Noncredit (Adult Continuing and Community Education – Lifelong Learning for all Californians is part of the community colleges system of instruction. As a key aspect of lifelong learning, noncredit instruction:
· serves as a gateway to college and/or a career path
· assists parents to develop skills needed to help their children succeed in school and life;
· provides programs for immigrants to actively engage in the economy and civic life;
· supports persons with disabilities to develop ways to be self-sufficient;
· increases community awareness of health, safety, family and consumer issues;
· provides access to basic skills and English as a Second Language; and
· keeps older adults active and healthy.
A quick reference to noncredit instruction can be found in the Noncredit at a Glance. This Guide is a result of the Alignment Project, a collaborative project with the community college system
Career Development and College Preparation Noncredit Instruction - Enhanced Funding
Enhance funding is available for noncredit programs that create opportunities for career development and college preparation through career-technical education (short-term vocational), educational development (basic skills, ESL and VESL) and workforce preparation. For noncredit courses to be eligible for enhanced funding they must be part of a sequence of courses that lead to either a certificate of completion or a certificate of competency with the intended result of improving student progress towards college or a career path. (Title 5, Section 55151). (SB 361 Enhanced Funding Application)
Community Service Offerings
Community service programs (often referred to as Community Education) offer a wide variety of affordable not-for-credit classes, workshops, seminars and excursions for personal and professional enrichment. Community service programs are self-supporting and are open to all members of the community willing to pay a minimal fee.
Staff Responsibilities: Under the direction of the Academic Affairs Division and Instructional Programs and Services Unit staff provides:
- Leadership and advocacy for quality adult continuing and community education
- Technical assistance and research
- Review and approve of all noncredit courses and programs
For Noncredit (Adult Continuing and Community Education) assistance, contact Joanne Vorhies at 916.322.9048
For Division Website Assistance, contact Kathy Carroll at 916.322.6881