A Structured Path to College Completion

Where every high school student will graduate with college credits

Across our nation, states like California are grappling with the increased need for access, efficiency, and excellence in education to rise above the projected shortage of 1.1 million workers within the state holding a bachelor's degree by 2030. Implementing complimentary strategies to increase graduation rates, reduce time to completion, and grow transfer services, while expanding access to college will be vital for our nation's success.

What is Early College?

Kern County continues to rank among the lowest in educational attainment in the nation. The Bakersfield Californian, in a recent piece entitled "Bakersfield must break free from list of least-educated cities," lifted up the work of Bakersfield College by stating, "One of the strongest weapons Bakersfield has in fighting its way out of the educational basement is the Kern Community College District—notably its Bakersfield College."

What makes BC notable is the innovative partnerships with local industry and its new Baccalaureate Degree in Industrial Automation. Equally remarkable is BC's outreach into outlying rural communities, the expansion of programs, and bringing college closer to home for distance students.

Integrated into these initiatives are the dual enrollment programs, as well as Early College programs connecting youth with career pathways. The average dual enrollment class has 19 students registered, yet the average high school class size is 30 students. This means on average, classrooms have 11 students missing out on college credit despite completing the coursework.

Early College Will Ensure:

• Every educational pathway is clear and defined from K-12 to community college and into four-year institutions
• Every high school student has an opportunity to earn at least 9 college credits by the end of graduation
• Every high school student understands what it takes to earn a certificate, associate degree, or complete their chosen college pathway