Overview
The Transfer Velocity Project (TVP) conducted the most comprehensive study of community college to four-year transfer in California of its time. The study investigated and increased our understanding of the full spectrum of factors, interventions, strategies, and practices that have a positive impact on transfer.
TVP completed three components: a literature review, quantitative analysis, and qualitative research. The literature review included more than 100 references on transfer issues and practices. The research and analysis components began by identifying colleges with consistently higher than expected transfer rates, based on a cohort study conducted by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.
The study followed three cohorts through 2005-2006, the last of which began their community college enrollment in 2000-01. TVP then selected the top seven-rated transfer colleges, which encompassed diverse settings and enrollment profiles, for site visits. Finally, TVP developed case studies and a cross-case analysis to document effective transfer practices.
Outcomes
TVP identified factors that appear to support or facilitate student transfer — both institutional-level approaches and specific student behaviors and characteristics.
- Institution-level factors: TVP found that transfer rates were higher at colleges where institution‐wide efforts were designed to support all students in pursuing transfer goals. Six institutional factors supportive of transfer, discovered through site visits included: (1) robust transfer culture, (2) student‐focused environment, (3) intense commitment to the institution, (4) strategic high school partnerships, (5) strong four‐year relationships, and (6) effective use of support services.
- Student-level factors: This research also found several student-level factors that, in combination with one another, were associated with higher odds of successful transfer for California community college students. These behaviors included: (1) commitment to a goal of transfer, (2) start in college‐level math and English, (3) immediately enrollment in math and English, (4) focus on academics with a minimal number of withdrawals, (5) attainment of associate‘s degree within first three to six years of enrollment.
RP Group Lead
Eva Schiorring (Qualitative Lead), Craig Hayward, PhD (Quantitative Lead)
RP Group Project Team Members
Debbie Boroch, Denice Inciong, Rob Johnstone, Kelley Karandjeff, EdM, Carol Kozeracki, Irene Malmgren, Pam Mery, Lucinda Over, Andreea Serban, Bruce Smith
Funders
California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office
Partners
California Partnership for Achieving Student Success (Cal-Pass), South Orange Community College District, Santa Barbara City College
Reports and Briefs
Transfer Velocity Project: Key Findings on Student Transfer in California Community Colleges
Research brief highlighting key findings on institutional factors, and student behaviors and characteristics that facilitate transfer and strategies and approaches for improving this transition for California Community College students.
Transfer Issues and Effective Practices and Effective Practices: A Review of the Literature
Literature review on transfer issues and practices spanning over 100 references.
A Qualitative Study of Two- to Four-Year Transfer Practices in California Community Colleges: An Analysis of Seven Case Studies Featuring Colleges with Consistently Higher than Expected Transfer Rates
A cross-case overview analysis of seven case studies of colleges with higher-than-expected transfer rates including six transfer-promoting factors found at all of the colleges.
Transfer Practices at DeAnza College
Detailed case study of transfer practices at DeAnza College, an institution with higher-than-expected transfer rates identified through the Transfer Velocity Project.
Transfer Practices at Irvine Valley College
Detailed case study of transfer practices at Irvine Valley College, an institution with higher-than-expected transfer rates identified through the Transfer Velocity Project.
Transfer Practices at Los Angeles Southwest College
Detailed case study of transfer practices at Los Angeles Southwest College, an institution with higher-than-expected transfer rates identified through the Transfer Velocity Project.
Transfer Practices at Porterville College
Detailed case study of transfer practices at Porterville College, an institution with higher-than-expected transfer rates identified through the Transfer Velocity Project.
Transfer Practices at Reedley College
Detailed case study of transfer practices at Reedley College, an institution with higher-than-expected transfer rates identified through the Transfer Velocity Project.
Transfer Practices at San Diego City College
Detailed case study of transfer practices at San Diego City College, an institution with higher-than-expected transfer rates identified through the Transfer Velocity Project.
Transfer Practices at Skyline College
Detailed case study of transfer practices at Skyline College, an institution with higher-than-expected transfer rates identified through the Transfer Velocity Project.
Guides and Tools
Transfer Velocity Calculator
Online tool to analyze transfer trends based on variables including college, year, ethnicity, gender, and age.
Presentations and Webinars
Transfer Velocity Study: An Investigation of Factors, Interventions, Strategies, and Practices that Have a Positive Impact on Transfer (Strengthening Student Success Conference, October 2009)
Articles
“It Takes an Integrated, College-Wide Effort” and Other Lessons from Seven High Transfer Colleges"
Journal of Applied Research in the Community College article introducing the Transfer Velocity Project and reviewing six transfer-promoting factors in place at seven colleges with consistently high transfer rates identified through this research.
The Transfer Velocity Project: A Comprehensive Look at the Transfer Function
Journal of Applied Research in the Community College article identifying transfer-facilitating characteristics, the strengths and weaknesses of the current research, suggestions for future research, and practical approaches to facilitating transfer.
News and Events
This project is complete. Visit "Related Projects" below to learn about our other initiatives in this project's area(s) of impact.