The purpose of this study was to produce data and information that inform California Community College decision-makers of: (a) extent of variance in California's associate degree definitions and graduation requirements, and (b) perceptions of curricular leaders regarding the variances. Associate degree definitions and graduation requirements were compiled and analyzed from the 1997-98 catalogs for the 106 institutions. Degrees offered, number of general education units required, level of English and math required, transfer patterns, and general studies degree patterns were compiled in tables. The interpreted data from the catalog research were confirmed by the articulation officers. Chief Instructional Officers and Curriculum Chairs at each college were surveyed regarding the degree variations and graduation requirements. Were the differences considered problems or issues for the California Community College system? The catalog review findings indicated that a quarter of the colleges define the degrees in terms of purpose (transfer or occupational) while three-quarters define the degree by major or discipline. The minimum number of general education units required to earn an associate degree range from the legal minimum of 18 semester units to as many as 41 units. One-third of the colleges require freshman English composition while others accept a course one level below. Titles used for transfer general education programs are the same titles used for non-transfer or general studies programs at other colleges. The AA in Liberal Arts is comprised of transfer general education on some campuses, while it is a general studies degree on others. A majority of the leaders surveyed agreed that the California Community College system should work toward developing common definitions for associate degrees. The leaders supported offering the Associate of Applied Science degree. The study concluded that Associate degrees vary so significantly among the 106 campuses of the California Community College system that there is no common meaning to the degree. Associate degree definitions in California have no relationship to the definitions set by the American Association of Community Colleges. The study recommended that an Associate Degree Task Force be convened to study the issue and present recommendations to the California Community College Board of Governors. / Graduation date: 2000

Graduation date: 1995

I evaluated the use of various wetlands by wintering ducks in the Tulare Lake Basin (TLB), California, during October 1982 - April 1983 and September 1983 - March 1984. Aerial waterfowl counts of the TLB were used to document spacial use patterns by ducks. Ground surveys on evaporation ponds in the Tulare Lake Drainage District (TLDD) were used to evaluate duck use of specific ponds with varying chemical and biological parameters. During mid-winter, up to 300,000 ducks used the TLB. The most abundant species (northern pintail (Anas acuta), northern shoveler (Anas clvoeata), and green-winged teal (Anas crecca)) were found on freshwater habitats. Ruddy ducks (Oxvura jamaicensis) were the only species to extensively use the evaporation ponds. With the exception of ruddy ducks, the evaporation ponds did not appear to be valuable for feeding areas, but provided sanctuary during the hunting season. The use of evaporation ponds by waterfowl may be heavier in years without the extensive floodwater that was present during this study. / Graduation date: 1991

The California experience previous to the passage of Proposition 13 taught the citizens of California that even with representation, the freedoms of individuals could be threatened. This lesson is especially true when we see the assessment scandals, a rapidly increasing real estate market and the failure of California’s representative officials to respond to the threat to individual liberty. In addition to watching corrupt tax assessors take advantage of the system, individuals were tired of paying inflated property taxes that were changing drastically from year to year. People’s homes were literally being taken from them by the power of the tax collector. This strongly deviated from the initial founding of our nation that was supposed to be “of the people, by the people and for the people.” While few people initially expected Proposition 13 to pass, ultimately it passed with 64.8 percent of the vote. The initiative process in California gave individuals the opportunity to make a constitutional amendment to the California Constitution in regards to the taxation processes of the government. With the passage of Proposition 13, the citizens of California made their statement.

This study examined the education and preparation of 220 full-time learning assistance professionals in California's public Community College, State University, and University of California systems. The purpose of the study was to describe selected characteristics of the professionals and to assess their implications for future training programs. The results were reported in percents of responses, and analysis revealed considerable uniformity among the respondents despite the differences among the three public systems of higher education. The results of the study also suggested the importance of a uniform curriculum being established to prepare future learning assistance professionals for the field. Based upon the information generated by the results of the study, and a review of the literature, guidelines were developed that consisted of competencies and activities that should be included in a program designed to educate and train full-time learning assistance profesionals at the Master's degree level. Recommendations were included in the study. / Graduation date: 1993

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Graduation date: 1997