OER and ZTC

Updates regarding the ZTC Degree Program are provided in chronological order. Please scroll to the end of this section to view the latest developments.

In late March of 2022 a letter was sent to the Board of Governors by the Michelson 20MM Foundation on behalf of OER advocates to offer suggestions regarding the program. The following is from the letter that was submitted as a public comment:

The $115 million Governor Newsom dedicated to ZTC degree programs has the potential to
transform the system’s course material landscape. With this funding, California stands to
cement itself as a bold, national leader in textbook affordability. Such leadership comes with the
responsibility to ensure that these funds are used with long-term impact top of mind, and with an
understanding that how this investment is shepherded will be closely studied and will impact
countless state and federal textbook affordability initiatives in the coming years.

July 29, 2022 ZTC Program Update

California Education Code 78052 (j) specifies that “The chancellor’s office shall award an initial round of grants no later than January 1 of a fiscal year for which the funds are appropriated.” A revised version of the July 29, 2022 “Zero Textbook Cost Program – Overview and Guidance” is now available (posted 8-3-22). It provides a brief background of ZTC in the colleges, recognizes the ASCCC-proposed section-level data element (see below) as a critical component of tracking instructional materials costs, states the Chancellor’s Office’s intent to convene a ZTC Taskforce, and announces that there will be a “Phase 1” of grants that will provide $20,000 to colleges to “begin the development of a ZTC program.” A competitive “Phase 2” was supposed to have been made available in Fall 2022, but as of January 25, 2023, no additional information has been provided. The “ZTC Taskforce” referenced in the July 2022 memo has been renamed as it is explicitly not about the ZTC Program.

August 4, 2022 CCCCO Presentation Slides from Cal OER Higher Education System Updates

Tuesday, August 30, 2022 1:30 pm

ZTC Phase 1 and Phase 2 Grants Overview Meeting Unedited Recording
ZTC Phase 1 and Phase 2 Grants Overview Meeting – Presentation PDF
On August 30, at 1:30 pm, the Chancellor’s Office will provide an overview the initial rounds of grant funding for the ZTC program.

Beginning on page 262 of the 2022-23 California Community Colleges Compendium of Allocations
and Resources you will find coverage of the ZTC Program (page reference and link updated 11-21-22). Please note that this is a living document that is updated as new information is made available. This document was shared at the September 9 2022 ZTC Office Hours.

September 9, 2022 Zero Textbook Cost Program: Overview OERI Friday Forum Presentation Slides

September 9, 2022 Zero Textbook Cost Program: Overview OERI Friday Forum Archived Presentation

ZTC Phase 1 in NOVA

Sep 15, 2022 – Consultation Council Meeting – Social Determinants of Educational Success Ecosystem: A Deep Look at Zero Textbook Cost

Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Program Overview: What we think we know Version 2 (ASCCC OERI, May 8, 2023)

February 23, 2023 ZTC Program Updates

• Zero Textbook Cost Program Updates

• ZTC Monthly Office Hours – Office hours will now be held on the last Friday of the month from 9:00 am-10:00 am starting as of June 23, 2023.

July 2023, Consultation Council and Board of Governors (BoG)

On Thursday, July 20 and Monday, July 24, a BoG resolution related to the cost of course materials, the ZTC Program, and the Instructional Materials Task Force were all discussed. Most notably, the presentation slide deck shares details of a new funding phase that would be published on August 15, 2023, and due on September 15, 2023.

ZTC Acceleration Grant Information Sessions

ZTC Acceleration Grant Information Session Presentation Slides

ZTC Acceleration Grant information sessions were on Tuesdays from 12 – 1 pm from August 15 – September 12.

View the archived materials from the ZTC Acceleration Grant Information Sessions.

August 21, 2023

Guidance Memo ESS 23-37 – Zero Textbook Grants Program Updates & Acceleration Grants

November 30, 2023

Collaboration Cohorts Frequently Asked Questions

February 2, 2024

Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Collaboration Cohorts webinar recording and presentation slides

ZTC Program Resources and Communications

• CCCCO ZTC Listserv Communications
  We are archiving all communications that are sent from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) using the ZTC listserv. Subscribe to the ZTC listserv.
• ZTC Pathway Readiness Assessment – PDF (distributed via the ZTC listserv June 12, 2023).
• Acceleration Grant from NOVA – Downloaded August 15. 2023.
• ZTC Professional Development Courses Spring 2024
• ZTC Acceleration Grant Information Sessions Archives

We’re excited to share with you a collaborative approach facilitated by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) and the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) to help colleges proceed with the development and implementation of zero textbook cost (ZTC) program pathways. The CCCCO and the ASCCC have developed a solution to address the legislative restriction against permitting duplication of ZTC program pathway grants in a subject matter. Ed Code § 78052 states that the CCCCO shall “ensure that a grant does not result in the development or implementation of duplicate degrees for a subject matter to avoid duplication of effort and ensure the development and implementation of the greatest number of degrees for the benefit of the greatest number of students.” Colleges are encouraged to establish ZTC pathways for all their degrees and CTE certificate programs; however, a means for allowing ZTC program pathways creation in the same subject matter at multiple colleges created a significant challenge. 

Colleges that submitted (or will submit) ZTC program plans that are likely duplicative within a subject matter were invited to participate in a Collaboration Cohort, organized by academic program, for the purpose of determining if collaborative work that avoids duplication of effort is warranted. As part of Collaboration Cohort, colleges will learn more about what open educational resource (OER) options exist for courses, discuss their specific needs, learn what other colleges are planning, craft a joint plan to address gaps in pathways, and potentially co-create OER to fill these gaps. If collaboration across colleges is warranted, a plan will be developed for submission by all participating colleges to obtain any additional funding that is required. The goal is to identify opportunities for collaboration, when appropriate, and share workloads where beneficial.

The CCCCO identified the ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative (OERI) as having the experience supporting both individual instructors and groups of faculty to curate, adapt, and author online educational resources (OER). The OERI possesses a network of OER liaisons and Discipline Leads across the state, and the OERI is deeply connected to the ASCCC’s work on curriculum. In short, the OERI is the ideal organization to lead collaboration efforts amongst colleges that will result in creation of ZTC program pathways across the State. 

For information on the ZTC Collaboration Cohorts, please visit ZTC Acceleration Grant Collaboration Cohort Information.

In years past, the California Community Colleges have benefited from funds to promote the adoption of open educational resources (OER) and expand zero textbook cost (ZTC) degrees, but the potential of OER and ZTC have never been fully realized. Intersegmental OER-related efforts were effective in driving OER adoption and ZTC funds served to further advance these efforts.

In 2016 $5 million was appropriated to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to establish the establish the Zero-Textbook-Cost Degree Grant. The use of these funds was described in the Zero-Textbook-Cost Degree Grant Program California Community Colleges 2020 Legislative Report:

The Chancellor’s Office allocated 79% ($3,962,571) of the $5 million appropriation as competitive planning and implementation grants to colleges and districts. Planning grants ($35,000 each) helped institutions identify potential ZTC degree programs and courses, coordinate stakeholders, and prepare for the creation and adoption of effective open educational resources to support the ZTC Program. Implementation grants (up to $150,000 each) enabled colleges to develop and adopt open educational resources in course and program design, ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the federal Copyright Act of 1976, and implement ZTC degree programs on campus.

Zero-Textbook-Cost Degree Grant Program California Community Colleges 2020 Legislative Report (tinyurl.com/2021ZTC) p. 10

Thirty-two of the state’s 115 accredited degree-granting colleges (approximately 28%) received funds from the first Zero-Textbook-Cost Degree Grant. Of these, nine received only a planning grant of up to $35,000. Thirteen received one implementation grant of up to $150,000. The remaining colleges received both types of grants (8), two implementation grants (1), or one planning grant and two implementation grants (1). During this funding cycle, nothing was done to prevent duplication and no structures were established for ensuring accountability. In addition, no efforts were made to encourage expansion or ensure sustainability. The 2021 appropriation that is the focus of this document specifically references preventing duplication, sustainability, and collaboration (access California Education Code 78052 for more information).

During the summer of 2021, the California legislature designated 115 million dollars to expand ZTC degrees in the California Community Colleges. While the language of the bill and legislation is unclear and introduces definitions that conflict with existing definitions of OER and ZTC in California and beyond, it is hoped that appropriate constituencies can collaborate to ensure these funds are spent responsibly with an emphasis on growing the availability of no-cost course sections across the state in a sustainable manner. It is critical to begin by ensuring a minimum level of readiness at the colleges for growing local ZTC efforts and establishing a system for accountability. At present, compliance with related textbook affordability requirements and regulations is inconsistent, as is the level of support for ZTC and/or OER efforts more generally. As a primary goal of expanding the availability of ZTC awards (i.e., certificates and degrees) is to make higher education more affordable, ZTC is associated with textbook affordability and cost transparency in this document.

The OERI Textbook Affordability and Cost Transparency Proposal has been developed by the ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative (OERI) and provides recommendations with respect to the use of the allocated ZTC dollars, and data to support those recommendations. Unless otherwise indicated, the recommendations are not formal positions of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC). ASCCC establishes positions through a resolution process that involves delegates from colleges and districts across the state. All but one of the resolutions contained in Appendix B were adopted at the 2021 Fall Plenary. “Faculty Responsibility for Confirming Course Resource Accuracy” was referred for refinement. In Spring 2022, the perfected Faculty Responsibility for Confirming Course Resource Accuracy was adopted.

Advocates See A Future Of Zero Textbook Costs For College Students (September 28, 2022; LAist, part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR)

Let’s help struggling students rather than benefiting textbook publishers (September 20, 2022; EdSource)

Newsom’s bid to make textbooks free delayed in community colleges central office
State gave community colleges $115 million last year (July 18, 2022; EdSource)

California 2-Year Colleges to Begin $115M OER Experiment (February 4, 2022; Inside Higher Ed)

On October 10, 2023, Assembly Bill 607 was signed into law. This legislation modified California Education Code 66406.9 (often referred to as “SB 1359“) that established the requirement that the California Community Colleges and the campuses of the California State University system:

Clearly highlight, by means that may include a symbol or logo in a conspicuous place on the online campus course schedule, the courses that exclusively use digital course materials that are free of charge to students and may have a low-cost option for print versions.

The elements of 66406.9 that established the requirement that no-cost sections be marked in course schedules was not modified by AB 607, but a significant addition was made to the law that establishes a new requirement related to cost transparency:

Prominently display, by means that may include a link to a separate internet web page, the estimated costs for each course of all required course materials and fees directly related to those materials, for no less than 40 percent by January 1, 2025, 55 percent by January 1, 2026, 65 percent by January 1, 2027, and 75 percent by January 1, 2028, of the total number of courses on the online campus course schedule for which a faculty member or course instructor has been assigned. “Course materials” as used in this paragraph includes digital or physical textbooks, devices such as calculators and remote attendance platforms, and software subscriptions.

While the federal requirement that colleges and universities that receive federal funds must display the costs of textbooks and supplemental materials to students at the time of registration has been in effect since July 1, 2010 (summary of the textbook provision of the Higher Education Opportunity Act), the requirement that all of the costs associated with a specific course section must be displayed is new and requires colleges to provide information about costs that may be for resources not purchased at the bookstore, which is most commonly to source for such cost information.

While the increased cost transparency required by this legislation is supported by the established positions of the ASCCC, its implementation is not without its complexities. Most notably:

• within one section of California Education Code there are two different definitions regarding course materials, one that excludes supplies for the purpose of identifying no-cost course sections and one that includes supplies when providing cost information in course schedules. This inconsistency is important to note as the no-cost definition is aligned with the definition used when identifying Zero Textbook Cost course sections while the cost information one is not.
• despite the federal cost transparency requirement, some California Community Colleges have yet to provide cost information.
• while most California Community Colleges do provide information regarding costs in their schedules, the additional costs that must now be included are for materials that may not usually be purchased through the bookstore, which is the most common source of such cost information.

Guidance to Assist Textbook Publishers and Institutions of Higher Education in Implementing Section 133 of the HEA of 1965, as amended

ASCCC Resolutions – OERI, ZTC, and Course Materials More Generally

California Community Colleges – Low-Cost Textbook Definitions

The ASCCC OERI has conducted an analysis of course schedules to determine compliance with the federal requirement that textbook information be provided to students at the time of registration and California law that requires that no cost (Zero Textbook Cost or ZTC) sections be “marked”. Read more about these course cost-transparency requirements. Please note that all data represent the status of a college at a specific point in time.

The following data were current based on a review of course schedules from Fall of 2021. They will be updated early in 2022. When this update has been completed, it will be announced via the Canvas course.

Public Speaking Analysis Overview – Updated February 16, 2022

• Colleges Lacking Textbook Information
• Colleges Lacking a Zero Textbook Cost Mark

While not all courses can achieve ZTC status through the use of OER, the number of courses that can is considerable.

ASCCC OERI OER Collections

• By Discipline – Updated September 27, 2021.
• By California State University General Education
• By Transfer Model Curriculum
• By C-ID – “C-ID” refers to the Course Identification Numbering System that establishes articulation among the California Community Colleges.

The 2016-17 Budget: Assessing the Governor’s Zero-Textbook-Cost Proposal (Legislative Analyst’s Office, 2016)

California Education Code 78052 – Zero-Textbook-Cost Degree Grant Program (Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 144, Sec. 60. (AB 132) Effective July 27, 2021.)

California ZTC Degree – Community College Consortium for Open Educational Resources (CCCOER) article.

Libraries and ZTC/LTC: Frequently Asked Questions – Added 11-18-22

SB 132 (2021); SB 132 (2021) ZTC Excerpt

Zero-Textbook-Cost-Degree Program Legislative Report (California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, 2021) An overview of the use of $5 million in one-time Proposition 98 funds that were appropriated to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Budget Act of 2016 to establish the Zero-Textbook-Cost Degree Grant Program (“the ZTC Program”).

Zero-Textbook-Cost Degree Grant Program (RFA #16-066, #16-080) Frequently Asked Questions (California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, 2016) A document addressing commonly asked questions related to a prior round of ZTC funding. Please refer to question 12 for information related to homework systems.