Student Success:

Student Success:Reclaiming the American Dream

Richard M. Rhodes, Ph.D.President/CEO Austin Community College District

The Student’s Dilemma

Recommendations for Reimaginingthe Community College: The Three Rs

Redesign students’ educational experiences.

Reinvent institutional roles.

Reset the system to create incentives for student and institutional success.

Increase completion rates of students earning community college credentials (certificates and associate degrees) by 50% by 2020, while preserving access, enhancing quality, and eradicating attainment gaps associated with income, race, ethnicity, and gender.

Recommendation 1

Dramatically improve college readiness: By 2020, reduce by half the numbers of students entering college unprepared for rigorous college-level work, and double the number of students who complete developmental education programs and progress to successful completion of related freshman-level courses.

Recommendation 2

Close the American skills gaps by sharply focusing career and technical education on preparing students with the knowledge and skills required for existing and future jobs in regional and global economies.

Recommendation 3

Refocus the community college mission and redefine institutional roles to meet 21st-century education and employment needs.

Recommendation 4

Invest in support structures to serve multiple community colleges through collaboration among institutions and with partners in philanthropy, government, and the private sector.

Recommendation 5

Target public and private investments strategically to create new incentives for all institutions of education and their students and to support community college efforts to reclaim the American Dream.

Recommendation 6

Implement policies and practices that promote rigor, transparency, and accountability for results in community colleges.

Recommendation 7

What can we do?

What can we do to increase college readiness?

What can we do?

Early Assessment College ConnectionsGateway to CollegeDual CreditEarly College High Schools

How Can We Give Students the Tools They Need to Succeed in

College

What Can We Do?

Mandatory OrientationCollege Success CourseIntrusive AdvisingContinuous communication …Their way

How can we accelerate student’s progress into and through college-

level courses?

What can we do?

Limit number of courses in DE sequenceIntegrated CoursesSupplemental InstructionMath Emporiums

How Can We Ensure that Students Stay on the Pathway to Completion?

What can we do?Early decision on program of studyEarly alert systemsDegree auditsMappingMentorsFaculty advisingFaculty/Student engagement………

Relationships

How can we provide incentives for completion before transfer?

What can we do?

The Florida modelThe WGU/ACC partnershipArticulation agreementsState policyProvide pathways to completion and beyond

How should our performance be measured?

Outcomes-based Funding ProposalFunding equal to 10% of the base enrollment formula funds be allocated under the outcomes-based methodology in each year of the biennium.

Momentum Points MetricDevelopmental Education (math, reading, and writing)Gateway Courses (first college level math and English course)College Credit Hour Attainment (15, 30, and core completion)Credentials Awarded (certificate, degree, apprenticeship)Transfer to Four Year Institution (after completing 15 hours at CC)

The Reimagined Community CollegeGenuinely welcomes student upon entryPrepares student for individualized assessmentsProvides just-in-time information, including orientationProvides correct level of advisementProvides instruction in skills needed to be successfulPromotes early selection of program-of-studyPromotes active learningPromotes student-student and faculty-student interactionProvides stacked programs leading to meaningful certificates/degreesGuides and supports students through pathway(s) to completionPromotes culture of evidence-based inquiry

They’re Counting on us!

Thank You!