Correa Supports Senate Passage of Student Transfer Achievement Reform (STAR) Act

PHOTO FROM ARCHIVE: California State Senator Lou Correa addressing Santa Ana College students during the “2009 California Distinguished School” event in Orange County

Senator Lou Correa,­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ ­ 34th Senate District

For Immediate Release: June 3, 2010
Contact: Lina Hamilton, (916) 651-4034

Correa Supports Senate Passage of Student Transfer Achievement Reform (STAR) Act

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Lou Correa (Orange County), supported Senate Floor passage of Senate Bill 1440 (SB 1440), introduced by Senator Alex Padilla (Pacoima). This bill will simplify the transfer process and allow California community colleges and the California State University (CSU) system to serve more students.

“By giving additional students access to higher education we are assisting them in obtaining future employment and are taking steps towards closing our state’s projected workforce shortage,” said Senator Correa.

SB 1440 establishes the Student Transfer Achievement Reform (STAR) Act. SB 1440 requires a community college to grant an associate degree that deems the student eligible for transfer into CSU, and requires CSU to guarantee admission with junior status to California Community College students. SB 1440 also imposes specified restrictions on CSU course requirements for transfer students.

Currently, transfer agreements are from college to college, rather than system-wide. Many students have difficulty navigating this transfer process. These difficulties can result in students taking excess courses, taking longer to earn their degree, paying higher tuition costs, and dropping out due to frustration. SB 1440 streamlines the transfer process and guarantees that a community college student who completes the required units will receive an associate degree and automatic acceptance to a CSU campus at junior standing.

SB 1440 will be considered by the Assembly in the next few weeks.

Senator Lou Correa represents the 34th District which includes the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Stanton and Westminster.

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Lina Hamilton
Legislative Aide
Office of Senator Lou Correa, 34th District
(916) 651-4034
lina.hamilton@sen.ca.gov

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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