(G) Identify shortcomings in the student experience for unserved and underserved students and develop technological and programmatic solutions to address the gap.

(H) Distribute gains in data and learning science and effective technology-enabled tools and resources throughout the California Community Colleges.

(3) The college shall utilize and leverage, where appropriate, the programs and activities of the chancellor’s office, including the Online Education Initiative and the Zero-Textbook-Cost Degree Grant Program and Open Educational Resources, the Strong Workforce Program, and the Guided Pathways Program framework. This shall include both of the following activities and practices:

(A) Organize newly developed content, courses, programs, and students supports, consistent with the Guided Pathways Program framework, that lead to a pathway at a traditional community college.

(B) Utilize the Online Education Initiative’s existing social and technological infrastructure for students, instructors, and administrators, including all of the following:

(i) Contribute to the Initiative’s common course management platform for online content and classes.

(ii) Utilize and develop comprehensive, specialized student supports that are technology-enabled for scale and focused on the student experience, including, but not limited to, pathway navigation, online tutoring, online mentoring, and online help desk support. These supports, as well as the instructional delivery, shall be made available during nontraditional working hours to promote student success for the focus population.

(iii) Leverage free or low-cost, high-quality online educational materials for students through Open Educational Resources and the Zero-Textbook-Cost Degree Grant. The college shall ensure any open educational resources that are developed are available for use by any California community college through the system’s common learning management platform.

(iv) Enhance systemwide student success efforts by using the college’s innovative teaching and student support methodologies and technologies to inform professional development opportunities available to the rest of the system through the Online Education Initiative and the Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Initiative.

(e) The college shall not enter into College and Career Access Pathways partnerships pursuant to Section 76004.

(f) (1) It is the intent of the Legislature that the California Online Community College create unique content and deliver it in a manner that is not duplicative of programs offered at other local community colleges.

(2) For each new program created, the chancellor’s office shall notify the Legislature and Department of Finance on how the program is not duplicative of programs offered at other community colleges.

(g) Upon the establishment of an Academic Senate for the California Online Community College, the faculty shall review the Online Education Initiative Protocols for online content and adopt as appropriate.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 497, Sec. 85. (AB 991) Effective January 1, 2020.)

part: 46.5. California Online Community College Act

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
For purposes of this part, the following terms have the following meanings:

(a) “Artificial intelligence” has the same definition as in Section 11546.45.5 of the Government Code.

(b) “Board of governors” means the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.

(c) “Chancellor’s office” means the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges.

(d) “College” means the California Online Community College established under this part.

(e) “Competency-based education” means systems of instruction, assessment, grading, and academic reporting that are based on students demonstrating that they have learned the knowledge and skills they are expected to learn as they progress through their education.

(f) “Guided Pathways Program” means a program that includes the activities and practices established pursuant to Section 88921.

(g) “Industry” means trade associations or those firms that produce similar products or provide similar services using somewhat similar business processes.

(h) “Stackable credential” means a part of a sequence of credentials that can be accumulated over time and move an individual along a career pathway or up a career ladder.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 843, Sec. 2. (AB 2885) Effective January 1, 2025.)

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
(a) The California Online Community College established pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 75001 shall be under the administration of the board of governors.

(b) In furtherance of subdivision (a), the board of governors shall do all of the following:

(1) Establish policies for, and approve, current and long-range academic and facilities plans and programs and promote orderly growth and development of the California Online Community College. In so doing, the board of governors shall, as required by law, establish policies for, develop, and approve comprehensive plans.

(2) Establish policies for and approve courses of instruction and educational programs.

(3) Establish academic standards, probation, dismissal, and readmission policies, and graduation requirements not inconsistent with the minimum standards adopted by the board of governors.

(4) Employ and assign all personnel not inconsistent with the minimum standards adopted by the chief executive officer appointed pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 75005, and establish employment practices, salaries, and benefits for all employees not inconsistent with the laws of this state.

(5) To the extent authorized by law, determine and control the college’s operational and capital outlay budgets.

(6) Manage and control the college’s property. The board of governors may contract for the procurement of goods and services as authorized by law.

(7) Establish procedures that are consistent with minimum standards otherwise established by the board of governors to ensure faculty, staff, and students have the opportunity to express their opinions at the campus level, to ensure that these opinions are given every reasonable consideration, to ensure the right to participate effectively in college governance, and to ensure the right of the college’s academic senate to make recommendations in the areas of curriculum and academic standards. The California Online Community College may establish procedures enabling the use of a digital format, or formats.

(8) Establish rules and regulations governing student conduct.

(9) Establish student fees as it is required to establish by law, and, in its discretion, fees as it is authorized to establish by law.

(10) In its discretion, receive and administer gifts, grants, and scholarships.

(11) Provide auxiliary services as deemed necessary to achieve the purposes of the community college.

(12) Within the general framework provided by law, determine the college’s academic calendar, including the holidays it will observe. Notwithstanding Section 84890, the college may enable the offering of courses under a flexible calendar. Notwithstanding any other law, in recognition of the ability to adopt a flexible academic calendar, the board of governors shall also have the flexibility to utilize an alternative definition of “academic year” for purposes of this part.

(13) Hold and convey property for the use and benefit of the college.

(14) Participate in the consultation process otherwise established by the board of governors for the development and review of policy proposals.

(c) In carrying out the powers and duties specified in subdivision (b) or other provisions of statute, the board of governors shall have full authority to adopt rules and regulations that are necessary and proper to executing these prescribed functions and may, as applicable, use a digital format, or formats. Any action taken pursuant to this subdivision by the board of governors is exempt from the Administrative Procedure Act, as defined in Section 11370 of the Government Code.

(d) Wherever in this section or any other statute a power is vested in the board of governors, the board of governors, by majority vote, may adopt a rule delegating the power to the college’s chief executive officer or any other employee or committee as the board of governors may designate. However, the board of governors shall not delegate any power that is expressly made nondelegable by statute. Any rule delegating authority shall prescribe the limits of the delegation.

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that all students with disabilities enrolled in the California Online Community College be entitled to receive support services and educational accommodations so that they can participate in and benefit from the California Online Community College equal to those students without disabilities. It is the further intent that all support services and educational accommodations made available to students with disabilities at the other community colleges be made equally available to students with disabilities enrolled in the California Online Community College.

(b) The board of governors shall do all of the following:

(1) Ensure the college is in compliance with statutory provisions regarding access for individuals with disabilities, including, but not necessarily limited to, Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 67300) of Part 40 of Division 5, and Section 84850. This duty shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the creation of a Disabled Students Programs and Services program within the California Online Community College with staff able to assist students with disabilities who are eligible for academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, services, and instruction that may be necessary for equal access to the general activities, programs, and classes offered by the California Online Community College and any other services specified in Section 67311.

(2) Ensure the California Online Community College’s use of electronic technology is in compliance with the accessibility requirements of state and federal electronic and information technology policy and statutes, including Sections 7405 and 11135 of the Government Code; Section 508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794d), as amended and the regulations implementing that act set forth in Part 1194 of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations and Appendices A, C, and D of that part; and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.), no later than December 31, 2020. In carrying out this duty, the board of governors shall ensure electronic technology used by the California Online Community College has undergone user testing by persons with disabilities for the purpose of assessing compliance with the aforementioned requirements.

(3) Ensure that the California Online Community College’s use of instructional resources, including, but not necessarily limited to, textbooks and other digital or printed course materials, is in compliance with Sections 66406, 66406.7, 66406.9, 67302, and 67302.5, and any other provisions regarding the accessibility, availability, and affordability of such materials.

(4) Establish a complaint procedure for disabled California Online Community College employees, students, and members of the public to register complaints about accessibility services required pursuant to this section and for resolving the complaints. In any case where a complaint is founded on the failure of the California Online Community College to meet the compliance requirements of this section, the California Online Community College shall provide, upon request of the complainant, an immediate accommodation to meet the needs of the complainant caused by the compliance failure. The California Online Community College shall maintain a summary of the complaints received and the resolution of the complaints including any accommodations made due to the lack of compliance.

(5) Report to the Legislature and the Department of Finance on compliance with this section at each reporting interval specified for startup milestones specified in subdivision (b) of Section 75011.

(c) This section does not limit the rights of any person to pursue any remedies or causes of action that they may have under any state or federal law to enforce compliance with those laws or the obligations stated in subdivision (b).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 497, Sec. 86. (AB 991) Effective January 1, 2020.)

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
(a) Notwithstanding Section 72000, the California Online Community College may sue and be sued, and shall act in accordance with Section 75003.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 72000, the name of the California Online Community College is the property of the board of governors. No person shall, without permission of the board, use the name, or any abbreviation of the name, or any name of which these words are a part, in any of the following ways:

(1) To designate any business, social, political, religious, or other organization, including, but not necessarily limited to, any corporation, firm, partnership, association, group, activity or enterprise.

(2) To imply, indicate or otherwise suggest that any organization, or any product or service of the organization is connected or affiliated with, or is endorsed, favored or supported by, or is opposed by one or more California community colleges, the board of governors, or the chancellor’s office.

(3) To display, advertise, or announce these names publicly at or in connection with any meeting, assembly, or demonstration, or any propaganda, advertising, or promotional activity of any kind which has for its purpose or any part of its purpose the support, endorsement, advancement, opposition or defeat of any strike, lockout, or boycott or of any political, religious, sociological, or economic movement, activity, or program.

(c) Nothing in this section shall interfere with or restrict the right of any person to make a true and accurate statement in the course of stating his or her experience or qualifications for any academic, governmental, business, or professional credit or enrollment, or in connection with any academic, governmental, professional or other employment whatsoever.

(d) Meetings conducted by the board of governors on items that are related to the California Online Community College shall be conducted separately from the other statutory functions of the board of governors, and shall be subject to the same public meeting requirements as apply to community college districts.

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
(a) The requirements of Article 3 (commencing with Section 72022) of Chapter 1 of Part 45 shall not apply to the board of governors in fulfilling its duties related to the California Online Community College.

(b) The Legislature declares that the board of governors, in carrying out its duties pursuant to Section 70901 and Article 2 (commencing with Section 71020.5) of Part 44, is expressly determined to not have a conflict of interest in the administration of the California Online Community College.

(c) Notwithstanding Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 78100) of Part 48, the board of governors may instead provide access to internet-based library services and materials or by contractual arrangements with other entities.

(d) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, the board of governors may authorize the chancellor, or designate members with the appropriate skills and experience, including those necessary to guide the formation of a new entity, to exercise any powers or responsibilities or to take any official actions with respect to the management of the college, including any of the college’s assets, contracts, expenditures, facilities, funds, personnel, or property.

(2) If the board of governors exercises this authority, the chancellor, or the designees of the board of governors, may appoint a chief executive officer to manage the California Online Community College. The chief executive officer shall have served in a similar capacity prior to the establishment of the California Online Community College and shall have expertise in the development and operation of online offerings at a public or nonprofit institution, or shall have relevant qualifications to serve as the chief executive officer of the California Online Community College. The chief executive officer shall meet the minimum qualifications for service as an academic administrator in the California Community Colleges.

(3) A chief executive officer appointed under this subdivision shall serve at the pleasure of the board of governors.

(4) A chief executive officer appointed pursuant to this section is authorized to do all of the following:

(A) Develop fiscal policies and practices for the operation of the California Online Community College.

(B) Enter into agreements on behalf of the California Online Community College.

(C) In consultation with the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, establish an advisory council process to advise the chief executive officer on issues related to the California Online Community College. The advisory process shall involve representatives from boards of trustees of community college districts, represented employees of the California Online Community College, and students attending the online college. A participant in the advisory process shall not receive any compensation or benefits for the participant’s services.

(D) Consistent with the requirements of the terms of the contract established pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 70901, hire sufficient staff, with appropriate preparation and experience, to provide the functions necessary to support the college’s mission and purpose.

(E) Hire sufficient numbers of qualified faculty that meet the minimum qualifications established by the college, with appropriate preparation and experience to provide online instructional design and technology-supported student supports to achieve the college’s mission and purpose.

(F) Manage and control the operations of the college.

(5) In the event of a vacancy in the chief executive officer position, the chancellor shall temporarily assume all of the powers and duties of the chief executive officer until another chief executive officer can be appointed pursuant to this section.

(6) The board of governors, or its authorized designees, may contract with the Foundation for California Community Colleges for the purpose of providing administrative support for the college’s startup functions.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 497, Sec. 87. (AB 991) Effective January 1, 2020.)

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
(a) The college shall be developed and guided by principles and procedures established by the chancellor’s office, as referenced in Section 75001.

(b) (1) The college shall seek accreditation and meet requirements for students to become eligible for federal and state financial aid.

(A) The college shall provide the Department of Finance and the Legislature with all of the following:

(i) An accreditation plan that, at a minimum, identifies an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education from which the college will seek accreditation, and outlines the process by which the college will achieve accreditation candidacy or preaccreditation by April 1, 2022, and full accreditation by April 1, 2025. This plan shall be provided on or before April 1, 2021.

(ii) Evidence of having achieved accreditation candidacy or preaccreditation from an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education on or before April 1, 2022.

(iii) Evidence of having obtained full accreditation from an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education on or before April 1, 2025.

(2) While the college is seeking accreditation, the Workforce Development Board and the Employment Development Department shall determine whether the programs offered by the online college have job market value to California industries by utilizing existing programmatic review processes.

(3) The college shall explore a process for allowing students to retroactively obtain credit units upon demonstrated mastery of competencies for programs completed while the college was seeking accreditation. It is the intent of the Legislature that the college reimburse students for any fees charged if the college fails to meet accreditation standards.

(4) The college shall inform potential and enrolled students regarding the implications of taking courses prior to accreditation and how the college will help students rectify this issue in the future.

(c) In meeting the requirements of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 75003, the California Online Community College shall comply with collective bargaining pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 70901. It is the intent of the Legislature that faculty recruitment efforts for the college will focus on California residents who meet the minimum qualifications to be employed at a California community college, or individuals with experience within the California Community Colleges system.

(d) The college shall be subject to the same competitive bidding and state contracting requirements that apply to California community college districts.

(e) Curricular issues, such as establishment of enrollment caps for courses, shall be subject to the same approval processes that apply to California community college districts. The curriculum developed by the California Online Community College and its faculty shall have the same protections granted to all curriculum developed by other California Community Colleges.

(f) It is the intent of the Legislature that any general-purpose apportionment apportioned to the college be subject to the regulatory frameworks of shared governance pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of Section 70902 and the Full-Time Faculty Obligation Number established in Section 51025 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
(a) The college shall develop a Research and Development Unit that is student-centered and focused on the science of learning to ensure that the technology used by the college is working for the communities it is intended to serve.

(b) The Research and Development Unit shall be focused on leveraging current and future learning sciences technology, assessing data metrics within the technological infrastructure to gauge student progress in a course or pathway, informing instructional and support strategies, and improving on the functionality of the underlying technology.

(c) The Research and Development Unit shall focus on using technology, data science, behavioral science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to build out student supports, such as, but not limited to, a virtual help desk which uses technology to respond to commonly asked questions from students at any hour of the day and week.

(d) The Research and Development Unit shall share the data, metrics, and findings with the college’s faculty, administrators, and technologists to inform and evolve better teaching and student support practices.

(e) The Research and Development Unit shall regularly collaborate with the Digital Innovation and Infrastructure Division of the chancellor’s office to ensure integration, interoperability, and, where possible, use open standards.

(f) Insights from the Research and Development Unit shall be shared across the California Community Colleges through existing professional development channels to support campuses in accelerated adoption of demonstrated advancements in teaching, learning, and student supports throughout the system.

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
(a) By July 1, 2019, the college shall be expected to, at a minimum, meet the following milestones:

(1) Fully develop a seven-year implementation plan, validate a business plan, and develop three program pathways designed in partnership with employers and industry groups.

(2) Develop internal business processes and personnel policies, such as hiring, salaries, and evaluations, and establish outcomes goals including the classifications necessary to support instructional development, and activities and other elements of the student experience.

(3) Map the student experience, including, but not necessarily limited to, recruiting, onboarding, transcriptions, instructional experience, billing, entry into internship if applicable to the student’s programs, and entry into jobs.

(4) Develop an accreditation plan.

(5) Create a statewide outreach plan, which includes working with immigrant groups and community-based organizations to reach the target population of working learners and help design educational opportunities that work for these learners.

(6) Define the duties for instructional support, program development, and other student experience activities.

(7) Establish a process for the recognition of prior learnings into the student onboarding experience.

(8) Plan to begin enrolling students by the last quarter of 2019.

(b) By July 1, 2021, the college shall be expected to, at a minimum, meet all of the following milestones:

(1) Incorporate student feedback to improve the college’s instruction, technology, and student support services.

(2) Design and validate at least three additional program pathways, including coordinating the creation of new content.

(3) Apply for accreditation from an accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education.

(c) By July 1, 2023, the college shall be expected to, at a minimum, meet all of the following milestones:

(1) Enroll students into the college’s program pathways.

(2) Incorporate student feedback to improve the college’s instruction, technology, and student support services.

(3) Design and validate at least 10 additional program pathways, including coordinating the creation of new content.

(4) For every 10 pathways offered by the college, at least one pathway shall be developed in collaboration with a traditional community college.

(d) By July 1, 2025, the college shall be expected to, at a minimum, meet the following milestones:

(1) Enroll students into the college’s program pathways.

(2) Incorporate student feedback to improve the college’s instruction, technology, and student support services.

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, the college may establish an affordable fee structure. The college shall establish a fee structure that is equivalent to or less than the fees charged by traditional community colleges. The chief executive officer of the college shall notify, in writing, the Director of Finance and the Legislature, not less than 60 days prior to the effective date of any fee structure established under this subdivision. The notification shall contain, but not necessarily be limited to, the amount or amounts of the fees proposed to be charged. Notification to the Legislature under this subdivision shall comply with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(b) (1) Regardless of the college’s fee structure, enrolled students shall be eligible for fee waivers that are consistent with the fee waiver goals of the California College Promise Grants authorized pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 76300) of Chapter 2 of Part 47 and California College Promise fee waivers authorized pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 76396) of Chapter 2 of Part 47.

(2) Regardless of the college’s fee structure, students exempt from nonresident tuition pursuant to Article 9 (commencing with Section 76140) of Chapter 1 of Part 47 shall be eligible for tuition and fee waivers pursuant to paragraph (1).

(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that students enrolled in the college be eligible to participate in the Cal Grant program if the student otherwise meets the applicable statutory and regulatory requirements of the program.

(d) (1) One-time funds appropriated in Section 2.00 of the Budget Act of 2018 in support of the college shall be expended to support the college’s start-up costs. Start-up costs may include support for activities, including, but not necessarily limited to, all of the following:

(A) Roadmap development and capital investments for scalable technology infrastructure development to support the college’s instruction, technological support, continuous improvement modeling, and administrative functions.

(B) Design and development of the Research and Development Unit that may include fully-supported virtual and mobile labs in order to assess learning science, as well as demonstration pilots to test and refine technology and program development to ensure greater effectiveness and scalability.

(C) Establishment of key partnerships with entities with physical presence to provide in-person supports, such as libraries and community college labs and facilities.

(D) Support for the development of core functions, such as mapping the student experience, developing and testing a new and experimental fee model, establishing a student outreach plan, and establishing key employer partners.

(E) Development of a seven-year business plan with key milestones, indicators, and outcomes.

(F) Preparation for and development of applications to seek accreditation.

(G) Establishment of business processes, legal support, development of initial and long-term staffing plan, personnel policies and procedures, establishment of responsive metrics, and indicators driving student success to inform design.

(H) Scaling efforts over the seven-year startup period.

(2) Ongoing funds appropriated in the annual Budget Act in support of the college shall be expended to support the college’s ongoing operations. Ongoing costs may include support for activities, including, but not necessarily limited to, all of the following:

(A) Licensing and maintenance for use of technology and related tools.

(B) Professional development and training, particularly for faculty and staff in student-facing support roles.

(C) Continued assessment of student program pathways, including validation, content development and improvements, and partnership development.

(D) Ongoing costs associated with salaries and benefits, facilities, supplies, and incidentals.

(E) Other administrative functions of the college.

(e) The California Online Community College shall be eligible to claim general apportionment funding pursuant to the formula established in Section 84750.5 or any successor section.

(1) Consistent with the Student-Focused Funding Formula established pursuant to Section 84750.4, the district would be eligible for supplemental grants and student success incentive grants.

(2) For the first three years in which the district claims apportionments funding, the district’s student success incentive grant metrics may be based on the statewide average for all other community college districts.

(3) For purposes of computing the District’s apportionments funding, growth in enrollment for the district will be computed separately from the other California Community Colleges. It is the intent of the Legislature that apportionments for enrollment growth funding for the district be appropriated separately from apportionments enrollment growth funding appropriated in support of all other California Community Colleges.

(f) Of the funds appropriated in support of the college, no Proposition 98 General Fund moneys shall be used to support the state operations of the Chancellor’s Office.

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
(a) The college shall be held to at least the same accountability measures and key performance indicators developed by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the Chancellor’s Office of the California Community Colleges that are applicable to all other campuses of the California Community Colleges.

(b) In addition, the college shall report to the Legislature and the Department of Finance on all of the following measures:

(1) The college shall report on startup milestones, including the number of designed program pathways, by August 1, 2019.

(2) The college shall report on startup milestones, including student enrollment and the number of designed program pathways, by August 1, 2020.

(3) The college shall report on startup milestones, including student enrollment, the number of designed program pathways, and student outcomes, by August 1, 2021. This report shall serve as a comprehensive status report on the college’s activities and outcomes, including information on student employment and earning gains after completion of programs, other student success metrics identified by the Research and Development Unit, the number of faculty and staff employed by the college, and a qualitative description of the college’s efforts and progress to reach and serve working adults.

(4) The college shall report on startup milestones, including student enrollment, the number of designed program pathways, student outcomes, progress on transition planning for the scaling phase, and a qualitative description of any innovative teaching and student support practices and technologies developed by the college’s faculty and staff, by August 1, 2022, and August 1 of each year thereafter.

(c) By January 1, 2026, the college shall also be assessed by an independent evaluator contracted by the board of governors. The independent evaluator shall assess the progress of program production, relationships with industry partners, student success, and the like.

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
(a) The chancellor’s office shall conduct a review of the process used to calculate noncredit and career development college preparation rates, and make recommendations to the board of governors on or before January 1, 2019, on how that process may be modified to encourage the use and development of competency-based courses and programs.

(b) The chancellor’s office shall conduct a review of the statewide approval process to offer online courses under a flexible calendar, and make recommendations to the board of governors on or before January 1, 2019.

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
(a) The office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges shall develop recommendations for equating enrollment in competency-based education programs to full-time equivalent students for the purposes of generating funding. The chancellor’s office shall convene a workgroup of experts, including experts in competency-based education, state funding models, workforce program funding models, cost-based models, alternate funding models, such as subscription-based models, and enrollment funding, to support the chancellor’s office in developing its recommendations. These recommendations shall apply to competency-based education at community college districts systemwide, including the California Online Community College. The chancellor’s office shall update the Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Finance periodically throughout the workgroup’s process. On or before October 1, 2028, the chancellor’s office shall submit, pursuant to Section 9795 of the Government Code, these recommendations to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Department of Finance. These recommendations shall be used to inform future funding decisions.

(b) As part of the Credit for Prior Learning Initiative, the chancellor’s office, in partnership with the Academic Senate of the California Community Colleges, shall make credit for prior learning recommendations for each program offered by the California Online Community College and similar programs offered by other community colleges, including programs that prepare students for industry certifications. The amount of credit for prior learning recommended under this subdivision for each program or industry certification shall be the same systemwide for all community colleges, including the California Online Community College. On or before July 1, 2027, the chancellor’s office shall submit, pursuant to Section 9795 of the Government Code, these recommendations to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Department of Finance. Community colleges are strongly encouraged to award students credit for prior learning consistent with these recommendations.

(c) (1) Commencing with the 2026–27 fiscal year, the California Online Community College shall submit data to the chancellor's office’s management information system on the same reporting schedule and using the comparable data elements that apply to noncredit programs at other community college districts, with modifications as agreed to by the chancellor’s office to account for competency-based education programs. The data shall be provided separately for each educational program offered by the California Online Community College and in a combined format encompassing all programs offered. Where applicable, the data shall be measured in a manner consistent with any state requirements enacted for the federal Workforce Pell Grant program.

(2) The data provided to the chancellor’s office under paragraph (1) shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:

(A) Student headcount.

(B) The demographics of enrolled students.

(C) The number of awards completed, by award type.

(D) The median times to program completion, the share of students completing within that time, and the share of students completing within 150 percent of that time, aligned with accreditation standards.

(E) To the extent possible, the number of students who complete a program and obtain employment and the job placement rate measured within 180 days after completion of the program.

(F) The median earnings of program completers.

(G) The change in employment and earnings from before program entry to after program completion.

(H) The number and share of students who subsequently enrolled in a credit program at another community college district or other postsecondary educational institution.

(3) The chancellor’s office shall publicly display the data specified in paragraph (2). To the extent practicable, the chancellor’s office shall display that data in formats and dashboards consistent with those used for other community college districts, while also incorporating additional measures necessary to accurately reflect the California Online Community College’s competency-based direct assessment and workforce-focused model. Where applicable, the California Online Community College shall be included in statewide aggregate noncredit enrollment and outcomes figures.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2026, Ch. 79, Sec. 14. (SB 135) Effective July 13, 2026.)

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION


text:
The governing board of a community college district shall admit to the community college any California resident, and may admit any nonresident, possessing a high school diploma or the equivalent thereof.

The governing board may admit to the community college any apprentice, as defined in Section 3077 of the Labor Code, who, in the judgment of the governing board, is capable of profiting from the instruction offered.

The governing board may by rule determine whether there shall be admitted to the community college any other person who is over 18 years of age and who, in the judgment of the board, is capable of profiting from the instruction offered. If the governing board determines to admit other persons, those persons shall be admitted as provisional students and thereafter shall be required to comply with the rules and regulations prescribed by the board of governors pertaining to the scholastic achievement and other standards to be met by provisional or probationary students, as a condition to being readmitted in any succeeding semester. This paragraph shall not apply to persons in attendance in special classes and programs established for adults pursuant to Section 78401 or to any persons attending on a part-time basis only.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 758, Sec. 88. Effective January 1, 1996.)

part: 47. STUDENTS

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

chapter: 1. General Provisions

article: 1. Admission of Students

path: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION > 7. COMMUNITY COLLEGES > 47. STUDENTS > 1. General Provisions > 1. Admission of Students


text:
(a) The governing board of a community college district may admit to any community college under its jurisdiction as a special part-time or full-time student in any session or term any student who is eligible to attend community college pursuant to Section 48800, 48800.5, or 52620.

(b) If the governing board denies a request for a special part-time or full-time enrollment at a community college, the board shall record its findings and the reasons for denial of the request in writing within 60 days. The written recommendation and denial shall be issued at the next regularly scheduled board meeting that falls at least 30 days after the request has been submitted.

(c) The attendance of a student at a community college as a special part-time or full-time student pursuant to this section is authorized attendance, for which the community college shall be credited or reimbursed pursuant to Sections 48802, 52621, and 76002. Credit for courses completed shall be at the level determined to be appropriate by the school district and community college district governing boards.

(d) For purposes of this section, a special part-time student may enroll in up to, and including, 11 units per semester, or the equivalent thereof, at the community college.

(e) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the governing board of a community college district shall assign a low enrollment priority to special part-time or full-time students described in subdivision (a) in order to ensure that these students do not displace regularly admitted students.

(2) This subdivision does not apply to a student attending a middle college high school as described in Section 11300, if the student is seeking to enroll in a community college course that is required for the student’s middle college high school program.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 528, Sec. 2. (SB 554) Effective January 1, 2020.)

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 1. Admission of Students


text:
(a) Courses offered through a dual enrollment program offered by the local educational agency, with an agreement with an institution of higher education, shall be deemed dual credit courses.

(b) A dual credit course offered pursuant to subdivision (a) may be counted simultaneously toward both of the following:

(1) High school credit on an official transcript from the participating local educational agency.

(2) Postsecondary credit on an official transcript at the participating institution of higher education.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2026, Ch. 65, Sec. 131. (AB 126) Effective July 9, 2026.)

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 1. Admission of Students


text:
(a) For purposes of receiving state apportionments, a community college district may include high school students who attend a community college within the district pursuant to Sections 48800, 52620, and 76001 in the district’s report of full-time equivalent students (FTES) only if those students are enrolled in community college classes that meet all of the following criteria:

(1) The class is open to the general public.

(2) (A) The class is advertised as open to the general public in one or more of the following:

(i) The college catalog.

(ii) The regular schedule of classes.

(iii) An addenda to the college catalog or regular schedule of classes.

(B) If a decision to offer a class on a high school campus is made after the publication of the regular schedule of classes, and the class is solely advertised to the general public through electronic media, the class shall be so advertised for a minimum of 30 continuous days before the first meeting of the class.

(3) If the class is offered at a high school campus, the class shall not be held during the time the campus is closed to the general public, as defined by the governing board of the school district during a regularly scheduled board meeting.

(4) If the class is a physical education class, no more than 10 percent of its enrollment may be comprised of special part-time or full-time students. A community college district shall not receive state apportionments for special part-time and full-time students enrolled in physical education courses in excess of 5 percent of the district’s total reported full-time equivalent enrollment of special part-time and full-time students.

(b) The governing board of a community college district may restrict the admission or enrollment of a special part-time or full-time student during any session based on any of the following criteria:

(1) Age.

(2) Completion of a specified grade level.

(3) Demonstrated eligibility for instruction using assessment methods and procedures established pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 78210) of Part 48 and regulations adopted by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.

(c) (1) The Chancellor of the California Community Colleges shall prepare and submit to the Department of Finance and the Legislature, on or before March 1, 2004, and March 1 of each year thereafter, a report on the amount of FTES claimed by each community college district for special part-time and special full-time students for the preceding academic year in each of the following class categories:

(A) Noncredit.

(B) Nondegree-applicable.

(C) Degree-applicable, excluding physical education.

(D) Degree-applicable physical education.

(2) The report prepared pursuant to paragraph (1) may include information required to be reported pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 48800.

(d) The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges shall adopt rules and regulations to implement this section.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 528, Sec. 3. (SB 554) Effective January 1, 2020.)

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 1. Admission of Students


text:
(a) Notwithstanding Section 76001, the governing board of the Long Beach Community College District may admit to any community college under its jurisdiction, as a special part-time or full-time student, in any session or term, any student who is participating in the partnership established pursuant to Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 48810) of Chapter 5 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2.

(b) (1) For the purpose of receiving state apportionments pursuant to Section 76002, the Long Beach Community College District may include high school pupils who attend a community college within the district and participate in the College Promise Partnership Act pursuant to Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 48810) of Chapter 5 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 in the district’s report of full-time equivalent students (FTES), provided that no school district has received reimbursement for the same instructional activity.

(2) The Long Beach Community College District shall report to the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges the moneys utilized for the partnership pursuant to Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 48810) of Chapter 5 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 by no later than November 1 of each year the partnership is in operation.

(c) Credit for partnership courses completed shall be at the level determined to be appropriate by the governing boards of the Long Beach Unified School District and the Long Beach Community College District pursuant to the terms of the partnership established pursuant to Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 48810) of Chapter 5 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2.

(d) The Long Beach Community College District may assign priority for enrollment and course registration to any of the following:

(1) Students pursuing and making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree, certificate, transfer, or basic skills objective that is declared or reaffirmed upon enrollment in each academic term.

(2) Students pursuing and making satisfactory academic progress pursuant to an approved individual education plan toward a career development objective that is declared or reaffirmed upon enrollment in each academic term.

(3) Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 76001, students participating in a partnership in accordance with Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 48810) of Chapter 5 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 762, Sec. 3. (AB 1533) Effective October 13, 2017.)

title: 3. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

article: 1. Admission of Students