A Qualitative Study of Two-To-Four-Year Transfer Practices in California Community Colleges: An Analysis of Seven Case Studies Featuring Colleges with Consistently Higher-than-Expected Transfer Rates, Fall 2008
Author: Mery, Pamela
Date: 2008-00-00
Type: Reports - Research
Subjects: Community Colleges,Transfer Rates (College),College Transfer Students,Transfer Policy,Outcomes of Education,School Effectiveness,Educational Practices,Case Studies,Cohort Analysis,Interviews,Focus Groups,Longitudinal Studies,Academic Support Services,Intercollegiate Cooperation,College School Cooperation,College Environment,School Culture,Transitional Programs

Which factors promote transfer from community colleges to four-year colleges and universities? What can individuals learn about transfer from tracking cohorts of students? What can they learn from studying colleges that have a strong track record of transferring students? These questions are at the center of a study funded in 2007 by the California Community College State Chancellor's Office, based on a competitive grant competition and grant written by Dr. Andreea Serban, Superintendent/President, Santa Barbara City College. The study has been implemented by the System Office of the California Community Colleges (CCC), the Center for Student Success (CSS) of the Research and Planning Group of the CCC, and California Partnership for Achieving Student Success (Cal-PASS). The study--called the Transfer Leadership Center (TLC)--is directed by Dr. Andreea Serban and administered by the Santa Barbara City College. The study is guided by an Advisory Committee whose members include leading experts on transfer. This report summarizes and considers findings generated by the first phase of the TLC's qualitative study component--case studies of seven community colleges with consistently high transfer rates. This report introduces charts that identify actions and activities that the seven colleges are implementing to promote each transfer factor. These actions and activities--which explain what the colleges are doing--are then associated with specific practices that illustrate how the colleges are doing it. The report includes a section with suggestions for how colleges can use this report. Appended are: (1) Methodology; (2) Interview Protocol Template; (3) Documentation Template; (4) Transfer Rates for Selected Colleges; and (5) Sample Support Programs from Skyline College. (Contains 5 footnotes.) [For related reports, see the following: (1) &quot;Transfer Issues and Effective Practices: A Review of the Literature&quot; (ED521887); (2) &quot;Transfer Velocity Project: Key Findings on Student Transfer in California Community Colleges&quot; (ED521885); (3) &quot;Transfer Practices at De Anza College: Case Study #1 of 7 Featuring Colleges with Consistently Higher than Expected Transfer Rates, Fall 2008&quot; (ED521886); (4) &quot;Transfer Practices at Irvine Valley College: Case Study #2 of 7 Featuring Colleges with Consistently Higher than Expected Transfer Rates, Fall 2008&quot; (ED521884); (5) &quot;Transfer Practices at Los Angeles Southwest College: Case Study #3 of 7 Featuring Colleges with Consistently Higher than Expected Transfer Rates, Fall 2008&quot; (ED521889); (6) &quot;Transfer Practices at Porterville College: Case Study #4 of 7 Featuring Colleges with Consistently Higher than Expected Transfer Rates, Fall 2008&quot; (ED521880); (7) &quot;Transfer Practices at Reedley College: Case Study #5 of 7 Featuring Colleges with Consistently Higher than Expected Transfer Rates, Fall 2008&quot; (ED521878); (8) &quot;Transfer Practices at San Diego City College: Case Study #6 of 7 Featuring Colleges with Consistently Higher than Expected Transfer Rates, Fall 2008&quot; (ED521876); and (9) &quot;Transfer Practices at Skyline College: Case Study #7 of 7 Featuring Colleges with Consistently Higher than Expected Transfer Rates, Fall 2008&quot; (ED521879).] [Contributors to this report were Denice Inciong, Rob Johnstone, Carol Kozeracki, Lucinda Over, Craig Hayward, and Andreea Serban.]