April, 2019

IN THIS ISSUE

  • Forward
  • 2018-19 CCCT Board
  • AB 705 Implementation: Why Boards Need to Monitor the Course Schedule.
  • New Pathways at Citrus College: Modified Transfer Tracks for English and Math 
  • Understanding AB 705: Resources, Guidance, and Recommendations from the Academic Senate
  • Recent ETP Graduates
  • Upcoming League Events

FORWARD

Our colleges are in the midst of unprecedented change. It is change that if done well, will fundamentally transform the academic lives of many of our students.

As trustees, our role is to provide oversight and direction, and to ensure accountability and transparency. And it’s important to remember that the implementation of AB 705 must be a collaborative process. As AB 705 is implemented on our college campuses, our oversight role will be critical to whether or not it is successful. There is no question that faculty, administrators and staff are at the center of this change but more importantly so are our students. While we all have a stake in the success of our students it is their futures that are truly at stake.

However, if we keep students at the center of our discussions and deliberations, if we ask questions that lead to understanding and listen intently to the responses, if we are all working on behalf and in the best interest of students and if we are collecting actionable data, and we use that data in our deliberations and in our decision-making process, our students will be served well.

This edition of the Board Focus includes three articles that offer important insights into the implementation of AB 705. Together these articles act as an important guide for local boards as they provide meaningful oversight of the implementation process on their college campuses.

AB 705 Implementation: Why Boards Need to Monitor the Course Schedule by Katie Hern frames the next critically important phase of implementing AB 705. The article offers examples of how several colleges and their faculty have successfully implemented courses and supports on their campuses. Ensuring that students are provided the best chance of successfully completing transfer-level mathematics and English is central to these early implementers.

We are reminded that AB 705 represents a move away from traditional remedial courses and to continue their use will depress student completion of transfer-level English and math. Included in the article are several suggested questions that a board member can ask to help ascertain how AB 705 is being implemented at their college.

New Pathways at Citrus College: Modified Transfer Tracks for English and Math by Geraldine Perri, Gina Hogan and Michael Wangler shares their insights on changing how transfer-level English and math are delivered.

Citrus College is the first in the state to eliminate pre-transfer English courses and to allow every student to enroll in a “one and done” option to meet English college-level requirements. The college is also the first in the state to offer a "one and done" option for all students to complete their math transfer-level requirement. Citrus College offers an example of what can be accomplished when administrators, faculty and staff work together to support students.

Understanding AB 705: Resources, Guidance and Recommendations from the Academic Senate by Ginni May and David Morse outlines the work that has been done by the Academic Senate, the Chancellor’s Office and other key stakeholders at all levels across the community college system in support of implementation. This article focuses on clarifying “what colleges may do versus what colleges must do” to appropriately implement AB 705. Local boards can reference the information to assist in their understanding of the requirements of the law.

I encourage you to read each of these articles and to share them widely with colleagues.

By Pamela Haynes Trustee, Los Rios CCD Member, California Community College Trustee Board Vice President, California Community Colleges Board of Governors

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