Carmen Cortez – Argument Identified

I have been challenging with rethinking my argument to better understand and come to grasp essentially what is that I want to demonstrate throughout my research paper. Ultimately it comes down to demonstrating that vocational programs are capable and have demonstrated an increase in transfer rates to four-year colleges. In working to demonstrate this concept throughout my research, I have come across the evolving role of community colleges and the programs that have slowly shaped the colleges’ mission and are very much reflective of the times, a diverse population and currently a national call toward increasing the number of students in higher education. Community colleges have embraced the call and vocational programs have undergone changes in function, embracing a transfer focus while preparing students both professionally and academically. It is interesting to note that ‘multiple pathways’ toward the workforce are being studied and have been implemented in the launch of the Pathways to Prosperity project, which offers high school students an opportunity to position themselves with the middle skill job market. Thus alternatives routes to the to bachelor pathway are being considered and vocational programs are mainly proposed to advance such objectives but innovative approaches and development with vocational programs has demonstrates an increases in expectation, engagement and transfer rates within community colleges. The focus of my argument is to demonstrate that vocational programs are conducive to transfer and meanwhile workforce development has been an integral component of these programs, it does not solely define the capacity of the program, which has expanded a transfer focus and has demonstrated proven success.