SECTIONS 66070-66072 - California Statutes

EDUCATION CODE

SECTION 66070-66072

66070. The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:
(a) The primary goal of every higher educational institution
should be to provide a collegiate experience that gives each student
the skills of communication and problemsolving, the ideas and
principles underlying the major areas of modern knowledge, the
ability to consider critical issues thoughtfully, the understanding
that learning is a continuous lifelong process, and the knowledge of
democracy necessary for good citizenship.
(b) To improve performance, educational institutions are
encouraged to use effective assessment mechanisms based on positive
reinforcement, incentives, and cooperation.

66071. In enacting this article, it is the intent of the
Legislature to urge the continued development and implementation of
assessment processes whereby institutions of higher education
establish mechanisms, through program review and improvement, for the
assessment of their performance in attempting to improve student
learning and comprehension and achieving the expressed state policy
goals for higher education of quality, educational equity, employee
diversity, student transfer, and student retention. The primary
purposes of assessment shall be to improve teaching and learning as
well as academic advising. Assessment programs shall be focused on
activities that are campus-based, faculty-centered, and
student-responsive. Faculty, students, and academic administrators
are encouraged to work together in developing assessment programs.

66072. It is the intent of the Legislature to monitor the
performance of the University of California, the California State
University, and the community colleges in the following areas:
(a) Diversification of student bodies.
(b) Improved student transfer rates.
(c) Improved student retention rates.
(d) Diversification of faculty, nonfaculty academic staff, and
administrative positions.
(e) As a part of program review, enhanced student learning, as
demonstrated through mechanisms designed to explore improvements in
knowledge, skills, and abilities.