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The college admissions scandal that has captured national media attention is a reflection of the pressure that parents and students from all income levels feel related to applying for college and financial aid. A second nationwide discussion is taking place related to student loan debt; a number of presidential candidates are discussing ideas for student loan forgiveness. Some states have offered free community college as a possible solution.
Free community college would allow students to save money for two years before transferring to a fouryear university. Living at home for the first two years of college would also add to students' and families' savings. This idea has the potential to help many students and families meet college costs and lower student debt. For this idea to have maximum impact, community colleges' daily operations need to be enhanced.
Numerous articles have been written about how traditional student success metrics are not properly considering community college dynamics. Common examples include some students not being academically prepared, part-time versus full-time trends, student desires, and the academic goals of students who just want to complete a course, not a degree. While these are valid, consider some additional realties.
Students Who Typically Benefit From Community College
♦ Good Standardized Test Takers: Students who test well on standardized examinations but want to save some money can have a positive experience at a community college. Some community colleges have expanded the types of evaluation methods they utilize to determine which students can start with college-level rather than remedial/developmental classes.
Although this is a positive step, standardized tests do take into consideration what academic advisors see on a regular basis. For example, it is common for STEM students to not like or excel in English or social science courses and for political science and psychology majors to dislike or struggle in math and natural science courses. In addition, numerous college-ready students do well in high school but do not score high on standardized exams. Students/Families Seeking University Partnerships: Many four-year institutions have worked closely with community college administrators to establish transfer agreements. It is common to hear about two-plus-two partnerships between community colleges and four-year institutions. In some cases, community colleges and local universities work so closely together that students sometimes take classes...