This staff analysis by the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges discusses and offers recommendations concerning the report, "Proposals for Strengthening the Associate Degree in the California Community Colleges," by the Task Force on Academic Quality. The paper begins with brief staff comments on the associate degree report, concluding that: (1) the lack of clear and commonly held criteria for distinguishing offerings applicable to associate degrees from those designed to accommodate underprepared students has resulted in colleges adopting a variety of practices and standards; and (2) the varying practices and standards of the colleges in determining which courses applied to the degree, together with broadly stated minimum legal requirements for the degree, have permitted variability of rigor and structure within degree titles and have subjected the degree to the same credibility problems arising nationwide. The next section discusses standards of rigor for degree applicable courses. After citing the Task Force proposal that "...the single most effective way to strengthen the associate degree would be to establish, in regulation, standards or criteria to assure that courses which are applied to the degree are taught with a level of academic rigor appropriate to the degree" and to identify "...in terms of curriculum structure which courses are and are not applicable to the degree," the staff analysis recommends the endorsement of modifications to Title 5 which would implement the Task Force recommendations. Next, recommendations are made with respect to redefining or restructuring associate degrees, including a recommendation for a study by the Chancellor of the need for such an effort, and encouragement of collaborative efforts between community colleges and four-year institutions, and of articulated occupational programs. (AYC)