CCRC in the News
New Report Highlights Adult Learners of Color
Inside Higher Ed described findings from CCRC's new report on how colleges and states can support racially minoritized adult learners who are pursuing postsecondary education as a path to reemployment, better jobs, and higher incomes. Community College Daily also wrote about the publication.
Madison College Is Letting Students Try Before They Buy
To reduce financial risk for students and boost enrollment, a Wisconsin college is offering learners the chance to test out classes for free before they decide to enroll. CCRC's Hana Lahr told Higher Ed Dive that in order to get students to commit after the trial, the college should make it clear how the classes can help them meet their goals.
The Rise of the Five-Year Four-Year Degree
On the Economix blog of the New York Times, CCRC's Judith Scott-Clayton writes that more students are taking longer to earn a bachelor's degree, and colleges have no incentive to speed them up.
Community Colleges Are Innovators. A New Effort Aims to Share Their Insights.
This EdSurge story describes the Community College Research-Practice-Policy Exchange, which CCRC is proud to be a part of. The initiative will develop a practitioner-defined national community college research agenda and disseminate research findings throughout the country.
How Colleges Can Ensure This Year's High School Graduates Aren't Left Behind
Community colleges across the country are experimenting with ways to rebound from pandemic-related enrollment slides. CCRC Senior Research Scholar Davis Jenkins told Higher Ed Dive that in order to bring students back into the classroom, colleges must make it clear that their programs will lead to a good job or a bachelor's degree.
Biden’s Plan to Make Community College Tuition Free Could Help NW Students, Local Administrators Say
President Biden's call for free community college is an acknowledgment that workers need a postsecondary credential to meaningfully participate in the economy, CCRC Senior Research Scholar Davis Jenkins told Union-Bulletin.
Biden’s Plans to Expand Free Education May Be New for America. But in Other Countries, They’re the Norm.
During his April 28 speech, President Biden said his proposal to expand access to free community college will help the United States compete with the rest of the world. CCRC Director Thomas Brock told The Washington Post that America's community colleges are difficult to compare to other countries' higher education systems, though similarities can be drawn to higher education in Canada, Australia, and Britain, where financial aid is also used to offset high tuition.
Would Offering More Associate Degrees at Technical Schools Hurt Wisconsin's 2-Year Colleges?
The Wisconsin legislature is considering a bill that would allow the state's technical colleges to offer more associate degree programs. CCRC Senior Research Associate Maria Cormier told Higher Ed Dive that increasing access to two-year degrees could help meet the demand for lifelong learning opportunities.
NCCC in Winsted Selected to Attend Research Center’s Institute
Northwestern Connecticut Community College will join CCRC's summer institute on guided pathways. NCCC's local paper, The Litchfield County Times, celebrated the college's selection to the program.
LI Community Colleges See Marked Declines in Enrollment
Community college enrollment has been decreasing on Long Island for the last decade, and the pandemic accelerated the trend. CCRC Senior Research Scholar Davis Jenkins told Newsday that the declines are a reflection not only of COVID-19 but also of the importance of a four-year degree in communities like the New York City suburbs.
