Publications
Lingerers in the Community College
This brief examines characteristics and course-taking patterns of students who accumulate a substantial number of college credits but do not earn an award by their fifth year of enrollment.
Demographic and Academic Characteristics of Pell Grant Recipients at Community Colleges
Findings from this paper suggest that while Pell recipients at community colleges have a stronger academic focus than non-Pell recipients, they may be taking more time to complete a credential than is prudent.
Role Ambiguity in Online Courses: An Analysis of Student and Instructor Expectations
Using data from a qualitative investigation of online courses at two community colleges, this paper examines how expectations about the roles of online student and online instructor differ among these two groups.
Facilitating Student Learning Through Contextualization (Assessment of Evidence Series)
This journal article reviews the evidence for contextualization, an instructional approach that connects foundational skills and college-level content.
Redesigning the Pell Grant Program for the Twenty-First Century
In this discussion paper, the authors argue that the time has come to comprehensively redesign the Pell program, and they propose three major structural reforms to the Pell Grant program.
Examining the Effectiveness of Online Learning Within a Community College System: An Instrumental Variable Approach
Using an instrumental variable technique, the authors estimate the impact of online versus face-to-face course delivery on student course performance, as indicated by course persistence and final course grade.
What We Know About Nonacademic Student Supports
This practitioner packet summarizes the research on nonacademic student supports and suggests ways to implement a system of nonacademic supports that will have more sustained impacts on student success.
Envisioning Performance Funding Impacts: The Espoused Theories of Action for State Higher Education Performance Funding in Three States
This study reviews the theories of action that advocates of performance funding have espoused for higher education in three states that are leaders in performance funding: Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Book Review: "Higher Education in the Digital Age"
Melinda Mechur Karp reviews Higher Education in the Digital Age and argues that the author ignores the potential stratifying effects of online learning in higher education.
Enhancing Rigor in Developmental Education
This issue of Inside Out describes how community college faculty are working to increase rigor within reformed developmental education classrooms.
Trends in Enrollment Patterns Among Community College Students
This publication examines the diversity of enrollment patterns among community college students and demonstrates a novel graphical technique for displaying large numbers of enrollment patterns.
Performance Funding for Higher Education: What Are the Mechanisms? What Are the Impacts?
This monograph reviews the national and state literature on the forms and impacts of performance funding, and it includes policy recommendations and suggestions for further research.
A Contextualized Curricular Supplement for Developmental Reading and Writing
This journal article describes two experiments conducted with developmental students that investigated the impact of a contextualized intervention focused on written summarization and other reading and writing skills.
The Economic Benefits of Attaining an Associate Degree Before Transfer: Evidence From North Carolina
Using data on credit accumulation, award receipt, and earnings, this paper examines whether it is better for students to earn an associate degree before transferring to a four-year college.
Improving Students' College Math Readiness: A Review of the Evidence on Postsecondary Interventions and Reforms
This CAPSEE working paper reviews current research on the effectiveness of interventions and reforms that seek to improve the math preparedness and success of high school students entering college.
Strengthening Developmental Education Reforms: Evidence on Implementation Efforts From the Scaling Innovation Project
Drawing on a scan of remedial reform efforts and fieldwork at 11 colleges, this paper examines trends in reform implementation and provides a framework for strengthening reform efforts and institutional capacity.
Literacy Skills Among Academically Underprepared Students
This article reviews studies published from 2000 to 2012 on the literacy skills of underprepared postsecondary students and identifies reading and writing processes that have been overlooked in the literature.
Introduction to Special Issue of Community College Review: Skills and Trajectories of Developmental Learners
This introduction summarizes the purpose and key findings of the four articles in a special edition of the Community College Review.
Timing of Concentration, Completion, and Exit in Community Colleges
This publication compares how long it takes students to reach important progression milestones based on their level of academic readiness upon entry.
The Opposing Forces That Shape Developmental Education: Assessment, Placement, and Progression at CUNY Community Colleges
Based on a case study of the City University of New York's six community colleges, this publication identifies the conflicting motivations that shape developmental education reform efforts.