Topic: Community Colleges

Overview

Community Colleges
Pathways to Certificates, Degrees and the Workforce

Community colleges enroll almost half of U.S. undergrads. To help states  increase college completion, SREB serves states with data for two-year institutions, policy recommendations, and programs to smooth the transition from high school.

State goals to increase college completion and close achievement gaps depend, in large part, on public community colleges. They enroll almost half of U.S. undergraduate students and the vast majority of those least likely to earn a degree. Community colleges are affordable and accessible. And yet too few students complete degrees, certificates or transfers.

Students come to community college at many different stages in their lives, with different aims. They may enter directly from high school to earn an associate degree or credits toward a four-year degree, or as adults to change careers or complete a degree after years away from school.

Publication February 201545 pages(15C02)
Report cover: Community Colleges in the South

Community Colleges in the South: Strengthening Readiness and Pathways
Report of the SREB Commission on Community Colleges

The full report of SREB’s Community College Commission offers 21 recommendations for states and community colleges. It presents findings on readiness, placement, math standards and structurally guided pathways to help students clearly see entry, exit and re-entry points to continue their education. Recommendations ask states to commit increased funding and hold colleges accountable for improving student services and completion. The goal: increase college access and success so more students earn postsecondary credentials and enter careers in demand in their communities.

FULL REPORT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Blog post September 2015 Commission meeting

Part-Time Students = 38% of Undergrads
Affordability Commission focuses on needs of adult and part-time students

Part-time college students made up 38 percent of undergraduates in SREB states by 2013. Many part-time students work to pay their living expenses as well as tuition, and the more hours they work, the longer it takes them to finish, on average. Part-timers are eligible for less financial aid, and they tend to file later, missing early deadlines.