| Funding, Priorities, and Curriculum |
5/23/03 2:38 PM |
| Author:
Leslie Smith
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The major problem facing noncredit/adult education is underfunding per Full-time Student Equivalent. We need to develop a strategy so that when we come out of this economic downturn, we will be able to increase funding and thus improve the quality of education and service to the most needy adults in the state.
Adult education started in 1856 in San Francisco in response to a local need. Local communities may have different needs. Prioritization of course offerings needs to remain a function of local boards of trustees in response to local community needs.
Curriculum should not be standardized statewide. Once again noncredit needs to be able to respond to local needs, frequently in response to local job markets. Noncredit also needs to remain flexible and able to quickly develop and modify curriculum to meet changes in local needs, whether in the job market or in response to changes in the local community college credit programs. Furthermore, noncredit needs to articulate when appropriate with local college credit programs. Currently, development of curriculum is the responsibility of local faculty and approval the responsibility of local curriculum committees. This is the best and most appropriate place to do so.
Posted as a reply to:
SB 823 - Adult Education by Charles Ratliff 
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