Assembly Bill 1729 (AB 1729), authored by Assemblywoman Christy Smith, was signed into law Monday by Governor Gavin Newsom and both extends and expands current opportunities for high school students to enroll in summer community college courses, officials said.

“I am so proud to see this legislation become California law,” said Smith. “Dual enrollment programs have been shown to improve college readiness, reduce the time and debt involved in attaining a degree and close the achievement gap for underrepresented students.”

Currently, high school principals are permitted to recommend up to 5 percent of the total number of students at each grade level; however, there are also exceptions which exempts pupils from the 5 percent limit if they meet certain requirements, according to Smith’s office.

One of the primary requirements is that the course is part of a College and Career Access Pathways program, which are geared towards preparing students for a technical education pathway or general education pathway.

These exemptions were set to expire Jan. 1, 2020; however, this bill extends them through Jan. 2027.

Additionally, AB 1729 expands the exemptions to other certain community college courses but also explicitly enforces the 5 percent limitation for students enrolled in physical education courses at the community college.

See Related: Assemblywoman Christy Smith Education Bills Clear Senate

“We appreciate Assemblywoman Smith initiating AB 1729 in order to remove the arbitrary barrier of limiting the number of high school students who can get a jumpstart on college in the summer months,” said College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook.

Smith partnered with College of the Canyons in advocating for the signing and passage of the bill.

“AB 1729 will help more students succeed in college. By taking college classes, high school students not only gain valuable career skills and earn general education units that transfer to a four-year university, but they also have a chance to experience firsthand that they can be successful in college,” Van Hook said. “This gives them the confidence to continue with college after high school, and puts them on a path toward achieving their academic goals.”

AB 1729 is scheduled to officially take effect Jan. 1, 2020.

“A lifelong education advocate, I’m pleased Governor Newsom signed AB 1729 to expand pathways to college and create brighter futures and avenues of success for our students,” Smith said.

The bill is available in its entirety, here.

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