The language of the recommendations was modified in light of this concern.
Whereas, The recommendations (as of September 30, 2011) of the California Community College Task Force on Student Success (established in response to Senate Bill 1143, Liu, 2010) do not apply specifically to enabling the success of English as a Second Language (ESL) students, with ESL only tangentially mentioned in the context of basic skills;
Whereas, Conflating ESL with basic skills ignores the fundamental differences between basic skills and ESL and creates the erroneous notion that students taking basic skills courses and those taking ESL courses have the same goals and needs; and
Whereas, Implementation of these recommendations would result in the systematic marginalization of ESL students;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges recommend that the California Community College Student Success Task Force seek substantive input from ESL faculty in shaping recommendations regarding ESL students and instruction; and
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges work to inform the members of the California Community College Student Success Task Force on the numerous distinctions between ESL student populations and those of other basic skills cohorts.
MSC
Appendix A: California Community Colleges Task Force on Student Success