Description
Book SynopsisIn
What Excellent Community Colleges Do, Joshua S. Wyner draws on the insights and evidence gained in administering the inaugural Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The book identifies four domains of excellence - degree completion, equity, student learning, and labour market success - and describes in rich detail the policies and practises that have allowed some community colleges to succeed in these domains. By starting with a holistic definition of excellence, measuring success against that definition, and then identifying practises and policies that align with high levels of student success, the author seeks to contribute to the growing body of knowledge about improving student success in community colleges.
Trade ReviewA must-read for all who understand the importance of high-quality community colleges to a brighter American future.”
- Alice M. Rivlin, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution
“ Joshua Wyner is a leading advocate for equity and quality of education, particularly in the key arena of our community colleges, which enroll half of higher education students”— Tony Marx, President, The New York Public Library, and former president, Amherst College
“[Wyner] shows how, with bold leadership—and enough time—a select group of colleges have transformed themselves in ways that not only increase graduation rates, but improve student learning and success in further education and employment, all while keeping an ‘open door’ to every student.”— Davis Jenkins, Senior Research Associate, Community College Research Center, Teachers College, Columbia University
Table of ContentsCONTENTS ix
Foreword INTRODUCTION
1
Community CollegesA Call to Progress ONE
11
Completion and TransferCreating Clarity in a Culture of Choice TWO
41
Equity and Developmental EducationConfronting the Tension Between Access and Success THREE
65
Learning OutcomesEngaging Faculty in Change They Understand FOUR
95
Labor MarketsTying Learning and Credentials to Jobs and Community FIVE
117
The Community College PresidentDriving to Excellence in a Fast-Changing Environment CONCLUSION
141
The Path AheadUrgency and Uncertainty APPENDIX A
147 Seven Colleges Featured in This Book
APPENDIX B
155 Aspen Prize Data
159
Notes 175
Acknowledgments 177
About the Author 179
Index
