SACRAMENTO – A bill to establish the first formal transfer and articulation pathways between California’s tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) and the state’s postsecondary institutions cleared the legislature today. Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) introduced the measure that would minimize coursework duplication and ensure the effective and efficient progress of students attending tribal colleges and seeking transfer to another institution.
Such pathway agreements, for example, are in place between community colleges and universities. Despite California’s significant progress in creating transfer pathways across our higher education systems, tribal colleges remain largely excluded from those processes. California has three TCUS: California Indian Nations College, California Tribal College and Kumeyaay Community College. Native American students who attend a TCU before attending a four-year institution are four times more likely to earn their bachelor’s degree compared to students enroll directly in a four-year institution.
Ramos said, “Culturally relevant education bridges the gap in postsecondary institutions for Native American students and helps students attain a four-year degree with less duplication of coursework. This is particularly important for Native students who consistently make up one percent of both first year and transfer students.”
Specifically, the bill would call on the California Community Colleges, California State University, and University of California systems to develop and implement transfer agreements and articulation programs to support TCU students in their quest to those institutions.
Co-sponsors are Table Mountain and California Indian Nations College. Supporters include the California Teachers Association, California Tribal Business Alliance, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Nextgen California, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Student Senate for California Community Colleges, Wilton Rancheria, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and the Yurok Tribe. The bill will be sent to the governor for his review.
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Assemblymember James C. Ramos proudly represents the 45th Assembly district that includes the Cities of Fontana, Highland, Mentone, Redlands, Rialto and San Bernardino. He is the first and only California Native American serving in the state’s legislature. Ramos chairs the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #6 on Public Safety and the Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs.
