Article 5. Quality Undergraduate Education of California Education Code >> Division 5. >> Title 3. >> Part 40. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 5.

It is the intent of the Legislature that public institutions of higher education in California shall provide a collegiate experience which gives each student the skills of communication and problem solving, the ideas and principles underlying the major areas of modern knowledge, the ability to consider ethical issues thoughtfully, the understanding that learning is a continuous lifelong process, and the knowledge of democracy necessary for good citizenship. The Legislature further intends that an undergraduate education prepare students to think critically and independently, and to have the flexibility to adapt to changing economic and social conditions, new workforce needs, and demands of a multicultural society. It is also the intent of the Legislature that the segments of higher education recognize that quality teaching is the core ingredient of the undergraduate educational experience. The segments of higher education are encouraged to improve the quality of undergraduate education as a central priority of California's public colleges and universities.

It is the intent of the Legislature that each segmental governing board shall affirm that the oversight of teaching quality is as important a governance issue as its other management and administrative responsibilities. It is further the intent of the Legislature that governing boards shall be proactive in protecting and advancing general education within the undergraduate curriculum.

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that there is a need to encourage policies that enhance the quality of teaching within the segments of higher education.
  (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the University of California adopt and enforce policies and procedures which ensure that quality teaching is an essential criterion, along with research, in the evaluation of faculty for appointment, retention, promotion, and tenure. It is also the intent of the Legislature that the California State University and the governing board of each community college district adopt and enforce policies and procedures that ensure that teaching is given primacy in the evaluation of faculty for appointment, retention, promotion, and tenure.
  (c) It is further the intent of the Legislature that the governing board of each public institution of higher education ensure that teaching is an essential criterion in the review of tenured faculty members.

It is the intent of the Legislature that the Regents of the University of California, the Trustees of the California State University, and community college governing boards adopt policies and procedures to ensure that new faculty are competent in classroom teaching and that instructional resources are made available for faculty to enhance their teaching. The Legislature further encourages the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges to establish appropriate incentives for improving teaching.