【《We Chinese in America》Media Editor Tang Zhao, September 12, 2022Awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature is AB1705, a bill that would mostly ban remedial math and English classes, which can’t transfer with credit to four-year universities. If he signs the bill, it will affect more than 40 community colleges that continue to offer those classes five years after the state told them to allow students to bypass the courses. San Diego Miramar College is one of dozens of California's community colleges that still offer remedial classes, though it has reduced its offerings of those classes dramatically and faculty hope to soon eliminate them.(Photo credit: Phil Konstantin/Flickr)

Remedial classes across the state have already dwindled dramatically since the original law AB705 was adopted. This fall, 93% of introductory math courses across the state are transfer-level, up from 36% in 2017, according to the California Acceleration Project. Students have also been more successful: In fall 2020, 46% of first-time math students completed transfer-level math within one term, up from 24% in 2018, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. In most cases, students taking transfer-level classes have the opportunity to simultaneously enroll in co-requisite courses, which offer extra help with the transfer-level coursework.

San Diego Miramar College is hoping to get rid of two remedial courses of intermediate algebra that remain in its course catalog. Anne Gloag, chair of the college’s math department, said her department’s desire is to have zero remedial courses but continues to offer them to satisfy faculty elsewhere at the college. Some chemistry courses, for example, have intermediate algebra as a prerequisite.

“We want to develop a college-level math class alongside those departments that will fit their needs, but it’s a long process,” Gloag said.

Not every college offering remedial classes is as eager to get rid of them. Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo County this fall is offering four sections of intermediate algebra and applied algebra. The courses are meant for students pursuing a STEM degree who have been out of college for several years, said Jason Curtis, the college’s vice president of instruction.

The statewide faculty association is also concerned about students not having the option to take remedial classes if AB 1705 is enacted. Wendy Brill-Wynkoop, president of the faculty association, said she’s particularly concerned for older students who return to college and would be forced into transfer-level coursework that they may not be ready for.

Hetts, the executive vice chancellor for the community college system, said it’s his “strong expectation” that if AB 1705 is signed, the system will eliminate almost all remedial classes by fall 2023. Using the $64 million provided in this year’s budget, the colleges plan to spend the next year developing additional support for students taking transfer-level courses, such as more co-requisite classes and tutoring options, Hetts said.

“It’s time to finish this last leg of the race,” he said.

(Source: Ed Source)

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