Two Large Studies Measure Progress on Guided Pathways at Community Colleges

Because whole-college reform is hard to evaluate, no prior major study has examined how successfully colleges have adopted guided pathways or what its effects have been on students. Now, two recent studies from CCRC are providing an unprecedented look at guided pathways reforms at approximately 100 colleges.
Building Stronger Collaborations Between Community Colleges and Disciplinary Societies

For university faculty, disciplinary societies provide support throughout their careers—stimulating new ideas and fostering collaborations. How can these supports be more accessible to faculty teaching in community colleges? A new report summarizes the outcomes of a 2023 workshop that created action plans for increased collaboration and engagement.
Aftershocks: How the Pandemic Affected Community College Finances

By Clive Belfield, Thomas Brock, John Fink, and Davis Jenkins For the community college sector, the COVID-19 pandemic was not like other economic shocks. Traditionally, economic downturns lead students to enroll in college at higher rates: Fiscal shocks are therefore offset by increases in tuition revenue, and college operations and institutional
Help Us Set a Research Agenda on the Role of Community Colleges in the Green Jobs Economy

In April, CCRC will host a half-day symposium to elevate the role community colleges play in addressing climate change and highlight the needs and opportunities for public and private sector coordination in order to help community colleges fulfill their promise in preparing students for the green economy.
“Waiving” Goodbye to Placement Tests for Dual Enrollment in Ohio

Ohio waived testing-based eligibility requirements for some dual enrollment students by introducing the Innovative Program (IP) policy in 2017. A new CCRC working paper examines how the state policy was implemented and whether it resulted in expanded access and improved outcomes for Black and Hispanic students.