Community College League of California Calls for Reform of Outdated Fifty Percent Law to Support Modern Student Success
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 12, 2025
Community College League of California Calls for Reform of Outdated Fifty Percent Law to Support Modern Student Success
Sacramento, CA – The Community College League of California (the League) has released a report titled Modernizing California Community College Funding: Reforming the Fifty Percent Law to Support Student Success. The report highlights the urgent need to reform or eliminate California’s Fifty Percent Law (enacted in 1961), which limits funding flexibility and restricts colleges from fully investing in critical student support services.
The Fifty Percent Law requires California community colleges (CCCs) to spend at least half of their general funds on direct classroom instruction. While intended to ensure robust faculty support, this 64-year-old policy ignores the changing needs of modern students, ultimately limiting colleges’ ability to provide vital services that promote academic success and well-being.
“Today’s students – and today’s workforce needs – require educational experiences that extend beyond the classroom,” said Larry Galizio, President & CEO of the Community College League of California. “By modernizing the Fifty Percent Law, we can ensure that California’s community colleges are empowered to meet the needs of today’s learners and equip them for future success.”
The report cites the evolving needs of today’s 2.2 million California community college students. Demographics have shifted significantly, with more non-traditional students balancing work, family and studies. Comprehensive support systems like counseling, basic needs and wellness programs, and technology services promote student achievement and post-college success. Even prior to the global pandemic, campuses enhanced IT infrastructure to meet student needs, including the use of digital learning platforms and online education systems—both nonexistent in 1961. Additionally, protections for faculty through union contracts, the Faculty Obligation Number, and the Student-Centered Funding Formula have made the Fifty Percent Law redundant and restrictive.
“The Fifty-Percent Law no longer reflects the realities of today’s community colleges or the needs of our students,” said Carole Goldsmith, chancellor at State Center Community College District. “Faculty members play a crucial role inside and outside the classroom, providing guidance, mentorship, and critical support services that drive student success. Yet, this outdated law restricts our ability to invest in counseling, librarians, and essential wraparound services that help students stay enrolled and achieve their goals. If we are truly committed to equity and student success, we must modernize this law to align with the mission of today’s community colleges.”
Community college leaders call for an examination and revision of the educational code to provide flexibility and permit districts to address modern learning needs.
“The Fifty Percent Law might just be the single most damaging law to the success of our most at risk students,” said Willy Duncan, superintendent/president at Sierra College. “In 1961, the role of a faculty member was much different than it is today. Today the work faculty do outside the classroom is as vital as the work they do in the classroom. Research shows that it is critical to provide holistic support to our students if we are to help them be successful and the 50 Percent Law hinders our ability to do it. We must be allowed to hire the faculty and non-instructional/ support staff that are both paramount to the success of our students. It’s time for a change.”
To better serve California’s 2.2 million community college students, the report proposes a redefinition of instructional spending to include faculty release time, librarians, counselors, and assistive technology support positions in the calculation. Additionally, the report recommends the implementation of a waiver system that would provide community colleges the same flexibility K-12 districts have to adjust to the unique needs of their students and communities.
Fifty Percent Law Executive Summary
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For media inquiries or additional information, please contact:
Lori Bachand Kaylie Schmidt
(916) 969-6930 (209) 663-1100
lori@ccleague.org kaylie@ccleague.org
Website: www.ccleague.org