Bill Seeks To Lower Dropout Rate Among Nursing Schools

The Assembly on Thursday is scheduled to debate legislation by Assembly member Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto) that would require California community colleges that receive too many applications for nursing programs to adopt a new selection system that is based on merit, the Stockton Record reports.

Forty-two community colleges currently admit applicants based on a lottery system or a first-come, first-served basis.

Since California in the 1990s instituted the lottery system, many schools experienced dropout rates among nursing students up to 40%. Berryhill said he aims for the measure to reduce the rate to 15%, the level before the lottery system took effect.

The legislation leaves details of developing a merit-based system up to the discretion of the schools.

Assembly member Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) and some other lawmakers have voiced concerns that a merit-based system could adversely reduce the rate of minority nursing students. The lottery system was designed to increase their access to the nursing profession (Shaw, Stockton Record, 5/14).