The “purple” state of North Carolina does a few things right. The state does not allow public-sector collective bargaining. It’s a Right to Work state, allowing workers to avoid compulsory union membership. And it has a community-college system that is pretty well run.

In today’s Martin Center article, Grace Hall explains why. The main reason is the state’s Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA).

She writes:

A quick Google search shows the CAA’s effectiveness, particularly where the course-mapping requirement is concerned. Browsing online, one is able to find the bachelor’s degree one wants to attain and which courses to take at an N.C. community college. One can also see which subsequent courses to take at the desired four-year institution. The guaranteed transfer of certain courses allows students to cost-effectively complete their general-education requirements without worrying about whether they will find out their time was wasted down the line.

At a time when many students are trying to learn useful things they need for success in life without going deep into debt, this makes perfect sense.

Read the whole thing.