In a July 14, 2009 article on Slate.com, Christopher Beam reflects on President Obama's plan to put funding toward revamping the nation's community college system. Thomas Bailey, the director of the Community College Research Center, is quoted in the article.

"Too often, community colleges are treated like an afterthought—if they're thought of at all," Obama said in his speech. Right now, somewhere between one-third and one-half of American undergrads are at community colleges, depending how you count. Yet community colleges receive only 20 percent of federal funding. "We've been so focused on the quality and reputation of our lead institutions" at the expense of community colleges, says Thomas Bailey of the Community College Research Center at Columbia University.

--Read the entire article at: http://www.slate.com/id/2222570/  (Site registration may be required.)