CCRC in the News

In this Inside Higher Ed essay, CCRC Research Associate Maggie Fay explains how developmental education undermines the ability of students from disadvantaged backgrounds to advance and succeed in higher education, despite their enthusiasm and effort. 

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden released a program proposal that would wipe out up 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. 

This Washington Post story describes how students who typically rely on work-study jobs to cover expenses are struggling to make ends meet in the midst of virtual instruction. 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. 

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. 

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.”

A new survey from Inside Higher Ed offers a snapshot of administrators' attitudes toward and perceptions of the transfer process. CCRC Senior Research Associate John Fink said the opinion gaps between personnel at two- and four-year campuses underscores the need for officials to take "collective responsibility for transfer students from community college start to university finish."

In this Helix Education podcast, CCRC Postdoctoral Research Associate Vivian Yuen Ting Liu describes the revenue implications for four-year colleges when their students take some of their courses at two-year institutions. 

Enrollment dropped by 15% at Connecticut's 12 community college, outpacing the average 8% dip colleges nationwide have seen this semester. CCRC Senior Research Scholar Davis Jenkins told the Connecticut Mirror that because many students rely on service jobs to pay tuition, cuts to the industry may be partially to blame for campuses' enrollment woes.

Several outlets—including Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, Education Week, and EducationDive—covered CCRC's new dual enrollment report. The publication, which is a collaboration between CCRC and the Aspen Institute, describes how K-12 districts and community colleges have successfully partnered to narrow equity gaps in acceleration programs.

CCRC Senior Research Scholar Davis Jenkins spoke to DBusiness about the strides Michigan community colleges are making in implementing guided pathways. The colleges are making "impressive progress in redesigning their programs and support services," Jenkins said.