State Priority: Learner Transition

In Fall 2020, Jennie Mollica and Peter Simon of High Road Alliance were commissioned to conduct a research study to gain a better understanding of CAEP best practices and identify regional peer experts in the area of Transition. With the increased emphasis on learner transition to postsecondary and employment, the CAEP Office is increasingly interested in highlighting innovative practices across the state and creating opportunities for CAEP practitioners to share their creative solutions in these two areas. The purpose of this brief was to identify a range of ways that CAEP adult education consortia and their partners are supporting student transition. The brief is intended to inform CAEP practitioners about creative solutions developed by their peers and inspire further innovation and collaboration to better serve students transitioning to postsecondary education and employment.

Webinar

This brief provides an in-depth overview of the AB 2098 Immigrant Integration Framework (IIF) developed by the CAEP AB 2098 workgroup in 2019. Addressing individual and community goals across the ten elements of the IIF is nothing new to adult education. Adult education practitioners say it’s what we have always done. As a result, this brief highlights the important work already underway to serve immigrants through CAEP programming and the effective practices that can be shared and scaled to benefit greater numbers of Californians.

Webinar

SB 68 expands AB 540 to enable students to count years spent at a California Community College and Adult School towards AB 540 eligibility. Additionally, the bill will allow the completion of an Associate’s Degree or satisfaction of the minimum requirements to transfer to the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) to meet the degree or unit requirements. These new eligibility criteria expand possibilities for students educated in CA to qualify for in-state tuition and state-based financial aid at CCCs, CSUs, and UCs.

Hanover presents the results of a literature review around best practices in guided pathways and a benchmarking analysis of related practices among community colleges. Key findings include: (1) Over the past decade, guided pathways have become increasingly popular at community colleges nationwide. (2) Researchers and early adopters emphasize that implementing guided pathways is beneficial despite a lengthy implementation process. (3) Meta-majors, program and transfer maps, pathway entries, and strong student support services are vital components of guided pathways.

In late 2021, CAEP TAP contracted with High Road Alliance (HRA) to gather input from the field about the status of ADE today. This research brief captures lessons learned from adult education providers and community colleges who have promoted dual enrollment in adult education and credit-bearing college courses, to inform expanded use of the approach statewide. Drawing upon ten interviews, one peer learning circle attended by twenty-seven individuals, and engagement of an advisory group of experienced practitioners the brief also identifies challenges to implementing the promising strategy and recommendations to state policymakers and leaders to support its scaling to benefit greater numbers of California’s adult students.

High Road Alliance