TCSG to USG Transfer Study
Updated Results from Pilot Survey
Research & Policy Analysis
University System of Georgia
Board of Regents
July 20, 2015th
Rachana Bhatt, Ph.D.
rachana.bhatt@usg.edu
A large numbers of students transfer into USG institutions from TCSG
each year. State Universities and Colleges are largest recipients.
Number of Students that Transfer into USG: Total and TCSG Transfers
16,000
20.0% 20.2%
20.9%
% of Transfers from TCSG
14,000
12,000
10,000
5.4%
4.5%
3.8%
11.6% 10.1% 10.9%
15.3% 14.3% 15.1%
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
Research Universities
Comprehensive Universities
State Universities
2013-14
2012-13
2011-12
2013-14
2012-13
2011-12
2013-14
2012-13
2011-12
2013-14
2012-13
2011-12
0
State Colleges
Transfer hours minimize duplication of coursework for students seeking to earn a
degree at USG institutions.
Hours Transferred into USG by TCSG Students, by Receiving Institution Type
60
50
30
20
10
Research Universities
Comprehensive Universities
State Universities
2013-14
2012-13
2011-12
2013-14
2012-13
2011-12
2013-14
2012-13
2011-12
2013-14
2012-13
0
2011-12
Hours
40
State Colleges
TCSG students transfer in the least amount of hours compared to other
transfers.
Hours Transferred into USG by Type of Sending Institution
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2011-12 2012-13 2013-14
TCSG
2011-12 2012-13 2013-14
Out of State
2011-12 2012-13 2013-14
Other Georgia Schools
Articulation Agreement
• Background
– 27 General Education courses which transfer between
TCSG and USG (10 in 2010, 17 more added in 2012)
– Encourage pursuit of baccalaureate degree opportunities
• Questions of interest
– How many/which courses are students transferring most
frequently?
– How do students perform in subject-specific follow up
courses?
– How do these students compare to non-transfers?
Pilot Survey
• Five Participating Institutions
– Kennesaw, Georgia Highlands, Valdosta, Clayton, Columbus
• Data
– Course name and grade received in each transfer course
– Course name and grade received in subject-specific follow-up
course
– Average grade received by peers in follow-up course
– Demographic and academic characteristics of transfer students
Data Overview
• Data has been collected for:
Cohort
N
Dates of Observation
1
205
Fall 2012 to Fall 2013
2
130
Spring 2013 to Spring 2014
3
51
Summer 2013 to Summer 2014
4
248
Fall 2013 to Fall 2014
• 634 students that transferred 1,348 courses from TCSG to
USG (previously 544 students that transferred 1,086
courses)
Sending Institution
Receiving Institution
Georgia
Clayton Columbus Highlands Kennesaw Valdosta
Albany Technical College
1
3
Athens Technical College
1
9
2
Atlanta Technical College
1
1
3
Augusta Technical College
1
Central Georgia Technical College
1
Chattahoochee Technical College
40
356
7
Columbus Technical College
41
Georgia Northwestern Technical College
10
21
Georgia Piedmont Technical College
1
7
Gwinnett Technical College
18
2
Lanier Technical College
1
1
Middle Georgia Technical College
2
1
Savannah Technical College
2
South Georgia Technical College
1
Southeastern Technical College
1
Southern Crescent Technical College
1
Southwest Georgia Technical College
1
14
14
West Georgia Technical College
7
2
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
58
Total
3
48
56
438
89
Finding 1: TCSG students transfer anywhere from 1-6 articulated courses.
Average is 2. Number of courses does not vary by sending institution.
Number of Articulated Courses Transferred In
300
260
250
Number of Students
200
177
150
105
100
52
50
29
11
0
1
2
3
Number of Courses
4
5
6
Finding 2: Math (1111/1113) and English (1101/1102) are the most
often transferred. Average transfer grade is B.
Distribution of Transfer Courses from TCSG to USG (Frequency and Average Grade)
25%
4
3.5
2.5
15%
2
10%
1.5
1
5%
0.5
BIOL CHEM
ENGL
HIST
MATH
OTHER
SPCH 1101
SOCI 1101
PSYC 1101
POLS 1101
PHYS 1111
HUMN 1101
GEOG 1013
ECON 1101
ARTS 1101
1131
1127
1125
1113
1111
1101
2112
2111
1112
1111
2130
1102
1101
1152/L
1151/L
0
1112/L
0%
1111/L
Number of Courses
3
Average Grade (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1)
20%
Finding 3: 70% of articulated courses taken within 3 terms before transfer
% of Articulated Courses taken 1, 2, ......Semesters before Transfer to USG
35%
30%
% of Courses
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Number of Terms between when Articulated Course was Taken and Transfer to USG
10 or
more
Average Performance in Transfer and Follow Up Course
(A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0)
TCSG
USG
Student Grade
Student Grade
Class Average
Student: % D/F
Student: % of
Withdrawals
N
BIOL
1111/L
1112
3.1
3.5
2.4
1
2.2
2
20.0%
100.0%
10.7%
50.0%
28
4
CHEM
1151/L
1152
3.3
2
3
3
2.7
3
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
14
2
ECON 1101
3.1
2.9
2.4
12.8%
15.2%
46
1101
1102
2130
3.2
3.3
3
2.9
2.9
3.0
2.7
2.8
2.1
11.3%
10.7%
11.8%
13.4%
11.2%
19.0%
246
232
42
1111
1112
2111
2112
3.0
3
2.8
2.9
2.7
2.7
3.0
2.8
2.6
2.8
2.7
2.7
15.8%
16.7%
11.4%
11.4%
18.6%
20.0%
10.3%
2.8%
70
15
39
36
Transfer Course
ENGL
HIST
*There are some inconsistencies across schools with respect to whether WF grades are included/excluded from the calculation of class average.
Average Performance in Transfer and Follow Up Course (Continued)
(A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0)
TCSG
USG
Student
Grade
Student
Grade
Class
Average
Student: % D/F
Student: % of Withdrawls
N
MATH
1101
1111
1113
1127
1131
3.1
3.0
2.75
2.9
3.3
2.7
2.8
2.6
2.8
2.6
2.5
2.4
2.4
2.5
2.2
23.1%
18.2%
21.6%
13.9%
18.2%
13.3%
17.8%
19.3%
12.2%
0.0%
15
287
88
41
11
POLS 1101
3.4
3.1
2.9
7.7%
35.0%
20
PSYC 1101
3.5
2.9
2.7
13.5%
7.1%
56
SOCI 1101
3.5
2.8
3.0
9.5%
8.7%
23
SPCH 1101
3.3
3.1
3.0
8.0%
3.8%
26
Transfer Course
Finding 4:Transfer students
*earn lower grades in follow-up courses (but these are higher level classes)
*have 10-20% withdrawal rates in follow-up courses
*that remain in follow-up courses perform better than the average student
Finding 5: Those with lowest transfer course grades have higher withdrawal and
D/F rates and have different course taking patterns.
Average Performance in Transfer and Follow Up Course, by Transfer Course Grade
(A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0)
USG
% of
Student Grade % D/F
Withdrawals
Most Popular Follow Up Courses
Transfer Course Grade
ENGL 1101
4=A
B
C
1=D
N
3.2
2.8
2.4
1.8
8.9%
12.2%
13.8%
25.0%
8.2%
15.9%
19.4%
20.0%
ENGL 2110: 46%
ENGL 2110: 48%
ENGL 1102: 59%
ENGL 1101: 100%
ENGL 1102: 40%
ENGL 1102: 37%
ENGL 2110: 37%
98
107
36
5
4=A
3.3
4.6%
11.2%
ENGL 2110: 83%
ENGL 2060/2113: 6%
98
B
C
2.8
2.1
8.1%
32.3%
11.3%
11.4%
ENGL 2110: 80%
ENGL 2110: 66%
ENGL 2111/2112: 10%
ENGL 2111: 12%
97
35
4=A
3.2
9.1%
9.2%
MATH 1106/07: 41%
MATH 1113: 18%
109
B
2.8
13.8%
21.7%
MATH 1106/07: 52%
MATH 1190: 13%
83
C
2.1
36.9%
25.3%
MATH 1106/07: 53%
MATH 1112/13: 22%
87
1=D
2.7
14.3%
12.5%
MATH 1107: 38%
MATH 1111/13: 50%
8
ENGL 1102
MATH 1111
Finding 6: Those that have the longest lag between articulated and follow up
course have highest D/F and withdrawal rates.
Average Performance in Transfer and Follow Up Course, by Length of Time between Courses
(A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0)
TCSG
USG
Student Grade
Student Grade
% D/F
% of Withdrawals
N
1 to 3 terms
3.1
2.9
8.0%
9.4%
96
4 to 6 terms
3.3
2.9
13.8%
11.3%
106
7 plus terms
3.2
2.8
12.5%
27.3%
44
1 to 3 terms
3.3
2.9
11.4%
7.3%
123
4 to 6 terms
3.2
3.0
6.8%
14.0%
86
7 plus terms
3.3
2.7
22.2%
18.2%
22
1 to 3 terms
3.0
2.7
22.8%
17.2%
122
4 to 6 terms
3.0
2.9
12.0%
20.0%
115
7 plus terms
3.3
2.9
21.4%
14.3%
49
Transfer Course
ENGL 1101
ENGL 1102
MATH 1111
Finding 7: TCSG transfer students are similar to First-Time Freshman in
terms of demographic characteristics.
TCSG Transfer Students
Male
36%
First Time Freshman
Male,
41%
Female,
59%
Female
64%
Asian
3%
Asian, 3%
Black
23%
American
Indian
1%
White
58%
Unknown
3%
Hispanic,
7%
Hispanic
8%
Hawaiian
0%
Two or
More
4%
Black, 27%
White,
57%
American
Indian, 0%
Hawaiian,
0%
Unknown, Two or
2%
More , 4%
Finding 7: TCSG transfer students are older and have lower academic
background than typical First-Time Freshman.
TCSG Transfer Students
First Time Freshman
Age at Entry to USG
Age at Transfer to USG
20%
10%
5%
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35 plus
0%
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35 plus
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
15%
Prior Academic Indicators
Prior Academic Indicators
HS GPA
SAT Math
SAT Verbal
Average
3.09
486.65
500.14
[standard dev]
[0.57]
[83.92]
N
175
221
HS GPA
SAT Math SAT Verbal
Average
3.12
506.57
516.76
[88.73]
[standard dev]
0.46
73.93
73.68
221
N
15293
10313
10315
Comparison of Performance in Follow-Up Courses for Transfer and Non-Transfer Students
English
Transfer Students
Average Grade
1101
3.3
% of Withdrawals
% of D/F's
N
Average Grade
% of Withdrawals
% of D/F's
N
1101
3.2
9.2%
11.1%
109
1101
3.2
% of Withdrawals
% of D/F's
N
Average Grade
2110
2.9
Non-Transfer Students
3.5%
5.8%
1,383
1102
2.9
1101
3.1
16.2%
10.8%
99
1102
3.3
1102
3.0
4.3%
7.5%
8,380
2110
3.0
9.3%
9.1%
182
2110
3.1
1102
3.3
2110
3.2
3.0%
4.9%
1,709
Comparison of Performance in Follow-Up Courses for Transfer and Non-Transfer Students
Math
Average Grade
1111
3.1
% of Withdrawals
% of D/F's
N
Average Grade
% of Withdrawals
% of D/F's
N
1113
2.4
1111
3.1
26.2%
32.3%
42
1111
3.2
11.6%
21.4%
724
1190
2.4
39.1%
28.6%
23
1113
2.6
1111
3.4
1190
2.9
8.3%
9.0%
109
Finding 8: Transfer and non-transfer students both perform worse in
follow-up courses, but transfer students have 2-3 times higher
withdrawal and D/F rates
Finding 9: TCSG students earn fewer credit hours compared to FTF.
Comparison of Hours Attempted and Earned for TCSG Transfer and FTF
14
Earned Hours
12
10
8
6
10.6
9.8
10.8
9.8
11.2
9.9
4
2
0
Transfer
First Time
Freshman
Fall 1
Transfer
First Time
Freshman
Spring
Transfer
First Time
Freshman
Fall 2
Concluding Remarks
• TCSG transfer students:
– Perform worse in follow-up courses than in transfer
courses
• Likely due to higher difficulty level since traditional FTF also
do worse in follow up
– Have high withdrawal rates
• Withdrawal at double the rate of FTF
– But, those that remain in class perform better than
their average classmate
Concluding Remarks
– Attempt fewer hours and earn less credit that
traditional FTF.
– Subsequent course-taking patterns and success linked
to experience with articulated courses
• Those with lowest transfer course grade have highest
withdrawal and D/F rates.
• Those that wait the longest between transfer and follow-up
perform worse
• Differential course taking patterns suggest students are
aware of/being advised to take appropriate-level courses.
Appendix Table 1: List of Transfer Courses and Corresponding Follow-Up Courses Taken by Students
TCSG Transfer
Course
USG Follow-Up
Course
N
ARTS 1101
ART 1100
ART 1107
1
1
BIOL 1111/L
BIOL 1010
BIOL 1100
BIOL 2651
SCI 1102
SCI 3360
BIOL 1100
BIOL 2651
3
1
1
13
1
1
1
CHEM 1151/L
CHEM 1152/L
12
ECON 1101
ECON 2100
17
ECON 2106
ECON 2200
ECON 2300
1
3
4
ENGL 0099
ENGL 1101
ENGL 1102
ENGL 2010
ENGL 2060
ENGL 2110
ENGL 2111
ENGL 2112
ENGL 2113
ENGL 2120
ENGL 2132
ENGL 2271
ENGL 3010
3
7
84
3
3
89
10
5
2
1
1
1
3
BIOL 1112
ENGL 1101
TCSG Transfer
Course
USG Follow Up
Course
ENGL 1102
ENGL 1101
ENGL 1102
ENGL 2010
ENGL 2060
ENGL 2110
ENGL 2111
ENGL 2112
ENGL 2113
ENGL 2121
ENGL 2132
ENGL 2133
ENGL 2271
ENGL 3010
ENGL 3500
2
5
2
3
145
10
7
5
1
2
1
1
3
1
ENGL 2130
ENGL 1102
ENGL 2010
ENGL 2060
ENGL 2110
ENGL 2111
ENGL 3010
ENGL 3500
23
1
1
7
1
2
1
N
Appendix Table 1: List of Transfer Courses and Corresponding Follow-Up Courses Taken by Students
TCSG Transfer USG FollowCourse
Up Course
HIST 1111
HIST 1112
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
HUMN 1101
N
TCSG Transfer Course
USG Follow Up Course
N
HIST 1110
HIST 1112
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
HIST 3304
HIST 3333
HIST 3372
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
HIST 4444
2
1
9
38
1
1
1
2
10
1
MATH 1101
HIST 1110
HIST 1112
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
HIST 3335
HIST 4444
HIST 1110
HIST 1111
HIST 1122
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
HIST 2206
15
1
2
11
1
1
13
1
1
3
3
2
MATH 1106
MATH 1107
MATH 1112
MATH 2202
MATH 97
MATH 1101
MATH 1106
MATH 1107
MATH 1111
MATH 1112
MATH 1113
MATH 1190
MATH 1261
MATH 1401
MATH 2008
MATH 2200
MATH 2202
MATH 2261
MATH 2262
MATH 2595
MATH 2620
MATH 3161
STAT 1127
3
5
2
1
1
3
48
54
9
20
24
20
7
1
10
3
4
3
1
1
8
1
4
HIST 3304
1
HIST 3333
1
ITDS 1155
1
ITDS 2735
1
MATH 1111
Appendix Table 1: List of Transfer Courses and Corresponding Follow-Up Courses Taken by Students
TCSG Transfer Course
MATH 1113
MATH 1127
MATH 1131
PHYS 1111
USG Follow-Up
Course
N
TCSG Transfer Course
USG Follow Up
Course
N
MATH 1101
MATH 1106
MATH 1107
MATH 1113
MATH 1190
MATH 2125
MATH 2200
MATH 2202
MATH 2261
MATH 2595
MATH 1101
MATH 1106
MATH 1107
MATH 1111
MATH 1113
MATH 1190
MATH 1261
MATH 2008
MATH 2202
MATH 3316
MATH 1107
MATH 2200
MATH 2202
1
16
15
2
30
1
2
5
2
1
2
5
3
1
6
4
1
5
2
1
2
1
5
POLS 1101
POLS 1101
POLS 2101
POLS 2240
POLS 2250
POLS 3300
POLS 3360
POLS 3370
POLS 3600
4
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
PSY 1101
PSY 1101
PSY 2103
PSY 2210
PSY 2700
PSY 3210
PSY 3305
PSY 3370
PSY 3400
PSY 3410
PSY 3800
PSY 4870
6
5
9
6
1
10
1
1
1
4
1
PHYS 1112
1
Appendix Table 1: List of Transfer Courses and Corresponding Follow-Up Courses Taken by Students
TCSG Transfer Course
USG Follow-Up
Course
N
TCSG Transfer Course
USG Follow Up
Course
N
SOC 1101
SOC 1101
2
SPC 1101
COMM 1109
13
SOC 1160
1
COMM 2135
1
SOC 2105
3
COMM 1100
6
SOC 2201
2
SOC 2251
1
SOC 2301
1
SOC 3117
1
SOC 3314
1
SOC 3364
1
SOC 3650
1
SOC 4432
1
Courses highlighted in red are those that we compared performance in for TCSG transfer and non-transfer students.