In 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 789 (Berman) into law, requiring California’s colleges and universities to align their Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policies with minimum federal standards. Institutions were expected to implement these changes by the start of the 2024–2025 academic year. This shift carries important implications for equity, policy, and practice across the state.

To explore these impacts, John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) will host a webinar on Wednesday, August 20th focused on the equity implications of AB 789 and SAP reform. This session will highlight findings from JBAY’s multiyear SAP policy analysis, student-level data from the California Community Colleges, and insights from leading financial aid practitioners in California. The webinar will coincide with the release of JBAY’s SAP Practitioner Brief, offering strategic guidance for institutional implementation.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how institutions are implementing AB 789, what the data reveals about student outcomes, and how policy and practice can better support foster youth and other vulnerable student populations.