The Campaign for College Opportunity announced 20 California Community Colleges as honorees of the 2024 Excellence in Placement Award and San Diego Miramar is one of the 20.
The Campaign for College Opportunity is a California non-profit bipartisan policy and research organization focused on a single mission: to ensure all Californians have an equal opportunity to attend and succeed in college in order to build a vibrant workforce, economy and democracy.
Miramar College received its Excellence in Placement honor for Campuswide Transfer-Level English Success. Miramar College was one of the state's top 3 community colleges in supporting the highest percent of students completing transfer-level English within one year of their initial enrollment in an English course (academic year 2022-23).
Community college campuses were honored for implementing landmark equitable placement policy AB 705, championed by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and signed into law in 2017. Many colleges are also being recognized with equity designations for supporting Black and Latinx students to succeed in transfer-level math and English. Students have historically faced significant obstacles in the transfer process between community colleges and four-year universities, including a lack of accessibility to transfer-level English and math classes required for transfer and confusing mazes of requirements to access the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU). Research has shown that only 19% of transfer-intending community college students do so within four years of enrollment—with significant underrepresentation of transfer-intending Latinx and Black students.
For 5 years since going into effect, AB 705 has accelerated student success by ending antiquated remedial course placement practices that decrease students’ likelihood of earning a degree and prevent them from reaching their college dreams. AB 705’s equitable placement practices have been game-changers for students by increasing access to the vital courses that ensure their progress on the path to transfer and closing racial/ethnic equity gaps in completion rates. After gaining access to transfer-level English and math, the percentage of students successfully completing transfer-level coursework within a year of their initial course enrollment has increased dramatically for those of all racial/ethnic backgrounds, including for Black and Latinx students who were disproportionately impacted by remedial placement. Taking transfer-level courses from the start ensures students don’t fall behind and allows them to explore electives, helping them decide on a major before transferring. Transfer-level classes are crucial for timely graduation and success.
Excellence in Placement Honorees
Campuswide Transfer-Level English Success – Top three California Community Colleges in supporting the highest percent of students completing transfer-level English within one year of their initial enrollment in an English course (academic year 2022-23).
Skyline College, De Anza College, and San Diego Miramar College.
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