There are many factors that students consider before choosing a college or university. Community colleges and two-year schools offer benefits such as proximity to home or less time between starting school and getting a degree. The U.S. Department of Education noted while tracking a selection of first-time community college students in 2003, that only 15.3 percent of students who planned to transfer to a four-year school actually did so. That is where Senate Bill 455 will make an impact. A common problem in higher education is transferring credits between colleges.
I have been working with Complete College America, a national organization dedicated to increasing the number of people with career certificates or college degrees. Their slogan is “Time is the enemy.” We must work to get students to complete their certificate or degree programs in the least amount of time while keeping students’ debt to a minimum. I joined this organization in the company of the president of the University of Central Missouri Dr. Chuck Ambrose, the commissioner of Higher Education David R Russell, and Rep. Mike Thomson, R-Maryville.
Many times, courses at a community college are not accepted at a four-year school. It is easy for students to get frustrated and they never transfer. Senate Bill 455 would establish a library of 25 core classes, including general education requirements such as math, science, and English, that would transfer betweens schools, so this problem would be resolved for many required courses. Streamlining the transfer process and creating this collection of courses would encourage students who want to take their education to the next level.
Another provision of SB 455 would enact a statewide reverse transfer policy. This means that a student transferring from a community college or a two-year school to a four-year school would be able to earn an associate degree under the original school’s requirements. In today’s economy, it is important that students get a quality education in the quickest, most economical way possible. By utilizing this reverse transfer, these students would still be eligible to receive an associate degree once requirements were met, keeping them from simply dropping out and not completing a degree program.
Senate Bill 455 received first round approval in Senate this week and needs a final vote before it is sent to the House for their consideration. If you would like to view this bill, or any legislation I am sponsoring this session, please visit www.senate.mo.gov/pearce, under the “Legislation” tab, click on “Sponsored Bills.”
As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.
Senator David Pearce serves Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon counties in the 31st State Senatorial District.
