Review of Title 5 Regulations Pertaining to Professional Development

Fall
2011
Resolution Number
19.07
 
Contact
Assigned to
Faculty Leadership Development Committee
Category
Professional Standards
Status
Completed
Status Report

Update 6/25/2015: Flex Calendars are currently under review by the Student Success Center, on which the ASCCC has representatives.  Recommendations will be coming forward from the CCCCO.  Deemed complete.

Whereas, Faculty professional development activities directly improve teaching and learning and should be funded by the state;

Whereas, College-wide and individual activities that satisfy “flex” requirements may include options that do not directly promote the improvement of teaching and learning; and

Whereas, Title 5 §55724 provides options and compliance measures for professional development of “instructional staff” which list the types of flex activities for which apportionment may be claimed:

55724 (a) The governing board of a district wishing to conduct a flexible calendar pursuant to this article shall obtain the advance approval of the Chancellor. The request for approval shall be on a form provided by the Chancellor, and shall address at least the following:

  1. A complete description of the calendar configuration.
  2. The number of days of instruction and evaluation which will meet the requirements of the 175-Day Rule (Section 58120 of this part).
  3. The number of days during which instructional staff will participate in staff, student, and instructional improvement activities in lieu of part of regular classroom instruction.
  4. The activities which college personnel will be engaged in during their designated staff, student and instructional improvement days. Activities for college personnel may also include, but need not be limited to, the following:
    1. course instruction and evaluation;
    2. staff development, in-service training and instructional improvement.
    3. program and course curriculum or learning resource development and evaluation;
    4. student personnel services;
    5. learning resource services;
    6. related activities, such as student advising, guidance, orientation, matriculation services, and student, faculty, and staff diversity;
    7. departmental or division meetings, conferences and workshops, and institutional research;
    8. other duties as assigned by the district;
    9. the necessary supporting activities for the above;

 

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges develop a definition of faculty professional development and clarify the types of activities that would satisfy faculty professional development and bring this definition back for approval at Fall Plenary 2012;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges support the use of faculty professional development as a means of improving instruction, particularly with respect to meeting the needs of basic skills students, and assert the primacy of faculty in determining what faculty professional development activities are most appropriate; and

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges provide guidance to colleges on the appropriate use of flexible calendar days and the development of the required district flexible calendar plans.

MSC