GettingPastGo

"The Importance of Minority-Serving Institutions January 16, 2012, 7:53 pm By Marybeth Gasman This past week the Institute for Higher Education Policy released a report titled The Role of Minority-Serving Institutions in National College Completion Goals. The report urges the nation to look closely at minority-serving institutions (MSI's) and their work with underrepresented minorities for clues on student learning and student success. It also emphasizes the role of MSI's in educating a disproportionate number of low-income and first-generation students. Nearly 98 percent of the black and Native American students who attend MSI's are eligible for need-based financial aid. Moreover, almost 50 percent of MSI students receive Pell Grants in comparison to all students. These students, according to countless research studies, are some of the most difficult to retain and graduate as they have less access to quality education and opportunities."

The study provides evidence on the potential efficacy of a contextualized intervention approach to helping students develop an important academic skill, written summarization. (Center for Community College Research, January 2012)

Summarizes states' efforts to provide information on success of K-12 students after high school, such as postsecondary enrollment, remediation, persistence and degree completion. (Data Quality Campaign, December 2011)

A framework for reform in higher education. Provides a vision for what higher education should be accountable for and suggests that the federal government play a strong role in that accountability

Discusses actions for state policymakers to take to strengthen their P-20 data systems to increase college and career readiness. (Data Quality Campaign, January 2012)

Outlines issues in a sample Collective Bargaining Agreement having to do with technology to include Distance Learning

Finds that remediation does little to develop students' skills. But the study also finds little evidence that it discourages initial enrollment or persistence, except for students mis-assigned to remediation. Instead, the primary effect of remediation appears to be that students take remedial courses instead of college-level courses. (Judith Scott-Clayton and Olga Rodriguez, National Bureau of Economic Research, August 2012) Link to Abstract http://papers.nber.org/papers/w18328?utm_campaign=ntw&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ntw

Finds that students who enrolled in a student success course in the first semester were more likely to earn college-level credits and were more likely to persist to the second year. Also finds that students referred to remedial education were more likely to earn college-level credits if they enrolled in a student success course in their first term. (Community College Research Center, February 2012)

Examines the validity of placement tests and high school information in predicting course grades and college performance. Finds that the ACCUPLACER and COMPASS placement tests do not yield strong predictions of how students will perform in college. In contrast, high school GPAs are useful for predicting many aspects of students' college performance. (Community College Research Center, February 2012)

Comments at 2008 NCSCBHEP conference on the impact of technology and distance education on instruction and intellectual property

Analyzes the predictive validity of commonly used placement assessments and finds that they are more predictive of success in math than in English, and more predictive of who is likely to do well in college-level coursework than of who is likely to fail. Also finds that using multiple measures could reduce remediation misplacements or rates. (Community College Research Center, February 2012))

Discusses the failures of the current college remediation policies and programs, offers suggestions to fully prepare students for college, and suggests that co-requisite and additional academic supports could help unprepared students succeed. Link provides access to Full Report, Executive Summary, Data Tables and State Profiles. (Complete College America, April 2012)

Instructions for developing Basic Skills Action and Expenditure Plan at California Community Colleges

Remedial courses fail to prepare students for college-level work, but the remedial track may serve other purposes, according to a new study. The research found that being placed into remediation is not as discouraging for students as conventional wisdom holds. Also, remedial courses' primary effect as a sorting mechanism for students shouldn't be overlooked. (Inside Higher Ed, 08/21/12)

A breakdown of allocations to California community colleges for basic skills instruction

Examines the experiences of Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia in developing statewide diagnostic assessments for course placement at their community colleges. Looks at the implications for California's community colleges, which have been charged with developing diagnostic exams. (EdSource and Learning Works, June 2012)

Urges policymakers to focus the mission of community colleges in three core areas: basic skills education, career technical education and preparation for transfer to four-year universities. The Commission called for shifting adult basic education from the state education department to the community college system, and for giving more authority to the chancellor to oversee the campuses. (Little Hoover Commission, February 2012) Link to executive summary: http://www.lhc.ca.gov/studies/210/Executive%20Summary.pdf

Review of the role of unions on governance in higher education

The annual report shows an increase in the percentage of students requiring remediation - possibly due to more students enrolling in college - but also higher retention rates for these students. The comprehensive report looks at remedial participation, success and cost, and also includes high school feedback reports. (Colorado Commission on Higher Education, February 2012)