In 1987, the Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges initiated a three and one-half year evaluation of the statewide matriculation program, a legislatively mandated effort to assist community college students in identifying and achieving their educational goals. This report evaluates the implementation of matriculation during the first year, 1987-88. The report discusses matriculation services prior to 1987-88 and after the first year of program implementation, focusing on orientation; assessment; advisement, counseling, and course selection; student follow-up; institutional research and evaluation; coordination and training; admissions; barriers to program implementation; and the impact of matriculation on the colleges. In addition, the report presents results from student and faculty surveys, discusses the role and effectiveness of the Chancellor's Office, offers a cost analysis, and presents recommendations. Major findings of the study include the following: (1) 60% of the colleges expanded their orientation programs, and 60% implemented new types of orientation services; (2) over 70% of the colleges expanded existing assessment programs, and almost 75% expanded their counseling programs; (3) the implementation of matriculation was impeded by cutbacks and delays in funding, poor communication between the Chancellor's Office and the field, limited data processing capabilities, and defunding of a statewide management information system; (4) despite the fact that most students perceived benefits from the matriculation services, 40% indicated that they were still confused about which courses they should be taking; and (5) faculty participation in the program was limited. Recommendations call for full funding of the matriculation program by the legislature, the development of a 5-year evaluation timeline, greater faculty involvement, and a greater emphasis on student assistance, particularly with respect to course selection. Survey instruments are appended. (JMC)