Report 2008023December 2007

Community College to University Transition by Gender and Ethnicity

DRAFT

Brian Stern M.S.W., Research Analyst

, 619-495-8608

Question:

What are the transition rates from a Community College to the nearest California State University (CSU)and subsequent performance by gender and ethnicity?

The nearest CSU to the community college analyzed in this report is the historic destination of about three-quarters of the community college’s transfer students. Tables 1 and 2 show the number of students who completed transfer level math at a community college and those students who transferred to the nearest CSU between the 2003 academic year and the 2005 academic year. Female students are more likely to transfer to the nearest CSU than males. Hispanics have the highest rate of transition to the nearest CSU followed by Other/Unknown students.

Table 1. Gavilan transition rates to SJSU by gender

Completed Transferable Math at Gavilan / Transitioned to SJSU
Count / Count / Percent
Female / 2273 / 235 / 10.3%
Male / 1726 / 162 / 9.4%
Total / 3999 / 397 / 9.9%

Table 2. Gavilan transition rates to SJSU by ethnicity

Completed Transferable Mathat Gavilan / Transitioned to SJSU
Asian / 274 / 23 / 8.4%
Black / 64 / * / *
Hispanic / 1436 / 163 / 11.4%
Native / 29 / * / *
Other/Unknown / 283 / 30 / 10.6%
White / 1918 / 176 / 9.2%
Total / 4004 / 397 / 9.9%

Tables 3 and 4 show first semester GPA at the nearest CSU after transitioning from the community college by gender and ethnicity. Female transfer students have a higher GPA in their first year than males while males attempt more units.White students have the highest GPA after one year of enrollment.

Table 3. Mean 1st year GPA and units attempted by gender

Gender / GPA / Units / N
Female / 2.95 / 17.3 / 195
Male / 2.60 / 18.9 / 136
Total / 2.81 / 17.9 / 331

Table 4. Mean 1st year GPA and units attempted by ethnicity

Ethnicity / gpa / Units / N
Asian / 2.69 / 17.20 / 20
Black / 2.96 / 27.00 / *
Hispanic / 2.63 / 16.93 / 138
Native / 2.01 / 23.33 / *
Other/Unknown / 2.86 / 20.17 / 24
White / 3.01 / 18.42 / 145
Total / 2.81 / 17.92 / 331

These differences between demographic groups could be explained by a number of factors. For example, it may be that students have a differential preference for attending the nearest CSU by demographic group or that certain groups are less likely to transition despite showing transfer intent. Further, there may be differences in the types of courses taken by different demographic groups that explain these GPA differences or there may be differential performance by demographic group. Further exploration of these transition patterns would be required to determine the influence of these and other factors to help guide appropriate interventions.