California’s system for transferring community college students to four-year universities has faced challenges in meeting student needs. While many community college students plan to transfer, only a small percentage reach a California State University (CSU) campus within four years. Despite statewide efforts to create clear pathways to CSU and the University of California, progress often depends on local collaboration between colleges.
In Los Angeles, which serves about 25% of the state’s community college students, educators and partners have spent nearly ten years supporting student-centered transfer reforms. Their focus has been on implementing the associate degree for transfer (A.D.T.), which is designed as a 2+2 pathway that guarantees admission to CSU and aims to streamline graduation.
Collaborative efforts between education and workforce organizations have played an important role in these initiatives. Groups convened by nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing equitable education and career opportunities have guided this work.
