MPR Associates published the research brief, "California Community College (CCC) Transfer Rates: Who is Counted Makes a Difference," for the Hewlett Foundation in May 2007. The research brief provides new insights into student transfer rates to four-year colleges by examining student course-taking patterns rather than using potentially incomplete or inaccurate data based on students’ stated intention to transfer.

This study defines a transfer student in six different ways and finds that

• Transfer rates have increased over time for all six defined populations examined.
• Completion of a college-level mathematics course is strongly predictive of transfer.
• About one-third of students who qualify to transfer do not transfer within six years.

The brief also raises important research questions that still need to be addressed. You can access it at http://www.mprinc.com/products_and_publications/recent_publications.aspx?pubID=415.