Page Comparison

Problem Statement or Business Need

A number of CCC colleges and other stakeholders believe that the current layout of the AB620 questions and data fields should be changed to better represent the LGBT student population, and encourage students to self-identify so that colleges and the CCCCO can better provide support and services to the targeted population.

For example, in the current layout, the Transgender and Sexual Orientation fields (AB620) appear below the Gender field on the page, which may be perceived by the user as inferior to the mainstream understanding of gender, gender identity, and gender preference.  A re-positioning of the transgender question and data field on the page will minimize what could be perceived as a divide and indicate that all gender types are considered equal and not separate on the application to the California Community Colleges. This change alone may help students feel more comfortable and accepted, and therefore more willing to self-identify.

NOTE: In CCCApply, the AB620 data fields and additional text only appears to applicants who are 18 years old or older (non-minors). This is determined by the applicant's date of birth and the current date.  This layout change only pertains to the version for non-minors.  

Proposed Solution

A number of CCC colleges and other stakeholders have requested that the layout of the Gender / AB620 section in the CCCApply standard application be revised to move the Transgender data field menu up on the page adjacent to the Gender data field menu (on the same line).  The purpose of this change is to ensure that all students, regardless of their gender, feel equally represented and do not feel marginalized by the positioning the traditional gender types (male and female) "above" the transgender students. This change pertains to the Gender and Transgender fields only. There is no change requested to the position of the Sexual Orientation data field menu and no changes proposed to the data field specifications themselves.  

NOTE: The AB620 fields do not display to minors and therefor, 

For example, in the current layout, the Transgender and Sexual Orientation fields (AB620) are displayed below the Gender field, which may be perceived by the user as inferior to the mainstream understanding of gender, gender identity, and gender preference.  A re-positioning of the transgender question and data field on the page will minimize what could be perceived as a divide and indicate that all gender types are considered equal and not separate on the application to the California Community Colleges. This change alone may help students feel more comfortable and accepted, and therefore more willing to self-identify.

Proposed Solution

Requirements Summary

Change Specifications

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Requirements Summary

Change Specifications

Revise the existing layout of the Gender / AB620 data fields and additional text in the Personal Information section of the standard application for non-minors only. If the student is a minor (if birthdate is 18 years old or younger) keep/display the current layout without any changes.

1)      Move the "Transgender" <transgender> prompt text, label, and data field menu to a new position adjacent to the Gender question and data field <gender> (see screenshot titled "Screenshot Showing New Layout & Text Changes). Keep pop-up functionality for transgender as it is today.

2)      Revise the Sexual Orientation/Transgender label by:

A) removing "/Transgender" from the "Sexual Orientation/Transgender" label, and

B) add it to the Gender label at the top of the section so it reads "Gender/Transgender" (see screenshot titled "Screenshot Showing New Layout & Text Changes), and 

C) code the "/Transgender" part of the section label to be conditional to only appear if the student is not a minor. If the student is 19 years old or older, the "/Transgender" part of the section label should appear.

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Current Coding Logic for Minor vs. Non-Minor

We take the DOB, add 19 years to it, and see if that is after the RDD. As far as the code is concerned, we are looking to see if they are 19 or older to show them the AB620 fields. If they are under 19 (e.g. 18 + 365 days or less) then we consider them a minor and don't show the questions.

We are keeping the current logic and not making any changes.

Changes to Data Download File

Changes to Logic

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Supporting Documentation 

Below is additional documentation (i.e., CCCCO legal opinions, residency and/or education code citations, legislation citations, supplemental information, etc.) to be referenced in support of this change request.