Whereas, AB 607 (Kalra, 2023) [1] modifies California Education Code §66406.9 [2] to expand the cost information required in course schedules, requiring that colleges
Prominently display, by means that may include a link to a separate internet web page, the estimated costs for each course of all required course materials and fees directly related to those materials, for no less than 40 percent by January 1, 2025, 55 percent by January 1, 2026, 65 percent by January 1, 2027, and 75 percent by January 1, 2028, of the total number of courses on the online campus course schedule for which a faculty member or course instructor has been assigned. “Course materials” as used in this paragraph includes digital or physical textbooks, devices such as calculators and remote attendance platforms, and software subscriptions;
Whereas, Restricting “course materials” to “digital or physical textbooks, devices such as calculators and remote attendance platforms, and software subscriptions” places inappropriate limits on the estimated costs to be included in course schedules by excluding homework systems, art supplies, uniforms, safety equipment, and other expenses that students should be informed of when registering for classes; and
Whereas, California Code of Regulations Title 5, §59402 [3] states that required instructional materials “means any materials which a student must procure or possess as a condition of registration, enrollment or entry into a class; or any such material which is necessary to achieve the required objectives of a course,” establishing the definition of “instructional materials” to include textbooks, supplemental materials, and any other course supplies that are required to achieve course objectives;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges recommend that the cost-transparency requirements in California Education Code §66406.9 as modified by AB 607 (Kalra, 2023) be interpreted to include all instructional materials as defined in California Code of Regulations, Title 5, §59402.
MSC
1. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB607
2. California Education Code §66406.9: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=66406.9.&lawCode=EDC
3. Title 5, §59402: https://govt.westlaw.com/calregs/Document/I6E1B90644C6911EC93A8000D3A7C4BC3?viewType=FullText&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=CategoryPageItem&contextData=(sc.Default)