Whereas, The field of learning assistance has evolved since the last Academic Senate resolutions in 2008 (10.01 F08) [1] and 2011 (10.12 S11) [2] that addressed minimum qualifications and a 2011 article about separating learning assistance and tutoring [3];
Whereas, The minimum qualifications for learning skills coordinators or instructors specify only qualifications for faculty in tutoring or learning assistance offerings collecting apportionment, [4] and any learning assistance and tutoring center constitutes a space comparable to a classroom or library and should be overseen, at least in partnership with staff or administration, by qualified faculty whether or not it is collecting apportionment;
Whereas, A great need has been created in the current context of AB 705 (Irwin, 2017), guided pathways, equity, and culturally responsive teaching for understanding of learning assistance as a field and how it fits into the context of the California community colleges not in a secondary role but in a symbiotic partnership for student learning and as a site like the classroom and library for student learning; and
Whereas, “Specific standards for” learning assistance and tutoring “have appeared piecemeal as Education Code sections, accreditation guidelines, professional guidelines, and ethics statements, but nowhere have these standards been collected, reviewed, and presented systematically to the California community colleges with specific application to the roles of” learning skills coordinators or instructors, and tutoring coordinators “in the California community colleges”; [5]
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges develop a standards of practice resource, such as a paper, web resource, or guidebook, for learning assistance and tutoring in the California Community Colleges, including the role of learning skills coordinators or instructors and tutoring coordinators by July 30, 2021.
MSU
[1] ASCCC Resolution 10.01 F08: Minimum Qualifications for Learning AssistanceCoordinators and Instructors
[2] ASCCC Resolution 10.02 S11: Supplemental Learning Assistance and Tutoring centerCoordinator Minimimum Qualifications
[3] Sanchez, R. (2011) Separating Learning Assistance and Tutoring. Rostrum. ASCCC.
[4] Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators in the California CommunityColleges
[5] ASCCC Resolution 16.01 S09: Develop Standards of Practice Paper for LibraryServices