The Mixed Methods Blog

Perspectives from our researchers, highlights from recent studies, and other news about CCRC

How Can Community Colleges Afford to Offer Dual Enrollment College Courses to High School Students at a Discount?

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Many community colleges offer dual enrollment courses at a lower tuition rate than is paid by post-high school students. But—as dual enrollment students have come to comprise a larger share of community college enrollments—can colleges afford to continue offering these courses at a discount? Clive Belfield, Davis Jenkins, and John Fink consider how community colleges can structure their programs to be more efficient and financially sustainable.

CCRC Awarded Major Grant to Support Five Research Projects

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CCRC has been awarded $7 million to support five projects that will allow the center to build on current research, expand into new areas, and share our knowledge with the field.

Higher Education Leaders Join CCRC’s Advisory Board

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Three new members are joining CCRC’s National Advisory Board, bringing fresh perspectives to the 12-member body and bolstering the center’s already strong connections with community college educators and other leaders in the field.

Moving Beyond Semester vs. Quarter System

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Former research intern Hamnah Malik breaks down the potential benefits and drawbacks of the quarter system and discusses how a similar system of mini-semesters at community colleges could facilitate learning and promote student success. 

What Happened to Community College Enrollment During the First Years of the Pandemic? It Depends on the Students’ Age

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For the first time following the pandemic, we can examine detailed state- and college-level enrollment trends by age group using the latest federal data. Senior Research Associate and Program Lead John Fink examines these numbers and offers three major takeaways on how community college enrollment changed during the pandemic.