BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1008
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1008 (Block)
As Amended April 13, 2009
Majority vote
HIGHER EDUCATION 8-0 APPROPRIATIONS 12-5
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|Ayes:|Portantino, Conway, |Ayes:|De Leon, Ammiano, Charles |
| |Block, Fong, Galgiani, | |Calderon, Davis, Fuentes, |
| |Huber, Ma, Ruskin | |Hall, John A. Perez, Price, |
| | | |Skinner, Solorio, |
| | | |Torlakson, Krekorian |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+----------------------------|
| | |Nays:|Nielsen, Duvall, Harkey, |
| | | |Miller, |
| | | |Audra Strickland |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires the Board of Governors (BOG) of the
California Community Colleges (CCC) to convene a working group
that includes the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO), the CCC
Consultation Council, and the Academic Senate for the CCC, to
make findings and recommendations to the Legislature and the
Governor, by July 1, 2010, regarding statewide assessments that
can be utilized to test the basic skills of students as they
enter CCC.
EXISTING LAW establishes matriculation services that shall be
made available by CCC, including, among other services, the
administration of assessment instruments to determine competency
in math and language skills and student study and learning
skills.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, negligible fiscal impact as this bill codifies a
current function. Following an LAO recommendation the CCC
Chancellor's Office established a working group to look into
establishing a statewide assessment test that could be used by
all CCCs.
COMMENTS : Numerous studies have found that incoming CCC
students should be assessed prior to enrolling in classes. The
AB 1008
Page 2
most commonly used assessment instruments are standardized
tests. The purpose of these tests is to determine the
proficiency level of students in math and English. Based on
assessment results, campuses can then direct students to take
coursework that is appropriate for their skill level. A number
of recent studies have linked mandatory assessment with improved
student outcomes such as course completion and graduation rates.
The author notes that CCC does not currently have a uniform
assessment tool for examining how well the reading, writing, and
math skills of perspective students are aligned with CCC
standards and expectations. Individual colleges often use
different assessment tests and employ different definitions of
college readiness. The author asserts that "establishing a
working group regarding statewide assessments will help the
state create tangible solutions to effectively assess the basic
skills of incoming students."
Analysis Prepared by : Laura Metune / HIGHER ED. / (916)
319-3960
FN: 0001113