CCRC in the News
Elite Colleges Compete for Transfer Students
Selective four-year colleges are reaching out to prospective community college transfer students in an effort to counteract dipping enrollment, Community College Daily reports. CCRC Senior Research Associate John Fink acknowledged that competition spurs poaching and said it's important for colleges to ensure transfer students are supported to earn a bachelor's degree once they change institutions.
Chuck Schumer Says Biden Could Forgive $50,000 in Student Debt With Executive Order
President-elect Joe Biden proposed a program that would provide $10,000 of student debt relief for every year of national or community service, up to five years. CCRC Senior Research Scholar Judith Scott-Clayton told NBC that prioritizing student debt is a "no-brainer." She also spoke to The Chronicle of Higher Education about the racial implications of student debt relief.
Pathways Are Worth the Cost
Community College Daily summarizes CCRC's latest reports on guided pathways, which estimate the cost of the reforms and offer guidance for how to fund and sustain them.
As Community College Enrollment Dips Nationwide, CCV Numbers Hold Steady
Bucking national trends, enrollment at the Community College of Vermont has stayed near its pre-pandemic levels this semester. CCRC Senior Research Scholar Davis Jenkins told VT Digger that the college's relatively high tuition rate may have been a factor because students were already used to paying more to attend classes.
In Another Blow to Student Equity, Transfers to 2-Year Colleges Plunge
CCRC Director Tom Brock spoke to The Chronicle of Higher Education about the decline in transfer enrollments and noted that he is concerned the dip in students will lead to a drop in funding for community colleges.
Transfer Enrollment Declines
CCRC Senior Research Scholar Davis Jenkins told Insider Higher Ed he's not particularly surprised that new data indicate transfer enrollment is down 4.7% from last fall. Enrollment across higher education and at community colleges in particular has decreased during the pandemic.
‘This Could Be Huge’—Economists Weigh in on Biden’s Proposal to Forgive $10,000 in Student Debt in Exchange for Public Service
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden released a program proposal that would wipe out a significant amount of student debt for each year of national or community service, up to five years. In this CNBC story, CCRC Senior Research Scholar Judith Scott-Clayton praised the idea as a "no-brainer" but cautioned that the program should avoid creating too many hoops for borrowers to jump through to receive relief.
Students Who Counted on Work-Study Jobs Now Struggle to Pay Their Bills
The Washington Post describes how students who typically rely on work-study jobs to cover expenses are struggling to make ends meet during virtual schooling. CCRC Senior Research Scholar Judith Scott-Clayton weighed in, noting that, beyond wages, on-campus jobs often represent a key part of students' college experience.
Recessions Are Usually Good for Community Colleges. Not This Time
In this WGBH story, CCRC Senior Research Scholar Davis Jenkins explains how COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting low-income students and students of color. Community colleges across the country have seen enrollment declines during the pandemic.
Multiple Measures Lead to Better Outcomes
This Community College Daily story describes findings from CAPR's latest report on multiple measures assessment and placement. CCRC's Elisabeth Barnett, who is a member of CAPR's senior research staff, said the impact findings suggest "colleges [should] default to placing students into college-level courses when they’re on the fence about whether or not they’re ready.”
