Here is an article from Inside higher ed. The article reports on a research conducted by Community College Research Center of Teachers College, Columbia University.
"The study examines the validity of the “Student Right to Know” graduation rates, which all colleges must report under federal law. These rates measure graduation within 150 percent of the standard time for a degree — six years for a four-year institution and three years for a community college offering associate degrees. The study focused on Florida’s 28 community colleges"
The interesting part of this study is that these numbers ignore the transfer mission of community colleges. I remember transferring out of community college to the U.C. system without receiving my Associate Science degree. This was back in the 1980s but if I remember correctly I did not pursue the Associate degree because it meant another semester at community college.
Could we make our transfer rates match our associate degree? This could be done by setting our degree requirement equal to a full 60 units transferable General Education courses. We could call it General Education Associate of Arts or Science! If such an idea is forwarded, which programs would lose out?
Hey Mike,
ReplyDeleteI transferred from a community college not too long ago (1998) and didn't get my AA because it required a Physical Education requirement that I didn't have time or interest in. I transferred to UCLA due to my time at the community college, but I don't think the school received credit for that. Few people who do transfer probably go to the effort of getting an AA.
We can increase our transfer rate by eliminating extraneous requirements. For example, to transfer from Rio Hondo to a UC you need to meet IGETC requirements. We should set up our requirements to fit the UC and Cal State transfer requirements. Then we would have tangible data to show where our students are going and how quickly they transferred. Under such a plan, I think Physical Education would be the only field to lose out. Our current system doesn't work because few of our best students (those who transfer to 4 year schools) are counted.
But what would happen to P.E.?
ReplyDelete