Doubts Raised Over US States’ Plans to Merge College Systems
In the wake of enrollment declines and budget woes, some states are considering consolidating their higher education systems. But CCRC Senior Research Scholar Davis Jenkins told Times Higher Education that once all the costs are accounted for, mergers don't always save states much money.
Over 60,000 Students Applied to Columbia This Year. Will the 51 Percent Spike Decrease the Achievement Gap?
After implementing a one-year test-optional policy and transitioning to virtual outreach for this year's admissions cycle, Columbia University saw a significant jump in undergraduate applications. CCRC Senior Research Scholar Davis Jenkins told The Columbia Spectator that he was concerned the diverse applicant pool would not necessarily translate to a diverse student body because of the pandemic's disproportionate effect on low-income and minoritized communities.
Motlow Heralded for Innovation for Adult Students
This Tullahoma News story describes findings from CCRC's January report on how guided pathways colleges support adult students. Motlow State in Tennessee is among the institutions that have implemented targeted supports recognizing the challenges and opportunities of adult learners.
Community Colleges at a Crossroads: Enrollment Is Plummeting, but Political Clout Is Growing
With First Lady Jill Biden championing their cause and the free college movement gaining national attention, community colleges are in the spotlight. But the steep enrollment declines caused by COVID-19 threaten to upend the sector, which could be disastrous not just for students and faculty but also, CCRC Senior Research Scholar Davis Jenkins told The Washington Post, for democracy.
Is American Student Debt Too Big to Fail?
CCRC Senior Research Scholar Judith Scott-Clayton spoke to the German outlet Deutsche Welle about the significant percentage of borrowers who default on their student loans. She noted that default rates are higher among nongraduates and Black borrowers and emphasized the importance of making college more affordable to stem the student debt crisis.
Don’t Forget Equity When Reforming Postsecondary Math
This Just Equations blog post summarizes CCRC's November 2020 working paper on improving developmental and college-level mathematics. Researchers found that broad-based reforms have been insufficient in eliminating inequities in developmental placement and completion between underserved students and their more advantaged peers.
Jill Biden Wants Free Community College for All
First Lady Jill Biden views affordable higher education and training programs as a key to America's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. CCRC Director Thomas Brock told The National Interest that free college policies should not be limited to community colleges and should instead make two years of college affordable for students attending community colleges or four-year institutions, up to a reasonable limit.
How to Earn College Credit Through Dual Enrollment
U.S. News and World Report describes how dual enrollment programs operate and what opportunities they may offer to high school students. The cost of these programs for students tends to vary by high school, CCRC Senior Research Scholar Elisabeth Barnett said.
PolitiFact: Democrats Say 40% of People With College Debt Didn't Get Degrees
CCRC Senior Research Scholar Judith Scott-Clayton weighed in on the truthfulness of Democrats' claim that almost 40% of people with college debt never finished a degree. There's not a ton of information on this, but Scott-Clayton told PolitiFact that an analysis of NCES data supports the statement.
The New College Days: Reflecting on the First Semester of the 2020-2021 Academic Year
CCRC Director Tom Brock spoke to Connecticut Public Radio about what the state's decision to merge its 12 community colleges into one system means for faculty, students, and staff. He also described how the pandemic has affected community colleges across the country thus far.
