College Completion

Partnering with six community colleges, MDRC developed and evaluated four distinct programs based on the following approaches: financial incentives, reforms in instructional practices, and enhancements in student services. (MDRC, March 2011)

Describes the Tennessee Technology Centers - a statewide system of 27 institutions providing a wide range of rigorous, one to two year, technical/occupational education programs at consistently high completion and placement rates in high skill and relatively high wage employment.

Study details ways that private institutions can relieve some of the enrollment burden on California's public, postsecondary education systems. Eight recommendations challenge state legislators to initiate targeted incentive funding for high demand majors, increasing enrollment and participating in articulation agreements.

Describes a new effort by UMass - Amherst to recruit community college graduates to the state university's flagship campus. Starting this fall, UMass will offer students who transfer from community colleges with a minimum 2.5 grade-point average priority course registration and housing, scholarships to cover hefty student fees, and special advising services. (Boston Globe, 03/22/11)

New strategic direction for Virginia Community College System

Story on Governor Kasich's budget proposal for higher education.

Article discusses role education technology companies are playing in providing "adaptive" developmental courses. (Inside Higher Ed, 03/10/11)

Article mentions a task force's recommendations that cover P-20 issues and include mandating a high school diploma or equivalency for everyone under age 21. The recommendations aim to better prepare students for success in college or careers. A final report is due to the legislature by April 1. (Anchorage Daily News, 03/10/11)

Powerpoint presentation outlining the Ohio college completion plan.

Michigan education board approved recommendations to improve education results, including graduating high school students ready for college without the need for remediation, and graduating college students with the necessary skills for successful careers. Recommendations also mention need to increase number of residents with postsecondary credential or degree. (Michigan Board of Education, February 2011)

Oregon's Senate education committee approved S.B. 253 that calls for seeing by 2025 that 40% of adult Oregonians have earned a bachelor's degree or higher, 40% an associate's degree or postsecondary credential and the remaining 20% at least a high school diploma. The bill would cement in law a state goal to dramatically raise the education levels of Oregonians. (Oregonian, 02/03/11)

Governor Dannel P. Malloy outlined a plan to merge Connecticut's two largest higher education systems - the state university system and the community colleges - and the state's online college under a single governing board, a proposal that he says will save millions. He also is recommending that state funding to these institutions be based on graduation rates and other outcomes. (Connecticut Mirror, 02/09/11) See Governor's Plan http://www.governor.ct.gov/malloy/cwp/view.asp?Q=473664&A=4010

Details efforts spearheaded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; initiatives highlighted include the Completion Innovation Challenge, Completion by Design; refers to using funds more effectively, efficiently.

Paper from CCRC identifying the elements of highly effective community colleges.

Identifies eight practices common among high-performance organizations: leadership, focus on the customer, functional alignment, process improvement, use of measurement, employee involvement and professional development, and external linkages. Recommends steps for community colleges to increase completion rates. (Center for Community College Research, Working Paper No. 24, January 2011)

Story on a proposal to review the funding model for higher education in North Dakota.

Paper on the history of performance based funding

Story on how West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the Department of Education have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to create a longitudinal data system.

Story on how the significant increase in community college enrollments will inevitably result in a wave of transfers to four-year institutions. The commentary suggests that institutions aren't ready and that public policy makers will be concerned

Annual report on key postsecondary indicators developed by SREB

Presidents of West Virginia's 10 community colleges signed a "completion agreement" and promised to push for an additional 16,000 residents to have a degree or professional certification by 2015. (Wheeling Intelligencer, 01/28/11)