This study presents information on instructional staffing in the Los Angeles Community College District in a format that facilitates the development of staffing standards appropriate to specific disciplines or program areas. This year's study compares Fall 1996 staffing levels in three different ways: (1) data on Full-Time Equivalent Faculty (FTEF) per Weekly Student Contact Hour (WSCH) are arrayed by discipline or program area permitting comparisons across colleges in each area; (2) selected highest previous District averages within each program area from the period since 1981 are presented for historical comparison; and (3) highest state averages within each program area from the period from 1988 to 1993 are also shown where available so that comparisons with other community colleges can be made. In all but two area groups, the Fall 1996 District average WSCH/FTEF was below previous District averages. In most cases all of the colleges in Fall 1996 were below previous District averages within each program area and generally were below state figures. In the three largest program areas, English, Math, and Social Sciences, the District average WSCH/FTEF had fallen from the previous high average by 17 percent, 16 percent, and 22 percent respectively. Across all program areas, 326 less hourly-rate FTEF might have been expended if previous averages were preserved. (JL)