TC Panel Says Two Year Universities Must Do More Than Offer Access
It's not enough for community colleges to provide entry to higher education for millions of underserved Americans each year. They must do more to ensure that students successfully exit the two-year programs with an associate degree in hand and a positive future beckoning.
During a seminar earlier this month at the Community College Research Center at Teachers College, Columbia University, community college leaders, researchers and advocates discussed their efforts to address that issue.
"Community colleges clearly are the gateway to opportunity, especially for first-generation college students, until you look at the dropout rates," says Michael Rebell, the executive director of the newly established Campaign for Educational Equity at Teachers College. Rebell says the nationwide community college dropout trend not only negatively impacts students' lives but undermines the U.S. economy.
This article, written by Ann Farmer, appeared in the April 25th, 2006 online publication of Community College Week.
Published Tuesday, Apr. 25, 2006