Congratulations to Dr. Denise Richardson, President of Berkeley City College, and her co-author, Dr. Alfred McQuarters, President of Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, for the publication of their article in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, a national magazine with over 35,000 readers.
The article, “AB 705: Bold Policy, Implications for Equitable Student Success,” discusses California's AB 705, a policy designed to increase community college students' access to transfer-level math and English courses by eliminating remedial placement. While the policy has successfully increased enrollment in these courses, it has also revealed persisting equity gaps, particularly for Black and Latinx students. The authors highlight concerns that AB 705 might inadvertently create new barriers, especially for students who have historically faced educational disadvantages.
Dr. Richardson and Dr. McQuarters emphasize the need to move beyond a "one-size-fits-all" critique of AB 705. They argue that the policy provides a flexible framework for innovation, allowing educators to implement culturally relevant pedagogy, curriculum revisions, and embedded support systems. They stress that the goal is not merely to increase enrollment but to ensure students, particularly those from underrepresented groups, succeed in these courses.
The article concludes by calling for a shared equity leadership approach, emphasizing collaboration, courage, and a commitment to student outcomes. The authors advocate for continuous improvement, urging colleges to measure success by student achievement rather than policy compliance. Dr. Richardson and her colleague highlight the importance of creating supportive educational ecosystems that empower all students, regardless of background, to thrive in transfer-level courses.
The article was published as part of the series, “Behind the Desk: Perspectives of Black Community College CEOs,” which is a column edited by Drs. Tina M. King, Jamal A. Cooks, and David M. Johnson (President of Merritt College).