Victor Valley College awarded for equitable placement strategies

Victor Valley College recently receives six Campaign for College Opportunity Excellence in Placement Awards for its implementation of equitable course placement practices.

“The awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of VVC’s faculty, staff, and students, and a reminder of the important role that community colleges play in providing access to higher education and supporting student success, “ said VVC Superintendent/President Daniel Walden in a written statement.

Sonya Christian, the newly appointed Chancellor of California Community Colleges, extended her heartfelt congratulations to President Waldenfor the school’s “remarkable accomplishments” in equitable course placement.

During the ceremony, community colleges were honored for implementing the landmark placement policy AB705, championed by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and signed into law in 2017.

AB 705 is intended to support assessment and placement strategies proven to increase student completion rates and close the achievement gap by requiring colleges to consider a student's high school coursework and GPA as primary determining factors for placement, according to California Community Colleges.

The Victorville-based VVC was recognized among 56 California community colleges during the second annual placement award ceremony on May 31 on downtown Los Angeles, VVC officials said.

AB 705 is a bill signed by the Gov. Gavin Newsom in Oct. 2017 and took effect on Jan. 1, 2018. The bill requires that a community college district or college maximize the probability that a student will enter and complete transfer-level coursework in English and math within a one year time frame and use, in the placement of students into English and math courses, one or more of the following: high school coursework, high school grades, and high school grade point average.

The bill also authorizes the Board of Governors to establish regulations governing the use of measures, instruments and placement models to ensure that these measures, instruments and placement models achieve the goal of maximizing the probability that a student will enter and complete transfer-level coursework in English and math.

Before AB 705, the majority of incoming community college students were placed into remedial math and English courses that ultimately discouraged and derailed students on their college journeys, VVC officials said.

Over a decade of research showed that the likelihood of students earning a degree decreases when they start college in remedial courses.

“As we celebrate the record number of California community colleges that are placing students in transfer-level courses, we must remember that equity and success for all students, particularly Black and Latinx students, must be at the forefront of our efforts,” said Michele Siqueiros, president of the Campaign for College Opportunity. “These colleges are leading the way in providing equitable access to higher education and ensuring that we break down barriers to student success.”

“By providing students with the support and resources they need, we are making it clear that their college dreams are a priority, and we are helping to build a stronger, more prosperous California,” Siqueiros added. “After all, California succeeds when students complete college and earn a degree, certificate or transfer to a university as a result of a stronger and smoother pathway.”

VVC has set itself apart as the only community college in Southern California to receive a superior rating in Campuswide Transfer-Level Math Enrollment.

This recognition signifies that VVC has effectively supported 100% of its students in enrolling directly into transfer-level math coursework, VVC officials said.

VVC has also been commended for its exceptional support in enabling 100% of students to enroll directly in transfer-level English coursework.

Earlier this year, VVC was awarded the 2023 John W. Rice Award from the California Community Colleges Board of Governors for its student-centered strategies that combine strong tutoring programs, vibrant math and writing centers, and an innovative student-run call center that provides immediate support to students.

The award comes at a time when community colleges across California are working to expand access to higher education and improve student outcomes.

VVC’s student-centered strategies have been a key part of its success in these efforts, and the college’s leadership is committed to continuing to innovate and improve its programs and services.

The VVCC District is one of 73 community college districts within the California Community College system, the largest educational system in the world, which encompasses 116 community colleges.

The district has for 60 years provided its communities and students with affordable career training, certificates, associate degrees, and transfer preparation into four-year colleges or universities through VVC.

For additional information on the VVCCD, contact VVC Director of Marketing and Public Relations Robert Sewell at 760-245-4271, Ext. 2395 or via email at robert.sewell@vvc.edu

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Victor Valley College awarded for student placement strategies