Contents - Association of Community College Trustees Promise T… · • The College Promise...

supporting thecollegepromise

“Forty percent of our college students choose community college. Some are young and starting out. Some are older and looking for a better job.

Some are veterans and single parents trying to transition back into the job market. Whoever you are, this plan is your chance to graduate ready for

the new economy, without a load of debt.”

President Barack Obama, 2015 State of the Union

Contents• TalkingPointsforPublicComment

• TalkingPointsforAdvocacyEfforts

• ResolutioninSupportofAmerica’sCollegePromise

• SamplePressRelease

• SampleOpinion-Editorial

• SocialMediaInformation

• FrequentlyAskedQuestions

• ContactInformation

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the College promise Campaign (CpC or Campaign) was born to build widespread support for universal community college programs throughout the nation to ensure that our students have the tools and services they need to succeed. Actively supporting the Campaign and promoting the notion of universal community college allows you to engage in the national dialog about the importance of community colleges to the future of the country.

AACC and ACCt are proud to serve on the national advisory board and support the College promise Campaign (CpC). CpC is run by Civic nation and led by Martha J. Kanter, ph.D., former united states undersecretary of education and community college administrator. the Campaign will be chaired by Dr. Jill Biden and former Wyoming governor Jim geringer will serve as Vice Chair. CpC will be run by a national advisory board of leaders from business, philanthropy, higher education, student, labor, and non-profit communities.

this toolkit is designed to help you participate in the College promise Campaign.

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How to Contribute to the College Promise Campaign Conversation

Knowthefacts.Seetheattachedtalkingpointsthatexplaintheproposaldesign,goals,andpointsofdiscussion.

understandtherelevantlocal,state,andfederal“Promise”legislationandtheirramificationsforAmerica’sstudentsandfamilies.

AdoptanddisseminateapublicresolutioninsupportoftheCollegePromiseCampaignand/orforincreasedpublicandprivatesupportforournation’scommunitycolleges.

Reachouttothepublic—newsoutlets,yourcommunity,businesses,nonprofits,foundations,colleagues,andstudents—withanewsreleasethatexplainstheproposalandwhyitmustbediscussednow.

Engagewithsocialmedia.EngageintheconversationabouttheCollegePromiseCampaignviacollegeandpersonalaccounts.Don’tbeshyaboutreachingouttolegislators,journalists,businessleaders,andotherinfluencers—andencourageyourcampuscommunitytodothesame.SampletweetsforTwitterandFacebookpostsareincludedhere.Encourageyourcollege’ssocialmediagurustouseallavailablechannels,includingFacebook,Twitter,Instagram,YouTube,Pinterest,andothers.(Pleaseseepage12forsuggestedsocialmediaposts.)

Makesuretoengageusinyoursocialmediacampaign.PleasecopyACCTandAACCinyoursocialmediabyincluding@comm_collegeand@cctrusteesinyourposts.

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Talking Points for Public Comment

About the College Promise Campaign• Making2yearsofcollegeuniversalforallAmericanswasinitiallyproposedina1947

reporttou.S.PresidentharryS.Truman,(Higher Education for American Democracy).In2014,TennesseegovernorBillhaslamandu.S.PresidentBarackObamaintroducedTheTennesseePromiseandAmerica’sCollegePromiserespectively,proposalstomake2yearsofcommunitycollegeeducationfreetoallqualifyingstudents.TheCollegePromiseCampaignwasinspiredbythesetwoinitiatives(onestateandonefederal)whichpayfor2yearsofcommunitycollegetuition,buttheCampaignisnotdesignedtopromoteanysingleapproach.Infact,boththestateandfederalproposalswerestimulatedbymanysuccessfulearlierpublicandprivateeffortsfromaroundthecountry,forexample,theKalamazooPromise,theTulsaPromise,thelongBeachPromise,theMiami-DadePromise,andmanyothers.

• TheCampaign’seffortfocusesonamplifyingattainment—studentscompletinghighschoolandgraduatingfromcollegewiththeircertificatesanddegrees.Whilestartingcollegeiscritical,everystateandournationasawholeneedstoprioritizetheimportanceoffinishinghighschoolandcollege—seekinginputfromstate,regional,andcommunitystakeholderstoincorporateprovenmethodsthatworktoachievehighschoolandcollegegraduation.

• TheCollegePromiseCampaignseekstomake2yearsofcommunitycollegedebt-freeforqualifyingfirst-timestudents.

• TheCollegePromiseCampaignisanationalmovementthatseekstobuilduponthevarietyofPromiseinitiativesthroughoutAmericaandtoharnessthebestmodelstoenablestatesandthefederalgovernmenttosustainthePromiseforthecurrentandfuturegenerationsofstudents.

College Promise Campaign Goals• Make2yearsofcollegeasdebt-freeanduniversalashighschool

• EnhancestudentresponsibilityandcutcostofcollegeforallAmericans

• helpbuildhigh-qualitycommunitycolleges

• Improve2-to-4-yearinstitutiontransferprocessesandoutcomes

• Ensurestatesshareresponsibilityforeducatingcitizens

• Expandtechnicaltrainingformiddle-classjobs

• Buildonlocal,state,andnationalprogramsthatsupportcollegeaccess,academicpersistence,andcompletion

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Support for the College Promise Campaign• DiminishedstateandfederalsupportforcommunitycollegessincethegreatRecession

haschallengedourinstitutions’capacitytomakegoodonthepromiseofahigh-quality,affordablecommunitycollegeeducationforalleligiblestudents.

• TheCollegePromiseCampaignproposalidentifiescommunitycollegesasworthyofsignificantlocal,state,andfederalinvestmentswhileatthesametimerequiringthatparticipatingcommunitiesandstatesincreaseandsustainsupportfortheirlocalcommunitycolleges.

• Theproposalwouldenhanceaccessibilitytohighereducationformanywhothinkitisoutofreach.

• Thefinancialassistancewouldallowmanystudentstoborrowless,andenablethemtopersistatafasterrate.

• A2014studybyEconomicModelingSpecialists,Intl.(EMSI)revealedthat“foreverydollarthatfederal,state,andlocaltaxpayersspentonAmerica’scommunitycollegesin2012,societyasawholewillreceiveacumulativevalueof$25.90inbenefits,foraslongasthecolleges’2012studentsremainactiveintheu.S.workforce.”

Support for LegislationEnactmentoffederal,state,andlocalproposalstofullyfundcommunitycollegetuitionandfeesacrossournationwouldalsoencouragestudentswhootherwisewouldnotenrollincommunitycollege,oranycollege,toaspiretodoso.Establishingthisprogramcouldultimatelymakeacollegeeducationasuniversallyvaluedasahighschooleducationwas50yearsago.

TheresourcesproposedfortheAmerica’sCollegePromiseActof2015areproportionatetoitspotentialimpactandcurrentfederaleducationexpenditures.Onaverage,theprogramwouldrepresentlessthan10%oftheannualbudgetoftheu.S.DepartmentofEducation(ED),whichcompriseslessthan3%ofallannualfederalexpenditures.Makingcommunitycollegeeducationsignificantlymoreaffordableisanappropriatefederalpriority,andconsistentwiththeexistingfederalstudentaidprograms.

CongressshouldconstructivelyengageinaconversationregardingtheAmerica’sCollegePromiseproposal,andtheroleofcommunitycollegesinsupportingeducationalattainmentaswellasaccesstohighereducation.Communitycollegestudentsneedanddeservefurthersupport.Theproposaliscomplexandfar-reaching,andmanyofitsdetailshavenotbeenreleased,butthereareavarietyof‘promise’modelstoconsiderinabi-partisanefforttokeepcollegewithinreachforthemiddleclass.

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Inorderforanyprogramofthisnaturetobeeffective,legislationshouldhavethefollowingcharacteristics:

• Financingmustberealisticandreliable.Theprogramcannotsucceedifitsresourcesaresubjecttosignificantfluctuation.Stablefederalfinancingalsowillbenecessarytodrawstatepartners.

• Programeligibility/participationmustalsobestable.Intheabsenceofthispredictability,studentsandinstitutionswillnotbeabletoadequatelyplanfortheireducation.

• TheproposedAmerica’sCollegePromiseActof2015wouldbe“firstdollar,”reducingtuitionandallowingstudentstousefederalstudentfinancialaidandotherstudentaidtocoverthecostsofbooks,supplies,equipment,transportation,andlivingexpenses.SomeotherCollegePromiseprograms,suchastheTennesseePromise,arenot“firstdollar,”butneverthelessprovideadditionalsupporttocommunitycollegestudentswhoneedit.“Don’tthrowthebabyoutwiththebathwater”;supportCollegePromiseprogramsthatsupportaccesstohighereducationthroughcommunitycolleges.

• Clearstandardsforprogrameligibilityareessential.Thelegislationshouldincludeaccuratemeasurementsofcommunitycollegeperformance,whichcurrentlyarelackinginfederallaw,andensurethatthesearealsoincorporatedintotheReauthorizationofthehigherEducationAct.

• Someportionofprogramfundsshouldbemadeavailabletocommunitycollegestoprovideservicestohelpstudentssucceed.Thisincludesacademiccounseling,advising,mentoring,andessentialstudentsupport.

• TheAmerica’sCollegePromiseActof2015requiresstatestomaintaincurrentlevelsoffundingforhighereducationandstudentfinancialaidprograms.

• Currentstandardsofsatisfactoryacademicprogressshouldbeappliedtotheprogramtoestablishconsistencyforstudents,instructors,studentaffairsprofessionals,andotherprogramadministrators.

• useallresourcesavailabletoyou.Talkwithyourfederal,state,andlocalelectedofficialsabouttheimportanceofCollegePromiseprograms,andencouragethemtosupportthefederalAmerica’sCollegePromiseActof2015,aswellasanystate-,community-,orinstitution-specificproposalstomakecommunitycollegetuitionuniversallyavailable.

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Sample Resolution

Resolution

Support for Increased Public Investment in Community College

WHEREAS, community colleges are the largest group of higher education institutions in the United States,educatingmorethan46%ofallundergraduatestudentsandmorethan5millionadditionalnon-creditstudents;and

WHEREAS,itisanationalpriority—infactamoral,social,andeconomicimperative—toimprovethenumbersandpercentagesofAmericancollegegraduates;and

WHEREAS,theaccumulatedcontributionofformercommunitycollegestudentsemployedintheu.S.workforcein2012contributed$809billioninincome—5.4%ofthegrossDomesticProduct—tothenationaleconomy;and

WHEREAS,anestimated60%ofjobopeningswillrequireatleastanassociatedegreeorhigherby2020;and

WHEREAS,theaverageannualinternalrateofreturnforthenation’staxpayers’investmentsincommunitycollegesis14.3%;and

WHEREAS,momentumisgrowingincommunitiesandstatestosupporttheprincipleofthefirsttwoyearsoftuitionanddebt-freehighereducation;and

WHEREAS,theTennesseePromise,America’sCollegePromise,andrelatedCollegePromiseinitiativesunderwayacrossournationrecognizethatcommunitycollegesareintegraltoAmerica’sprosperity,andtheneedforgreaterpublicsupporttoprovidemillionsofgraduatesforawell-educatedworkforceeachyear;and

WHEREAS,thenationalAssociationofCommunityCollegeTrusteesstronglysupportstheCollegePromiseCampaigntofosterthenationalconversationandadvancepublicunderstandingaboutthecentralityofcommunitycollegestothenation’swell-beingandthefutureofourdemocracyinthe21stcentury;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,thatWe,theBoardofTrusteesofOurCommunityCollegeDistrict,OurState,doherebyformallysupporttheCollegePromiseCampaign,whichcallsforincreasedpublicinvestmentincommunitycollegesatthelocal,state,andfederalleveltoincreasesuccessforAmerica’sstudentsandfamiliesforgenerationstocome.

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Sample Press Release 1

ABC Community College Lauds ‘Conversation Starting’ America’s College Promise ‘Free Community College’ proposal focuses national spotlight on the true value of community college.

WAShIngTOn—Today,theABCCommunityCollegeBoardofTrusteesissuedaresolutionsupportingPresidentObama’sAmerica’sCollegePromiseproposal,whichproposestomakethefirsttwoyearsofcollege“asfreeanduniversalashighschool.”Intheresolution,theboard“formallysupportssupportinitiativessuchasAmerica’sCollegePromise,whichcallforincreasedpublicinvestmentincommunitycolleges.”

“America’sCollegePromisehasignitedanunprecedentedand,frankly,overdueconversationabouttheroleofcommunitycollegesinournation’seducationsystemandworkforce,”saidJaneDoe,thechairoftheABCboardoftrustees.

Thepresident’sproposalguaranteesthattwoyearsoftuition-freecollegeeducationwouldbegrantedtoallqualifyingstudents.Amongthequalifications,studentsmustmaintainagrade-pointaverageofatleast2.5,beenrolledinaqualifyingacademicorworkforce-trainingprogram,andbelongtoahouseholdearninglessthan$200,000annually.Inaddition,theprogramrequiresthatanyparticipatingcommunitycollegemustimplementpromisingandevidence-basedreformstosupportstudentsuccess,andthatstatesmust‘paytoplay,”contributingapproximatelyone-forthofthecostofstudenttuitionandfees.

Theestimatedfederalbudgetfortheprogramis$63billionover10years,whichsomesayistooexpensiveinthewakeofthegreatRecession.ABCCollegePresidentJohnSmithpointstoevidenceshowingtherealvalueofcommunitycolleges.

“Inrecentyears,ourstatehasreducedfundingforthecollegeXXpercent,”saidPresidentSmith.“granted,thepricetagformakingtwoyearsofcollegefreeisabigone,butwhenwelookatitasaninvestmentratherthanapayout,theevidencestronglysupportstheidea.”

A2014reportfromEconomicModelingSpecialists,Inc.statedthat“taxpayersfullyrecoverthecostoftheoriginalinvestment[incommunitycolleges]andalsoreceiveareturnof$5.80inadditiontoeverydollartheypaid.Theaverageannualinternalrateofreturnfortaxpayersis14.3percent.”

Whenconfrontedwiththecosts,ChairDoeremindsthoseagainsttheproposalthatpublicK-12educationwasforalongtimeregardedastooexpensive,“andwherewouldourcountrybetodaywithoutpublicschoolsavailabletoeverychild?”sheasks.“AndwherecouldwebeifeveryAmericanhadaccesstotwomoreyearsofeducationinthesameway?”

TheABCCommunityCollegeBoardofTrusteesResolutioncanbefoundhere[insertlink].

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Sample Press Release 2

ABC Community College Joins College Promise Campaign Universal Community College is Key to the Success of the Nation

headsup,XXXXXXX.ThankstoXXXXXXcommunitycolleges,millionsofAmericans—ofallagesandbackgrounds—aregettingafirst-rate,affordableeducationthatequipsthemwiththeskillstoattainagood-payingjob,transitiontoafour-yearinstitution,advanceintheircurrentcareers,andmoveintothemiddleclass.

XXXXXXCollegeisproudtojointheheadsup,America!Campaigninsupportofuniversalcommunitycollegeforresponsiblestudents.PresidentObamanotedinhisStateoftheunionaddressthatcommunitycollegesareavitalpathwaytothemiddleclassformanyAmericans.headsup,Americabuildsawarenessoftheimportanceofobtaininghighereducationinordertobesuccessfulinthe21st-centuryjobmarketandthesuccessofCollegePromiseprogramsthroughoutthenation.

“Withthespotlightoncommunitycollegesatthefederallevel,itiscriticalthatwespreadthewordabouthowfinancescreateahugebarrierformanystudents,”saidXXXXXXXX.“CollegePromiseprogramsaresuccessfulinmanystatesandwebelievetheywillbesuccessfulhereforstudentsthatarewillingtoearnaneducation.”

CollegePromiseprogramswouldhelpthefullrangeofstudentsatcommunitiesandthenation.AreportbytheAmericanAssociationofCommunityColleges(AACC)foundtwo-yearcollegescontributed$809billioninaddedincometotheu.S.economyin2012,whichisequalto5.4percentofthegrossdomesticproduct.

“Communitycollegesofferpathwaystoeconomicsuccess–andhopeforthefuture–tolower-incomestudents,first-generationcollege-goers,minoritystudents,veterans,singleparents,andanyonelookingtoadvancetheirskills,”saysXXXXXCollegePresident.“CollegePromiseprogramswilleliminatethefinancialbarriersfacingstudentsandallowthemtofocusoneducationandnotonloomingstudentdebt.”

Accordingtoanationalstudy,ascommunitycollegegraduatesmoveintohigher-payingjobstheywillcontribute$285.7billioninincreasedtaxrevenueandwillsavetaxpayers$19.2billionindecreasedsocialandsafetynetserviceswhileexperiencingbetterhealthandlowercrimerates.“Thisisaninvestmentthatwillpayoffforthestudents,thelocaleconomy,andourlocalbusinesses,”XXXXXPresidentstated.“Itistrulyawin-winandweareproudtobeapartofit.”

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Sample Opinion-Editorial (Published in Roll Call, February 4, 2015)

America’s Community Colleges:PresidentBarackObamaremindedusinhisStateoftheunionaddress,“Americathrivedinthe20thcenturybecausewemadehighschoolfree,sentagenerationofgIstocollege,andtrainedthebestworkforceintheworld.Butina21stcenturyeconomythatrewardsknowledgelikeneverbefore,weneedtodomore.”heunveiledaplanforfreecommunitycollegeeducation.

Withthesewords,andMonday’sfederalbudgetrelease,thepresidentispresentingCongresswithanunprecedentedopportunitytosolvemanyofournation’sgreatestchallenges—alackofaffordablehighereducation,stagnantwages,stubbornpocketsofpovertyandfierceglobaleconomiccompetition.Wewelcomethedebatearoundpotentialpolicyoptionsthatissuretofollowthereleaseofthebudget,butit’sclearnowthekeystounlockeconomicgrowththrougheducationarenowfirmlyinthehandsofCongress.Asleadersofthenation’scommunitycollegecampuses,trustees,policyadvisersandadvocates,weallstandreadytoworkwithoneanotherandwithCongresstomakethispromiseareality.

Ourstudentsoftencomefromfamiliesandcommunitiesonthelosingsideofthecountry’sexpandingeconomicinequality.Millionsarepricedoutofcollege,ortakingondebtthatwilldragthemdownfordecades.Asmission-drivennot-for-profits,weofferthebestvalueinhighereducation,andwehavefoughtagainsttheoddstokeepourtuitionandfeeslow.Ouraverageannualcosttostudentsis$3,264,comparedto$8,893forapublicfour-yearcollegeand$30,090foraprivatefour-yearcollege.Butstudentsstillhavetopayrent,usetransportation,buybooks,feedthemselvesand,often,theirchildren.

let’srememberthatthenearly14millioncommunitycollegestudentsarered,blueandindependents.Theyareoldandyoung.Theyareblack,white,latinoandAsian—theverymosaicofoursociety.Ourstudentsarediverse,buttheyareallstrivingtoobtainskillsforgoodjobs,launchafour-yeardegree,andtoachieveeconomicsecurityforthemselvesandtheirfamilies.Buttheirdemandisoutpacingwhatwecansupply.

Thisproposal,withthefederaldollarstobackit,offerstheadditionalsupportweneedtoexpandourunderfundedsystem.Withopendoorstoall,weare1,200collegesstrong,incities,suburbsandruralareasnationwide.OurleadershaveworkedsuccessfullyfordecadeswithbothRepublicanandDemocraticadministrations,aswellasmanyfor-profitinstitutions.Asmembersoflocalcommunitiesineverystateinthenation,communitycollegesknowaboutcollaboration.

Byfundingcommunitycollegeeducation,Congresscanmakeoneofthemostprofitableinvestmentsinthenationaleconomy.Thebusinesscommunityisclamoringforabettereducatedworkforce.Itisestimatedasmanyas3millionjobopeningsintheu.S.gounfilledformonthsonend,asroughlyhalfofemployersnowsaytheyarehavingahardtimefindingqualifiedworkerstohire,particularlyintechnicalfields.Communitycollegesprovidestudents

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withthenecessarytrainingtofillthatgap.Arecentstudyfoundthatonanindividuallevel,every$1astudentinvestsinhisorhercommunitycollegeeducationyields,onaverage,areturnoninvestmentof$3.80.Butfortaxpayers,theROIperdollarisevenbetter:$6.80overthecourseofstudents’workinglives.

Considerthatwiththeunsustainableescalationoftuition,ournationhasamassed$1trillioninstudentloandebt—andmanyendupdefaulting.Everydollarweinvestnowisonewedon’thavetopaylater—particularlywhenAmericansarewithouttheskillstheyneed,unemployed,orworkingforsuchlowwagesthattheyareforcedtodependonsocialservices.Communitycollegegraduatesearn20percentmorethantheirpeerswithhighschooldiplomas.Weapplaudthepresident’ssuggestionforsharingtheburden—studentsdotheirpartthroughmaintainingsolidgrades,andtheStateandFederalgovernmentsusethepeople’smoneytocreatemoregraduates,well-paidworkersandcontributingtaxpayers.

The78thu.S.CongresspassedthegIBill,creatingthecatalystforthegreatesteconomicexpansioninournation’shistoryandconstructingamiddleclassthattheworldwouldenvy.Themembersofthe114thCongresscangodowninhistoryhavingopenedthedoorsofopportunitytotheAmericanpeople.Weask,respectfully,thatCongressseizethissignificantmomenttofulfillAmerica’sCollegePromise.

Authors: Walter G. Bumphus is president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges, the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges. J. Noah Brown is president and CEO of Association of Community College Trustees, a non-profit educational organization representing the trustees who govern community, technical and junior colleges in the U.S. and beyond. Gerardo de los Santos is president and CEO of the League for Innovation in the Community College, an international organization serving community colleges. Evelyn Waiwaiole is director of Center for Community College. Student Engagement, a research and service initiative dedicated to providing important information about effective educational practice in community colleges. Rod Risley is executive director and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society serving to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students. William Trueheart is president and CEO of Achieving the Dream, the national reform network dedicated to helping community college students succeed.

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Sample Social Media Postings

Sample Posts@CCTrustees&other#CommCollegeleadersurgeCongresstosupport#CollegeOpportunityforall.#headsupamerica[InCluDElInKTOYOuRPRESSRElEASE/RESOluTIOn/STORY]

#headsupamericaisasmartinvestment.Readtoday’scommentarycallingCongresstoactionon

#CommunityCollege.[InCluDElInKTOYOuROP-ED]

Withtherisingcostsofhighereducation,theneedfor#CommunityCollegegrows.Support#headsupamerica.

Read[InSERTYOuRCOllEgE’STWITTERhAnDlE]’sboardoftrusteesresolutionon#headsupamerica[InCluDElInKTOYOuRRESOluTIOn]#CommunityCollege

A Few Tips• Remembertousehashtagssothatotherssearchingforthetopicsyou’rewritingabout

willbeabletofindyourcomments.use#CommunityCollege,#headsupamerica,#CollegeOpportunity#CommunityCollegeand#FreeCommunityCollegetobepartofthemovementonsocialmedia.Pleasenotethat#headsupamericaisthehashtagusedbytheCollegePromiseCampaign.

• locateindividualsandorganizationsyouwanttoinfluenceonTwitterandFacebook,followthem,andmakesureyoutagtheminyourmessagestogettheirattention.Thesecanincludeelectedofficialsandotherpolicymakers,thoughtandopinionleaders,journalists,andanyoneelsewhoneedstohearyourmessage.

• YoucantelltheWhitehouseandDepartmentsofEducationandlaborwhatyouthinkdirectlythroughTwitter.Someusefultagsinclude@Whitehouse@BarackObama@JamesKvaal@DrBiden@uSEdgov@ArneDuncan@EdunderSec@uSDOl@laborSec

• MembersofCongressdon’tfollowanyspecificTwitterhandleformula,solookupyourrepresentativesviatheirofficialwebsitesorbysearchingTwitter.(Becarefultofollowandtagofficialprofiles.)

• Includeinfographics,photos,andotherattention-gettingattachmentswhenpossible(butonlywhenrelevanttoyourcommunications).

• Tagus@Comm_Collegeand@CCTrusteessowedon’tmissyourmessages!(FeelfreetosendusquestionsviaTwitter,too.)

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College Promise Campaign OverviewInthe21stcentury,ahighschooldiplomaisnolongerenoughtoleadAmericanstoagoodjobanddecentqualityoflife.TheCollegePromiseCampaign(CPCortheCampaign)isanational,nonpartisan,local,andstate-ledhighereducationinitiative—beginninginAmerica’scommunitycolleges.TheCampaignwillbuildwidespreadsupportforafreecommunitycollegeeducationforallresponsiblestudentsandbroadpublicunderstandingthatafreecommunitycollegeeducationisaninvestmentinAmerica’sfutureandanecessarycontinuationofK-12education.

TheCollegePromiseCampaignwasinspiredbygovernorhaslam’sTennesseePromiseproposalandPresidentObama’sAmerica’sCollegePromiseplan,buttheCampaignisnotdesignedtopromoteanysingleapproach.Itwillfocusonbuildingamovementaroundthebroadervisionofmakingthefirst2yearsofhighereducationfreeforallstudentswhoentercommunitycollege,workhard,andearntheircertificatesanddegrees.

Toaccomplishthesebroadgoals,theCampaignwilllaunchanationalpublicawarenesscampaignthatpromotesaccessandemphasizescommunitycollegecompletionbyencouragingcommunity,regional,andstatestakeholderstoincorporateprovenmethodsthatwork.TheCampaignwillleveragetheresultsofevidence-basedresearchtosupportinvestingintheCollegePromiseasitimplementsitsoutreach,field-building,communications,andpublicationplans.

Overa3-yearperiod,theCampaignwillpromotepublicpolicydevelopmentatthelocalandstatelevelstoincreaseCollegePromiseprogramsbenefittingcommunitycollegestudents;implementanationalcommunicationsanddigitalmediaplantoeducatestudents,familiesandpolicyleaders;engageinfield-buildingin11statestogalvanizelocalandstateleaderstotakeactiononthesegoals;buildthecampaigntoadd20additionalstatesinthesecondphaseoftheCampaign,andshowcaseCollegePromisemodelsandstrategiestoincreasecollegeaccessandcompletion.SuccesswillbemeasuredbytheeffectivenessoftheCampaignonstudent,institutionalandstateindicatorsthattrackCollegePromisesupportandadoptionlocallyandstatewide.

TheCollegePromiseCampaignislocatedwithinCivicnation,anon-profit,non-partisan501(c)(3)organizationfocusedonimplementingsensiblesolutionstoAmerica’smostpressingissues.

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FAQs

The following frequently asked questions are provided by Civic Nation. Please visit civic nation.org for more information.

What is the College Promise Campaign?Inthe21stcentury,ahighschooldiplomaisnolongerenoughtoleadAmericanstoagoodjobanddecentqualityoflife.TheCollegePromiseCampaign(CPCortheCampaign)isanational,nonpartisan,localandstate-ledhighereducationinitiative—beginninginAmerica’scommunitycolleges.TheCampaignwillbuildwidespreadsupportforafreecommunitycollegeeducationforallresponsiblestudentsandbroadpublicunderstandingthatafreecommunitycollegeeducationisaninvestmentinAmerica’sfutureandanecessarycontinuationofK-12education.

What is Civic Nation and why is the College Promise Campaign being spearheaded by this organization?Civicnationisacharitableandeducational501(c)(3)organization.Foundedin2015,Civicnationisorganizedtopromotesensiblepoliciestochallengesintheareasoffederal,state,andlocalpolicy.Civicnationeducatesthepublicaboutsuchpolicies,aboutpublicpolicyissuesarisingintheseareas,andforrelatedpurposes.Further,CivicnationisthelegalentitythathousesandsupportstheinfrastructurefortheCollegePromiseCampaign.nofederalorstatelobbyingisconductedbyCivicnationonbehalfoftheCollegePromiseCampaign.

Is the College Promise Campaign a federal or state-led effort?TheCampaignisalocalandstate-ledinitiative,inspiredbyTennesseegovernorBillhaslam’s(R)TennesseePromiseprogram,PresidentObama’s(D)America’sCollegePromiseproposal,themorethan59localCollegePromiseprogramsspreadacrossthecountry(e.g.,Kalamazoo,Miami,Chicago,longBeach,Tulsa,etc.),andtheAmerica’sCollegePromiseActof2015introducedbySenatorBaldwin(D-WI)andCongressmanBobbyScott(D-VA).

TheCampaignisnotdesignedtopromoteanysingleapproach,butseekstobuildamovementaroundthebroadervisionoftuitionanddebt-freecollegeeducationforthefirst2years,greaterstateandfederalinvestmentinhighereducation,andtheimperativetoincreasestudentaccessandsuccessinhighereducation.TheCampaignassistsstates,cities,towns,andcollegesthatwanttoimplementatuition-anddebt-freecollegeeducationforresponsiblestudentsbysharingfinancingstrategies,bestpractices,andcomplementaryeffortstohelpstudentssucceed,suchasmentoringandcounseling,reformingdevelopmentaleducation,communityservice,andotherprovenstrategies.

Inshort,theCampaigncollaborateswithfederal,state,andlocalleadersacrossthesectorsofeducation,business,government,philanthropy,students,labor,andnon-profitstodevelopandfosterCollegePromiseprograms.

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What if no federal legislation is passed by the United States Congress to support College Promise?InJuly2015theu.S.Senateandtheu.S.houseofRepresentativesintroducedtheAmerica’sCollegePromiseActof2015.ThislegislationiscurrentlybeingconsideredbyCongressandmostlikelywillbethesubjectofgreatdebateandundergoextensiverewrites,asistypicalofmostlegislativeproposals.Amendmentsand/ornewbillscouldbeintroducedinfuturesessionsofCongress.ThisisonereasonthattheCampaign’sgoalmaybeaccomplishedyearsdowntheroad.

TheCollegePromiseCampaignencouragesstatesandcommunitiestointroducetheirownCollegePromiselegislation.StatesandcommunitieshavetheuniqueopportunitytoidentifythewaysandmeanstoimplementCollegePromiselegislationtailoredtotheirparticularneeds.TheCampaignendorsesandassistsinthedevelopmentofCollegePromiseproposalsatfederal,state,andlocallevels.

Can states implement the College Promise Campaign without federal support?Yes.Asuccessfulexampleofafullystate-supportedversionofCollegePromiseistheTennesseePromiseprogram.Similarly,stateslikeOregon,Minnesota,Wyoming,andOklahomaimplementedorarecurrentlyinitiatingCollegePromiseprograms.WhilefederalsupportwouldsignificantlybolsteranyCollegePromisecampaign,statesandcommunitiescanmoveaheadwithoutfederalsupport.TheCollegePromiseCampaignwillstudymodelsofpromisingprogramsforreplicationandscaling.TheCollegePromiseCampaignwelcomesandencouragesdirectcollaborationwithstatesandlocalcommunitiestoinitiatetailoredCollegePromisecampaignsandspecificprograms,andtoeducatepolicymakersandthepublicalikeonthetremendousvalueinherentinsupportingtheCollegePromise.

What does “truly bi-partisan” mean in the context of this campaign?TheCollegePromiseCampaignisnon-partisan,meaningthatithasnoaffiliationwithorinvestmentinanypoliticalparty.TheCampaignisfocusedonsupportingCollegePromiseprogramsledbyelectedandappointedofficialsfromanyandallparties.BecausetheAmericanpoliticallandscapeisdominatedbytheDemocraticandRepublicanparties,theterm“bi-partisan”isusedtodenotecollaboration—oftenreferredtoas“workingacrosstheaisle”—onprojectsthatarevaluedandprioritizedbybothofthemajorpoliticalparties.TheCampaignalsowelcomescollaborationwithelectedofficialsfromotherpoliticalpartiesliketheTeaParty.universallyaccessibleeducationatalllevelsisanAmericanvaluethatisnotdividedbypartylines,andtheCollegePromiseCampaignexistsinthesamespirit.TheCampaignisledbyanationaladvisoryboardandbi-partisanhonoraryChairs,SecondladyoftheunitedStatesDr.JillBiden,arguablycommunitycolleges’greatestadvocate,andgovernorJimgeringer,whoinitiatedaCollegePromiseforthestateofWyomingandearnedadistinguishedcareerwhileservingtwotermsasWyoming’sgovernor.

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Could the College Promise become another unfunded mandate?TheCollegePromiseCampaignisbuildingonanationalvisiontoprovideafreecommunitycollegeeducationforstudentswillingtoworkhardandcompletetheircertificatesanddegrees.TheCampaignpromotesstrategiesforcommunitiesandstatestoadoptsustainablebudgetandallocationplans.Experienceshowsthatindifficulteconomictimes,electedofficialsfaceunforeseenchallengesandunintendedconsequences,butatthesametime,theycontinuetosupportpoliciesthathavesuccessfuloutcomes.TheCampaignisconfidentthatgovernmentleadersandtaxpayerswillbenefiteconomically,socially,andcivicallyfromabettereducatedsocietyandthattheywillbemorefavorablyinclinedtosupporttheCollegePromisebasedonpositiveresultsforthelong-termprosperityofournation.

Will the College Promise Campaign address education and income inequality?Communitycollegesalreadyreduceinequalityineducationandincomebyservingmorethan40%ofallundergraduatesintheu.S.atmorethan1,100communitycollegesthroughoutthenation.however,inthenext10years,morethan6outof10jobswillrequireemployeestohavemorethanahighschooldiploma,whiletodayonly40%ofuSadultsages25–64areadequatelypreparedfortheworkforce.TheCollegePromiseCampaign’sgoalistoincreaseaccesstohighereducationthroughfreecommunitycollegeforallresponsiblestudents.Becauselowincomestudentscomprisesuchalargeportionofthecommunitycollegepopulation,theCampaignisdesignedtoincreaseopportunitiesforlow-incomeandfirst-generationstudents,forwhomacollegeeducationmayseemotherwiseunattainable.

How will the College Promise be applied to Tribal Colleges and Minority-Serving Institutions in general?ThereareavarietyofCollegePromiseprogramsacrossthecountry.TheCampaignwillidentifystrategiesforcommunitiesandstatestoprovideafreecommunitycollegeeducationforallresponsiblestudents,specificallybyshowcasingdetailsfromsuccessfulCollegePromiseprogramssuchastheeligibilityrequirementsandevidence-basedstudentoutcomes.Wherecommunitiesandstateshavealreadytakenleadershiptoprovideafreecommunitycollegeeducationtotheirstudentswithorwithoutfederalfunding,theCampaignwillexaminetheirprogramincentivesandfundingmechanismstocommunicatethedetailsofthesemodelsforreplicationandscalingtootherregions,enablingmorestudentstobenefitfromtheCollegePromiseasthesemodelsarebetterunderstoodandadopted.

How and why were the initial host states selected?AgoaloftheinitialphaseoftheCollegePromiseCampaignistoimpactamanageablenumberofstatesservingatleasthalfofcommunitycollegestudents.Assuch,theCampaignidentifiedinitialhoststatesonthebasisofdemographicandgeographicdiversity,size,andvarianceinstatevs.localgovernanceauthority.ThespecificstatesthatwereselectedhavestronglocalandstateleaderswhowerereceptivetotheCollegePromiseconcept.TheCampaignisbynomeanslimitedtothesestatesandultimatelyintendstoreacheverystateinthecountry.WestronglyencourageindividualsfromanyandallstatesandcommunitiestojointheCampaign.

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Why aren’t 4-year colleges included in the College Promise Campaign?TheCollegePromiseCampaigngreatlyvalueshighereducation.Atthesametime,communityandtechnicalcollegesareinstitutionsthatfillauniquerolewithinAmericanhighereducation,andservenearlyhalfofthenation’sundergraduates.TheCampaignemphasizesthatCollegePromisestudentsareexpectedtopursueandearna2-yearcollegedegree,atechnicalcertificate,and/ortransfertoa4-yearuniversitybachelor’sdegreeprogram.

AnotherimportantreasontheCampaignisfocusedon2-yearcollegesisthattheseinstitutionsservealargenumberoffirst-generationandsocioeconomicallydisadvantagedstudents.AnexpectedoutcomeofCollegePromiseprogramsistoofferopportunitiestostudentswhootherwisemaynotreceivethem.TheCampaignseescommunitycollegesasgatewayinstitutionsthatadmitandsupportstudentswhoinmanycaseshaveatremendousnumberofobstaclespreventingthemfrompursuingorcompletinghighereducation,releasingthembackintotheworkforcewheretheycanmakeareallivingwagewiththeircollegecredentials,andhelpingthoseinterestedingettingonthetracktoattaininghigherlevelsofeducationatanaffordablecost.

TheCampaignunderscoresthatcommunitycollegesarethestartingpointformakingthefirst2yearsofacollegeeducationtuitionanddebt-free.SomeCollegePromiseprogramshavealreadyextendedtheirinitiativeto4-yearinstitutions.Communitiesandstatesareencouragedtoadoptthelargervisioniftheywish.

Inshort,theCollegePromisecampaignvaluesandsupportsalleducation,butidentifiescommunitycollegesasgatewayinstitutionsforhelpingthegreatestnumberoffirst-generationandotherwisedisadvantagedstudentsenrollandcompletetheircertificatesanddegrees.

What are the requirements for students to participate in College Promise Programs where available?TheCollegePromiseCampaigndoesnotsupportanyoneCollegePromiseplan.Acrossstates,cities,andcommunities,CollegePromiseprogramshavedifferenteligibilitycriteriaandrequirementsforstudents,withrespecttomaintainingaminimumgrade-pointaverage,levelofearnedincomethatqualifiesstudentsfromreceivingCollegePromisefinancialsupport,qualifyingacademicortechnicalprograms,andothercriteriauniquetoaparticularcommunity,stateorinstitution.InmostCollegePromiseprograms,studentsmustbeenrolledinanapprovedacademicortechnicalprogramatanaccreditedinstitutionofhighereducation.

What does the College Promise Campaign mean by “debt-free” education?ThevisionoftheCollegePromiseCampaignisthatallstudentsshouldhavetheopportunitytocomplete2yearsofhighereducationdebtfree.Specifically,thisreferstoearninganassociatedegree,acertification,ortransferringtoa4-yearbaccalaureateprogramatanotherinstitutionwithouthavingincurredanydebtfromloansorcredittakenoutspecificallytopayforcollegetuition,associatedfees,basiclivingexpenses,andtextbooks.

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Theterm“freecommunitycollege”hasbeenusedcolloquiallytorefertosomeCollegePromiseprograms.Itisimportanttounderstandthatthegoaloftheseprogramsistomake2yearsofhigh-qualityhighereducationuniversallyavailabletoallAmericansinthesamewaythatelementaryandsecondaryeducationareAmericanrights;it’sthatsimple.WebelievethatjustaseveryAmericanisexpectedtoearnahighschooldiploma,everyAmericanshouldhavetheopportunitytoearnacollegecredential.

What is the difference between first-dollar and last-dollar College Promise programs?First-dollarandlast-dollarprogramsrefertotwodistinctmethodsofdistributingfundingforCollegePromiseprograms.

Theterm“first-dollarprogram,”meansthatCollegePromisefundsareprovidedtostudentsfirst,orbeforeanyothergrantorawardedfunding.Bycontrast,theterm“last-dollarprogram”meansthatstudentswoulddrawuponanyavailablepublicfundingbeforebeingawardedCollegePromisefunds.Bothmodelsadministerfundstoeligiblestudentsthatcoverthedirectcostsofbeingastudent,suchastuitionandfees.

Ina”first-dollarprogram”,theamountofCollegePromisefundingawardedtoaneligiblestudentdoesnottakeintoaccountanyadditionalfundingorgrantsthatthestudentiseligiblefor,likeafederalPellgrant.Therefore,a“first-dollar”CollegePromiseprogramcoversthedirectcostsofbeingastudent,andhasthepotentialtoreducetheassociatedcoststhatcomewithbeingastudent,suchastransportation,childcare,schoolmaterials,andothercosts.

Ina“last-dollarprogram”,theamountofCollegePromisefundingawardedtoaneligiblestudenttakesintoaccountanyadditionalpublicfundingorgrantsthestudentiseligiblefor,likeafederalPellgrant.Thetotalamountof“last-dollar”CollegePromisefundingastudentreceivestocoverthedirectcostsofbeingastudentvariesdependingonotherpublicfundingforwhichthestudentiseligible.unlike“first-dollarprograms,”“last-dollarprograms”donothavethepotentialofreducingtheassociatedcoststhatcomewithbeingastudent,suchastransportation,childcare,schoolmaterials,andothercosts.

Is the College Promise separate from or related to the federal Pell Grant Program?CollegePromiseprogramsareentirelyseparatefromthefederalPellgrantProgram;however,asdescribedabove,differentCollegePromiseprogramdesignscanbeimpactedbyPellgrantsupport.SoalthoughPellgrantProgramfundingcansupplementordisplaceCollegePromisefunding,thetwoprogramsweredevelopedandareadministeredseparately.

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What is the timeline for the College Promise Campaign?TheCampaignisanticipatedtorunfor3years.ItofficiallystartsonSeptember9,2015,andendsonAugust31,2018,thoughitcouldrunlongerdependingontheneedsofcommunitiesandstates.

How will progress be tracked and reported?TheCampaignwillemployseveralmethodsfortrackingprogress,including:

“State of Free Community College in America” Report—TheCampaignwillproduceametrics-basedreportonthestateoffreecommunitycollegeacrossthecountrythatanalyzesthedepthofsupportfortheissue,intendedoutcomes,andprogresstowardtheCampaign’sgoals.Thiswillincludeananalysisofthefollowing:

• Currentlandscape:thenumberofstudentsreceivingtheCollegePromise.

• Analysisofstakeholdersupport:electedofficials,educationleaders,businessCEOs,etc.

• Analysisofforwardmomentum:communitiesandstatelegislaturestakingaction.

• Best-practiceCollegePromisemodels:accessandcompletionoutcomes,evidencefromindependentresearchers.

Campaign Activity Report—Every6months,theCampaignwilltrackandmeasurethesuccessofitsongoingactivities,maintainingqualitativeandquantitativereportsonvariousmetrics(e.g.,engagedleaders,roundtables,engagedkeyconstituency,presspublications,socialmediametrics,etc.).

What can I do at the local, state, and federal levels to realize the College Promise for all citizens?• TalkabouttheCollegePromisetoeveryoneyouarecloseto—shareyourpassionand

explainwhytheCollegePromisematterstostudents,familiesandthenation,andencouragethemtodothesame.

• Meetwith,call,andsendlettersproclaimingyoursupportoftheCollegePromiseCampaigntoyourfederal,state,andlocalelectedofficials.

• Talktobusinessleadersandletthemknowthatyourcommunityisfullofuntappedpotentialbecauseofsocioeconomicbarriers,andthatoffering2yearsofcollegetoeveryonewillfloodtheworkforcewithagreatersupplyofmorediverseandbetter-qualifiedworkers.

• WriteletterstoyourlocalnewspapereditorsandnewsproducersabouttheimportanceoftheCollegePromiseandhowkeepingitcouldtransformyourcommunitybyofferingeducationalopportunitytothosewhootherwisemaynotbeabletoaccessit.

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• Signupatwww.headsupAmerica.ustoparticipateintheCampaign’sawarenessandoutreacheffort.

• Visitwww.CollegePromiseCampaign.orgtolearnmoreandstayengagedwiththeCampaign.

• FollownewsandlocaldevelopmentsaboutCollegePromisecampaignsandsharetheinformationthroughsocialmedianetworkssuchasFacebook,Twitter,Instagram,andlinkedIn.FollowtheCampaignat#headsupamerica.

Who can I contact for more information?CollegePromiseCampaign1747PennsylvaniaAve.,nW,Suite230, Washington,DC,20006Collegepromise@civicnation.org

Visitwww.CollegePromiseCampaign.organdwww.headsupAmerica.ustolearnmoreabouttheCollegePromiseCampaignandforcontactinformationtojointhemovement!

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