Impact of AB 705 and Transfer-Level Courses on Community College Student Outcomes

• In Event: Legal Frameworks and Policy Paradigms: Shaping Disability and Access in Education

Abstract

California community colleges offer access to higher education for diverse students, including those with learning disabilities (LD), who graduate at lower rates than peers without disabilities. Assembly Bill (AB) 705, implemented in 2017, eliminated remedial courses and required enrollment in transfer-level math and English within one year. This quantitative correlational study examined the impact of AB 705 on course and degree completion for 9,331 students at two Southern California colleges. Grounded in critical disability theory and universal design for learning, the study used cross-tabulations and logistic regression. Results show increased access but persistent disparities in pass rates for students with LD. Findings highlight the need for targeted support to improve outcomes and promote equity in community colleges.

Author

• Rachelle Lopez, California State University - Long Beach