Cal State system moves one step closer to initiative boosting graduation rates

Cal State Long Beach students walk along the campus.
Credit: FERMIN LEAL/EDSOURCE

A California State University committee unanimously approved on Tuesday an ambitious plan to improve graduation rates by implementing targets that include improving counseling services, increasing summer and winter enrollment and adding course sections.

Over the next decade, the CSU’s Graduation Initiative 2025 aims to increase the systemwide four-year graduation rate for first-time freshmen from the current 19 percent to 40 percent. It also aims to improve the two-year graduation rate for transfer students from 31 percent to 57 percent.

The full CSU Board of Trustees is expected to ratify the plan Wednesday.

This initiative “will meet the future workforce needs of the state of California,” Loren Blanchard, the system’s executive vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, said after passage by CSU’s Committee on Education Policy.

“These targets will continue the CSU on a path to become the flagship public comprehensive university system in the nation in terms of completion rates and equity,” he said.

Additionally, the goals of the initiative include improving the six-year graduation rate for freshmen from 57 percent to 70 percent, and improving the four-year rate for transfer students from 73 percent to 85 percent.

Blanchard said if those goals are met, the number of students projected to graduate by 2025 would increase by 500,000.

The CSU plan includes:

  • Increasing the average number of courses students complete during the academic year by adding sections, including more online programs;
  • Increasing summer/winter course enrollment by adding high-demand courses during these intersession schedules, and improving financial aid for students taking courses during these times;
  • Expanding access to advisors to discourage students from taking courses that may not contribute to degree requirements;
  • Providing tutoring programs and more remedial preparation in math and English before a student’s freshman year to reduce the need for remediation and for repeating courses.

“I am very optimistic that this will all come together, and we will make a difference to ensure the students who attend CSU are successful, graduate on time and become productive citizens,” said Trustee Thelma Melendez de Santa Ana.

The initiative’s approval comes as part of an agreement with state lawmakers, who offered a $35 million state incentive grant payable only if the system adopts “coherent” plans by September to boost rates, with special emphasis on low-income students.

But CSU officials said the cost of new programs, resources and added staff for the 23-campus system to fully implement the initiative could reach $500 million over the next decade. That means the system would need significantly more funds from the Legislature and would likely need to increase student fees, officials said.

Trustee Steven Stepnanek warned against being overly optimistic about an initiative that relies so heavily on an increase in state funding.

“This is going to cost a lot of money . . . If we don’t get money from the state, then we need to scale this back,” he said. “I’ve had too many situations where the goal goes forward even though the funding is not there.”

CSU Chancellor Timothy White said improving graduation rates would also require community colleges and K-12 schools to work harder getting students ready for college. He also called on students and their families to accept greater responsibility for improving chances for success.

“In their reality, students have to focus on being prepared when they get here, and to work hard on the courses they’re able to take when they’re with us,” he said.

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