California bill sent to governor to simplify community college to UC transfer process.
A California Bill to Streamline Community College Transfers to UC Campuses
A California bill that aims to simplify the transfer process for community college students to University of California (UC) campuses is on the verge of becoming law.
Assembly Bill 1291, introduced by Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) in February, proposes a pilot program that prioritizes community college students who complete associate degrees in specific majors for admission to UC campuses.
The bill has received unanimous approval from both the Assembly in May and the Senate in September. It is now awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature before it can become law.
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The pilot program will initially be implemented at the University of California–Los Angeles, with eight majors eligible for the program by the 2026–27 school year.
By 2028–29, the program will expand to other UC campuses, with 12 majors eligible, including four in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
Assemblyman McCarty argues that the bill will streamline the transfer system from community colleges to UC schools, similar to the existing agreement with the California State University system.
“[The bill] delivers on a long-standing goal in California: to simplify and streamline transfer paths for hardworking, qualified community college students wishing to attend a UC or a CSU,” he stated in a Senate Education analysis. “Creating a universal transfer path will increase economic opportunity and prosperity for all Californians and help our state economy thrive.”
However, the UC students’ association and the California community colleges’ student group oppose the bill.
In a joint letter to Governor Newsom, the groups expressed concerns that the bill was drafted without input from education experts, college practitioners, and students.
Instead, the groups advocate for a transfer program that streamlines the process for all majors, rather than a select few as proposed in the bill.
The groups supported the original version of Assembly Bill 1749, which would have required the UC system to automatically admit all students who complete an “associate degree for transfer,” similar to the CSU system.
The student associations’ letter urges Governor Newsom to veto the bill and allow for a comprehensive discussion this fall between legislators, state officials, UC officials, and student associations to propose new transfer legislation in 2024.
“This legislation makes compromises no student would have made,” the associations stated in a joint statement. “We deserve a systemwide guarantee. Transfer reform must be created with the guidance of subject matter experts, practitioners, and students.”
How will the pilot program at UCLA expand to include more majors and campuses in the future
State University (CSU) system, known as the Associate Degree for Transfer program.
Under the proposed program, community college students who complete associate degrees in specific majors will have guaranteed admission to UC campuses. This will provide a clear pathway for students to transfer from community colleges to UC schools without having to worry about competing for limited spaces or facing additional requirements.
In addition to streamlining the transfer process, the bill also aims to address equity concerns. It includes provisions that prioritize students from historically marginalized communities, low-income backgrounds, and first-generation college students. By providing these students with a clear pathway to UC campuses, the bill aims to increase access and opportunity for underrepresented groups.
The pilot program at UCLA is set to begin in the 2022–23 school year. It will include majors such as sociology, economics, political science, and psychology. By the 2026–27 school year, a total of eight majors will be eligible for the program at UCLA. This will allow community college students in these majors to have a clear and streamlined path to transfer to UC campuses.
By the 2028–29 school year, the program will expand to other UC campuses, with a total of 12 majors eligible, including four in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). This expansion will provide more opportunities for community college students in these high-demand fields to transfer to UC schools and pursue their desired careers.
The bill has received support from various stakeholders, including community college leaders, UC officials, and student advocacy groups. They believe that the proposed program will create a more equitable and accessible transfer system, benefiting thousands of community college students across the state.
However, there are critics of the bill who argue that it could potentially limit opportunities for students in other majors or discourage students from exploring different career paths. They also raise concerns about the potential strain on resources and infrastructure at UC campuses if a large number of community college students transfer under the program.
Despite these concerns, the overwhelming approval of the bill by both the Assembly and the Senate indicates strong support for the proposed program. If signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, California will take a significant step towards simplifying the transfer process for community college students and promoting equity in higher education.
The bill’s passage would align California with other states that have implemented similar transfer programs, such as Florida’s Statewide Articulation Agreement and Texas’ Transfer 2 Success initiative. These programs have been successful in increasing community college transfer rates and improving access to four-year institutions.
Overall, Assembly Bill 1291 presents a promising opportunity to streamline the transfer process for community college students to UC campuses. It aims to create a more equitable and accessible pathway to higher education while addressing workforce needs in high-demand fields. As the bill awaits the Governor’s signature, its potential impact on California’s education system and the lives of community college students across the state is eagerly anticipated.
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