A proposed associate of arts degree program aims to make it easier for community college students in the Central Valley to transfer to four-year institutions.

"It could be a model for other areas of the state," said Allen Carden, executive director of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium.

Under the proposal, students would not lose any credits, as they often do now, in transferring to a four-year college, and four-year schools would guarantee admission to students who complete the associate degree program, Carden said.

Established in 2002, the consortium is a nonprofit organization with 24 members, including four community college districts. It is led by the chancellors and presidents of 20 public and private institutions, including California State University, the University of California, community colleges and private universities.

Each of 20 campuses in the consortium, and the California Community College Chancellor's Office in Sacramento, needs to approve the proposal before the program would be offered, Carden said.

The consortium also hopes that students would be better prepared for four-year institutions than they are now.

"Unfortunately, in many cases they are not well-prepared," Carden said. "We would hope there would be less remedial work required (at four-year colleges)."

The degree proposal, and other projects, all of which aim to raise the percentage of the valley population that goes to college, got a boost this week.

The James Irvine Foundation awarded the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium a $250,000 grant over two years. The money will go to fund gen- eral operations of the consortium, and help pay for specific projects, including the degree proposal.

Faculty members from the consortium's 10-county area are set to hear a report on the proposed associate degree today.

Carden said it's essential that more valley students attend college "for the economic and social health of the valley."

A report issued a year ago by the nonprofit group found that fewer students in the valley are prepared for college, and fewer go on to four-year colleges, than students statewide.

Under the proposal, students who pursue the degree at community colleges in the valley would not take any classes that do not transfer for credit to a four-year college or university.

Currently, such classes are required at community colleges, Carden said. As a result, many students opt to skip an associate of arts degree, he said.

The consortium is working on several other strategies to get more students to go to college. They include:

Enhancing the Web site www.collegenext.org and reaching counselors and other college- access professionals with this tool.

Conducting research and analysis related to students' academic achievement and college access.

Serving as a regional source of support for the educational community in the valley.