For years, developmental education (DE) courses in community colleges, intended to prepare students for college-level work, often became a barrier, disproportionately impacting Black, Latino, and Indigenous students. In 2017, California aimed to address this with Assembly Bill (AB) 705, which mandated that colleges use high school data for course placement, maximizing students’ chances of completing transfer-level English and math within a year.
Research for Action, in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin, is conducting a five-year study to understand the implementation and impact of AB 705. This interim report reveals both progress and persistent challenges. This report presents findings from the third year of the study, focusing on:
- Faculty Perspectives: Data from a survey of faculty in math and English departments across our study sample provides insights into their experiences with implementing AB 705.
- Student Outcomes: An analysis of student data examines enrollment and completion rates in transfer-level courses for students impacted by the reforms.
- Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: Preliminary data collection for our cost-effectiveness study is underway.
Key findings from this year’s analysis include:
- Increased Enrollment: AB 705 has led to a significant increase in student enrollment in transfer-level math and English courses.
- Improved Completion Rates: Completion rates in transfer-level courses, particularly in math, have shown notable improvement.
- Faculty Support: While most faculty report that they have received adequate implementation support, there is still a need for ongoing professional development and additional resources to further enhance teaching and student support.
Still, persistent equity gaps remain. Completion rates for Black and Latino students remain lower than their white and Asian peers, highlighting the need for targeted support. In addition, many students are unaware of AB 705 and its implications.
Recommendations:
To ensure equitable outcomes, the report recommends:
- Enhanced student support services like tutoring and counseling.
- Professional development for faculty to adapt their teaching strategies.
- Data-driven decision-making to monitor student progress.
- Prioritizing equity by providing targeted support for Black and Latinx students.
- Improved communication strategies to increase student awareness of reforms and available resources.
While AB 705 has increased access to transfer-level courses, continued effort is needed to close equity gaps and ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed.
