Publications
Labor Market Opportunities and Declining Community College Enrollment in the Pandemic Era The Picture in Los Angeles County
Center for Education Policy Research | July 2024
Using data from the Quarterly Workforce Indicators, this brief explores changes in the Los Angeles County labor market and in the working-age population as a plausible explanation for some of the enrollment decline at the county’s community college campuses.
Regaining Ground: Enrollment Trends in the Los Angeles Community College District in the Wake of COVID-19
Center for Education Policy Research | July 2024
In this brief, the authors examine changes in enrollments at the Los Angeles Community College District between fall 2017 and summer 2023 to document the extent of pandemic-era enrollment declines overall and across student populations.
From the Disruption of the Pandemic, a Path Forward for Community Colleges
Wheelhouse | June 2024
This article in Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning proposes flexibility in course formats as a key strategy to encourage enrollment and persistence post-pandemic and explores challenges associated with enrollment recovery. The authors include recommendations for college leaders to reengage students moving forward.
Pandemic Relief Spending and Recovery Strategies: Findings From a Survey of Community Colleges in Six States
CCRC | June 2024
This report describes pandemic recovery activities community colleges implemented with federal Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEER) funds, colleges’ perceptions of how successful the funds were in addressing student and institutional needs during the pandemic, and colleges’ views of unmet needs.
Filling the Gap: CalFresh Eligibility Among University of California and California Community College Students
California Policy Lab | June 2024
This report links college enrollment and financial aid application data and compares it to CalFresh eligibility rules to create more precise estimates of how many students are likely eligible for CalFresh. The authors pinpoint the eligibility criteria and program rules that appear to have the biggest impact in determining eligibility.
The Tennessee Coaching Project: Student and Coach Experiences
TBR—The College System of Tennessee | June 2024
This policy brief shares findings from a pilot study TBR conducted in fall 2023 to better understand how and why the coaching model is working. The findings suggest that coaching benefits students by helping them build deeper relationships, develop connections across campus, and navigate college processes.
How Did Pandemic Recovery Funding Support California Community Colleges?
Public Policy Institute of California | May 2024
The survey findings in this report explore how Higher Education Emergency Relief funding supported students and institutions during the pandemic and illuminate differences by key college-level demographic, district structure, and college characteristics. Findings may guide future funding and policy efforts and inform campus strategies.
CalFresh Participation Among California’s College Students: A 2021–22 School Year Update
California Policy Lab | April 2024
This data point provides estimates of CalFresh participation rates among community college and University of California students in California.
CalFresh Participation Among California’s College Students: A 2020–21 School Year Update
California Policy Lab | April 2024
This data point provides estimates of CalFresh participation rates among community college and University of California (UC) students in California. It updates numbers from a previous first data point, which focused on CalFresh enrollment during the 2019–20 school year.
The Tennessee Coaching Project: Enhancing Corequisite Learning Support With Success Coaching at Community Colleges
TBR—The College System of Tennessee | April 2024
In a pilot project at two Tennessee colleges, success coaches work with students to navigate coursework, connect with campus resources, and explore careers. This brief overview of the Tennessee Coaching Project details early results that suggest that coaching had a positive impact on student success. Originally published in June 2023 and updated in April 2024.
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