SECTIONS 66050-66053 - California Statutes

EDUCATION CODE

SECTION 66050-66053

66050. It is the intent of the Legislature that public institutions
of higher education in California shall provide a collegiate
experience which gives each student the skills of communication and
problem solving, the ideas and principles underlying the major areas
of modern knowledge, the ability to consider ethical issues
thoughtfully, the understanding that learning is a continuous
lifelong process, and the knowledge of democracy necessary for good
citizenship. The Legislature further intends that an undergraduate
education prepare students to think critically and independently, and
to have the flexibility to adapt to changing economic and social
conditions, new workforce needs, and demands of a multicultural
society. It is also the intent of the Legislature that the segments
of higher education recognize that quality teaching is the core
ingredient of the undergraduate educational experience. The segments
of higher education are encouraged to improve the quality of
undergraduate education as a central priority of California's public
colleges and universities.

66051. It is the intent of the Legislature that each segmental
governing board shall affirm that the oversight of teaching quality
is as important a governance issue as its other management and
administrative responsibilities. It is further the intent of the
Legislature that governing boards shall be proactive in protecting
and advancing general education within the undergraduate curriculum.

66052. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that there is a need
to encourage policies that enhance the quality of teaching within the
segments of higher education.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the University of
California adopt and enforce policies and procedures which ensure
that quality teaching is an essential criterion, along with research,
in the evaluation of faculty for appointment, retention, promotion,
and tenure. It is also the intent of the Legislature that the
California State University and the governing board of each community
college district adopt and enforce policies and procedures that
ensure that teaching is given primacy in the evaluation of faculty
for appointment, retention, promotion, and tenure.
(c) It is further the intent of the Legislature that the governing
board of each public institution of higher education ensure that
teaching is an essential criterion in the review of tenured faculty
members.

66053. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Regents of the
University of California, the Trustees of the California State
University, and community college governing boards adopt policies and
procedures to ensure that new faculty are competent in classroom
teaching and that instructional resources are made available for
faculty to enhance their teaching. The Legislature further encourages
the University of California, the California State University, and
the California Community Colleges to establish appropriate incentives
for improving teaching.