How did Washington create a clear organizational structure that assigns responsibility for each aspect of transfer policy to the group that is best suited to manage it (Kisker, Wagoner, and Cohen, 2011)? In this chapter, the authors will introduce the agencies, organizations, and entities that have played a key role in gathering information,…

A survey revealed best practices of state higher education agencies in the organization and use of transfer student information systems. The best practices fall within the areas of: purpose of the information system, its structure, assessing the educational progress of students, interactivity of the information system, and linking information with…

Presents the definition of transfer proposed by the Center for the Study of Community Colleges. Reviews research utilizing this definition to establish transfer rates from two- to four-year colleges. Underscores the value of a consistent definition of transfer, urging community colleges to collect and report their own transfer data. (DMM)

Discusses the availability of college transfer data now that the National Student Clearinghouse's (NSC) Enrollment Search service has been inaugurated. Illustrates the use of this data resource through a longitudinal cohort outcomes analysis conducted at Prince George's Community College, Maryland. (Contains 12 references.) (AUTH/NB)

Suggests steps in planning and managing student tracking systems: build support, determine the system's purpose, inventory available student data, identify information gaps, consider a small prototype, make tracking ongoing, and use the system. Reviews potential problems during implementation. Cites further sources of information. (DMM)