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Community college system in California is known for its impressive and idealistic commitment to sharing its resources with all of its 2.6 million students. This situation may soon change as a new argument by the state task force stipulates that attention, first preference in enrolment and financial incentives must be offered first to students who perform well academically.

Draft recommendation was released a month back by the task force in a bid to reboot the system. There are over 112 two-year colleges in this state that will have to deal with higher expectations. At least one quarter of community college students in America enroll in California. Full access will no longer be possible for students if these proposals are enacted.

Spanning 73 pages, the task force poses the question as to whether it is sufficient to provide access to students with no practice or policy in place that will make sure that they work hard to succeed and meet goals.

According to the task force, publicly available score cards that measure student success metrics such as completion rates must be used to grade colleges. Priority for class registration must be given to students who follow a set work plan and complete their declared program of study.

David Rattray, a member of the task force said that equal opportunities would be granted to community college students no matter what their academic preparation is in an ideal world. This however does not work in a real world.

The Task Force on Student Success came into existence following a Legislature bill passed last year in California. Twenty members form the task force including faculty members, community college administrators, business leaders and a city mayor.

Public opinions and comments are now being collected by on the report by the task force before a final version is submitted to the Legislature and the board in early 2012. While most of the changes can be adopted by the board, legislative action is required by some.

From the state’s philosophical divide, this recommendation is viewed with skepticism by many and faces criticism.

Students who have to make strides academically will suffer if these proposals come into effect according to faculty unions. The recommendations are as such facing a major hurdle in becoming a reality from the miserable budget outlook of the state.

According to the task force, most of the suggestions will save money rather than lead to new spending. However certain suggestions such as online, centralized student advising system will need extra funding.

California Community Colleges Faculty Association executive director Jonathan Lightman, this is an aspirational document that is using money woes of the state to bring about radical change. He says that especially during budget crisis, it is important to be careful about what you do.

Long Beach City College superintendent and President Eloy Oakley say however that financial crisis is the ideal time for community colleges to give attention to priorities.  He welcomes this move whole heartedly as he feels wrong types of behavior being rewarded at present.