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Editorial: Jack Scott is good choice for community college chancellor
Published 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Story appeared in EDITORIALS section, Page B6
California's community colleges take all comers – those dabbling in a course here and there, upgrading job skills or seeking a two-year degree or planning to transfer to a four-year college.
The community colleges began in the early 1900s as an extension of the public schools, adding a 13th and 14th grade. Today, they are also the gateway to the four-year California State University and University of California systems – and they are at a crossroads.
With an economic downturn drawing more students, tough budget times driving higher fees and a need to weld California's diverse population into an educated citizenry, community colleges need a champion who can bring people together around a new, more focused mission.
State Sen. Jack Scott, D-Altadena, just named as the community colleges' chancellor, can be that champion. Scott spent 23 years working in community colleges, including as president of Pasadena City College and Cypress College in Orange County. He has seen the colleges evolve. His four years in the Assembly, eight years in the Senate and stint as chairman of the Senate Education Committee give him the skills he'll need to win backing for change.
Scott knows that the traditional emphasis on the open door is not enough. Those who walk in the door need to come out with something – a certificate or associate degree or a transfer to a four-year university.
The community colleges produce the nurses, police, child care workers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, veterinary technicians, auto mechanics and computer technicians of the future – but only if students get a two-year degree or transfer to a four-year university.
Scott knows that too many students are walking in hoping to achieve that, and walking back out without getting it. That is the challenge that Scott faces. He needs to focus anew on transfers to four-year institutions and career education. Neither the system nor the state can afford to let part-time dabbling take over as the mission of California's community colleges.
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