How Expanding a Successful Program Supported Broader Institutional Change at Bronx Community College
Dec. 3, 2021
Community colleges across the country are engaging in large-scale, systemic change efforts that address multiple barriers to student success. This brief from the Community College Research Center describes one effort undertaken by Bronx Community College in which college leaders built on an existing initiative to scale the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) to catalyze a whole-college redesign.
English learners have tremendous potential but too often are held back from participating in college courses that lead to postsecondary degree completion and career success. This brief from Jobs for the Future explores the current state of dual enrollment participation for English learners, highlights promising practices, and provides recommendations for creating a more seamless transition between high school and…
The COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying economic downturn have had staggering effects on young adults. To address these challenges, this report from the Brookings Institution suggests expanding programs like AmeriCorps, YouthBuild, and conservation corps to put young people to work on a variety of socially useful activities: tutoring children, building affordable housing, assisting with disaster response, maintaining public infrastructure, and…
Research-Based Advice for Community College Administrators
Dec. 8, 2020
Millions of students leave college every year before earning a degree. At community colleges, only a third of full-time students graduate within three years. How can school administrators help students stay in school and eventually graduate? This brief from MDRC explores the potential of enhanced advising efforts to increase student success.
A federal grant program for community colleges that was initially created in response to the Great Recession may offer lessons on how schools can overcome the challenges of providing instruction during the pandemic, according to this report from New America.
Students with disabilities are more likely to experience financial hardships, mental health challenges, and food and housing insecurity as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, says a recent report by the Student Experience in the Research University.
A new report from Jobs for the Future calls for major changes to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to ensure that individuals experiencing poverty have access to the education and training they need to secure good jobs while also receiving essential supports for their families.
A new report from the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice summarizes the results of a pilot survey on the basic needs insecurity among instructors at five colleges and universities in fall 2019. The results show that 38 percent of nearly 550 respondents were experiencing food or housing insecurity before the current pandemic struck.
By themselves, colleges and universities cannot tackle all of the challenges facing students. They must collaborate with other organizations and state agencies to coordinate support and effectively communicate with students in need. Amid the global COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic recession, institutions must also provide emergency financial aid. State policymakers can help support institutions by…
Lessons From Two Decades of Research and Technical Assistance
Nov. 3, 2020
Colleges support students with advising, counseling, or coaching in academics and other skills they need to succeed in school. Some colleges enhance those services through reduced adviser caseloads and more comprehensive, frequent guidance, which can improve students’ semester-to-semester retention and average credits earned. A brief from MDRC describes important lessons on designing and implementing those services.
