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Board meeting erupts over STEM placement guidance; faculty and students mostly back flexible prep option
Summary
A December guidance memo from the Chancellor—s Office about AB 1705 and STEM prerequisites triggered an extended public forum at the Jan. 14 meeting. Hundreds of comments were submitted; faculty and many students supported restoring optional preparatory trigonometry/precalculus, while outside advocates urged strict AB 1705 implementation to maximize transfer-level enrollment.
An extended public forum at the California Community Colleges Board of Governors meeting on Jan. 14 focused on new Chancellor—s Office guidance on AB 1705 (the law setting placement and enrollment rules for transfer-level math). The guidance issued in December allows STEM-intending students to take one or two preparatory courses such as trigonometry or precalculus before enrolling in calculus when appropriate; the memo also preserved students— right to enroll directly in calculus.
The agency said the revised guidance balances two system goals: (1) maintain AB 1705—s mission to dramatically increase access to transfer-level courses and (2) create equitable options for students whose preparation or life circumstances make a direct jump into calculus a likely barrier to success. Deputy Chancellor Rowena Tomaneng and academic staff described the memo as responsive to field feedback and aimed at preserving student agency while…
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