Using a statewide database of student records, the grades of students enrolled in organic chemistry and biochemistry at a large state university were analyzed to determine if there was a difference in performance between community college transfers and ‘‘native’’ students. Although only small differences were found for the organic chemistry sequence, much larger differences were found in biochemistry. Given the importance of grades in these classes for admission to competitive professional schools, these results suggest that transfer students, often disproportionately minority and economically disadvantaged, may face greater hurdles in the admissions process. The results further highlight the importance of establishing meaningful articulation agreements between 2-year and 4-year schools.

The strategic partnership between AcademyOne and Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Career and Technical Education (BCTE) began in 2008. In accordance with Pennsylvania’s Perkins Five Year State Plan, as mandated by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV), Career and Technical Programs of Study (POS) aligning with statewide articulation agreements were being developed. Agreements were designed to ensure a non-duplicative, seamless transition for students from secondary level to postsecondary level based on achievement of competencies. This effort in Pennsylvania became known as Students Occupationally and Academically Ready (SOAR).

Starting in the Fall of 2008, students have been able to use the Pennsylvania College Credit Transfer System to make the transfer of college credits easier. And since then, Pennsylvania has seen a 13% increase in the number of students transferring from Pennsylvania community colleges to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities and a 9% increase in the total number of credits transferred. With an average cost of $231 per credit hour, the credits transferred in 2009 alone have saved students nearly $34.5 million in "credit transfer taxes," i.e. the cost of having to repeat a course not accepted for transfer by the student's new college.

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The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education has awarded a multi-year contract to AcademyOne, Inc. to improve college transfer and articulation in South Carolina. AcademyOne will develop a South Carolina electronic web portal to assist students and support college and university staff with tools that make it easier to transfer credit and evaluate how prior coursework will transfer among public South Carolina colleges and universities.

Issues Addressed in the American Enterprise Institute’s May 2010 Education Outlook include:

• It is the norm for college graduates to transfer schools at least once during their academic careers, but many colleges do not give full credit for courses completed at other institutions.

• Rather than forcing transfer students to retake classes they have passed elsewhere, colleges should grant transfer credits based on students’ performance in subsequent courses.

• A web-based academic portability system, like a highway EZ Pass, would enable students to navigate their academic journeys without losing time and money.