Posts published on November 11, 2009

College Success: The Most Disheartening Story Of The Month

 I have read many October stories on the problems of college success, but nothing exceeded the story in the October 9 Chronicle of Higher Education “At Transfer TimeThousands Of Students Hit A Dead End”. These are sad stories of California community college students who have all the credits to transfer to a four year state university, but there is no place for them.  California State U is taking few or no transfers in spring 2010. So these students stay in community college taking redundant courese or stop out. Many will give up, and feel betrayed by the promises that they could transfer if they did the right things.

Today Cal State announced cutting 40,000 incoming first year students who have met their admission requirements. How can we increase college completion with policies like this that are forced by state budget cuts? Are there alternatives to Cal State policies in tough economic times?