Education plans could increase graduation rates

Each year, the California community colleges have approximately 2.6 million students enrolled, representing nearly 25 percent of the nation’s community college student population.

Each of those students need a plan to get in and out of college. At the start of this year, Palomar students may have experienced long wait times to get a counseling appointment. It may have something to do with state officials new laws that require students to have an educational plan to help them get through the community college system as quickly as possible.

This new education plan program should help improve graduation rates, keep students on track with pace, and give students a sense of confidence in educational goals. The news has spread across campus as students are suggesting this resource to one another.

“I went into the counseling office for a meeting to get a goal plan for my education, but I have not decided on a major yet. After meeting with a counselor, I was told that I could come back in at the end of this semester to lock down an education plan that would help me meet my education goals,” student Cheyenne Cross said.

In the past, California legislators had hoped to push students to leave the community colleges within the two-year mark. Many students are not meeting educational goals, staying at the college longer than two years, and ultimately losing financial aid because of the misplaced focus.

To be accepted for financial aid students must declare a major, stick with the plan and complete it within 90 units.

Only 53.6 percent of Palomar’s degree-seeking students ever achieve a certificate, degree or transfer preparation. Of those students who seek to transfer to a four-year institution, only 41 percent are successful.

The Ed Plan is a semester-by-semester course guide that will potentially help each student to achieve an educational goals. This guide could include general ed courses, major prep courses and electives.

Students have been urged to make an appointment with a counselor as soon as possible to come up with a plan that best suits the students aspirations. The education plan is detailed for each student to follow on a case-by-case basis. As educational goals change, students are recommended to meet with a counselor to update the plan.

Some students are making appointments during the first semester of college and some, like Cheyenne Cross, set up appointments during the summer before their first semester.

To make an Ed Plan make an appointment with a counselor at (760) 744-1150 ext. 2179