In 2021, California passed a law expanding a pilot program that created bachelor’s degrees at community colleges. The new law allows the community college system to add up to 30 baccalaureate programs each year. Currently, baccalaureate programs are offered in 17 community colleges throughout the state, with three more awaiting accreditation. As a result of this expansion, the need for research on CCBP’s racial equity gaps became apparent.

This $275,000 grant from the College Futures Foundation funds research to create a racial equity framework for select California Community College Baccalaureate Degree Programs with a focus on racial equity in academic and labor market outcomes. The study builds on recent research focused on narrowing the racial equity gaps in CCBPs.

The College Futures Foundation Baccalaureate Program study will develop new racial equity assessment tools, determine which areas need capacity-building support to enhance race-conscious and equity-minded policies and practices, and how research-to-practice learning communities improve CCBP practitioners’ expertise and implementation of processes and practices.