Improving the odds: an empirical look at the factors that influence upward transfer

Community colleges serve approximately 40 per cent of the total annual undergraduate enrollment in the United States. These open access institutions provide opportunities to students to participate in adult and continuing education programs, to earn technical and career-based certificates and associate degrees in both general education and specialized fields, and/or to prepare for transfer to four-year institutions. However, this report notes that practitioners, researchers, and policymakers have been concerned by the fact that too few students successfully navigate the complex process...  [+] Show more

Community colleges serve approximately 40 per cent of the total annual undergraduate enrollment in the United States. These open access institutions provide opportunities to students to participate in adult and continuing education programs, to earn technical and career-based certificates and associate degrees in both general education and specialized fields, and/or to prepare for transfer to four-year institutions. However, this report notes that practitioners, researchers, and policymakers have been concerned by the fact that too few students successfully navigate the complex process of transferring from a two-year to a four-year institution. In this report, the authors explore student- and institutional-level factors that influence the likelihood of upward transfer for students who enroll in community college directly after high school. Analyzing national data collected as a part of the US Department of Education's Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS), the authors discuss eight key findings drawn from their multilevel regression model and present five recommendations for high school educators, faculty and staff at colleges and universities, and policymakers to consider to increase upward transfer rates.

Some of the key findings include: (1) dual enrollment and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate (AP/IB) course-taking have a positive effect on upward transfer rates; (2) strong academic performance in high school positively impacts the likelihood of upward transfer; (3) behavioral problems in high school negatively impact the likelihood of upward transfer; (4) college aspirations and planning are associated with higher rates of upward transfer; and (5) enrollment decisions, before and soon after matriculating to a community college, greatly impact upward transfer rates. The authors recommend that schools, colleges and universities, and policymakers should work cooperatively to: ensure that all students have access to rigorous high school curricula; expand access to and strengthen college and career counseling in high school; ensure that students have access to financial aid and that existing financial aid systems better serve students; re-examine academic advising programs to ensure that they are serving the needs of community college students; and reduce barriers to transfer by developing comprehensive transfer and articulation policies.

Edited excerpts from publisher's website.