Avoiding Dropout Factories: 10 Steps to Community College Success

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Avoiding Dropout Factories: 10 Steps to Community College Success
Make sure you don't become part of a community college "dropout factory" by considering these 10 factors when choosing a community college.

The term “dropout factories” was originally created to label high schools in the U.S. with dismally low graduation rates. However, the phrase has now moved into the community college sphere, as statistics indicate some community colleges are not living up to the task of helping students see their degree programs through to completion. The good news is that in the midst of the dropout factories, there are plenty of schools improving students’ odds for success through effective programs and services. It is up to students to weed through the data to choose the college that offers the best odds of success.

This video explores the fact that fewer than 40% of students in community colleges graduate or transfer in three years.

The Definition of a “Dropout Factory”

There is no single definition of a dropout factory when referring to community colleges – it depends in part on individual perceptions of what constitutes a low completion rate. A report at CNN Money defines dropout factories as schools with a completion rate of 25 percent or less, a number established by College Measures president Mark Schneider. The completion rate refers to the number of freshmen who enter the school full-time and earn a degree within three years.

Another source, the Center for the Social Organization of Schools at Johns Hopkins University, defines dropout factories at both the high school and community college level as those with graduation rates of 60 percent or less. According to Arizona’s State Brief blog, every single community college in Arizona would be classified as a dropout factory by this standard. However, two of the state’s institutions would meet the 25-percent benchmark, and a number of others would be very close to that number.

This video illustrates the community college dropout problem.

The Cost of Dropout Factories

No matter how you define them, the general consensus is that dropout factories cost plenty – for students and taxpayers. An article at the Las Vegas Sun cites a report showing taxpayers have spent nearly $4 billion over five years on community college dropouts. The report, compiled by the American Institutes for Research, indicated that only 35 percent of full-time freshmen entering college for the first time will leave the institution with a degree in hand. The graduation rate for part-time students is even more dismal – only seven percent end up earning a degree.

The cost of these underperforming institutions varies since schools boast dramatic ranges in completion rates. For example, Baton Rouge Community College in Louisiana had a completion rate of just five percent among incoming freshmen who started at the school during the fall semester in 2007. On the other hand, completion rates across the country at De Anza College in Cupertino, California were 74 percent during the same time frame. Huge discrepancies demonstrate the need for students to shop around for the best community college, rather than simply attending the closest one to home.

Avoiding the Dropout Factory Trap

To ensure the community college you choose does not fall into the dropout factory category, there are eight factors to consider when selecting a school:

Success Rates

Success rates are a key component to consider when looking at community colleges. While completion rates alone will not determine the full quality of the school, it is an important indicator of an individual student’s odds for success. Schneider told CNN, “When people look at these [low graduation] numbers, they think that they are going to be in the 10 percent who will succeed. But the odds are that you won’t.”

Success Rates of Specific Programs

If you are heading to community college with a specific degree program in mind, find out the success rate of the program in which you are interested. While a school might have a stellar completion rate overall, the graduation numbers for the department you are looking at could be considerably lower.

Transfer Opportunities

Many students enroll in a community college with the intention of transferring to a four-year institution after graduation. If they discover many of the credits they earn at community college will not transfer, they may drop out before they finish their associate degree. Ask about transfer programs between the community college and nearby universities.

Budget Cuts

Even schools with high completion rates may be expecting those stellar numbers to fall in light of significant budget cuts. For example, De Anza President Brian Murphy told CNN that budget cuts in California could negatively impact the school’s ability to see students through to graduation.

Remedial Education

Many students enroll in community college without proper academic preparation and hold up the higher education process with seemingly endless remedial classes. Schools that have learned to streamline or shorten remedial education time tend to boast higher completion rates. Find out how remedial courses work at the college you are considering.

This video offers one student's thoughts on being a dropout.

Course Availability

The longer it takes to earn a community college degree, the more likely something will arise to thwart higher education plans. When students have to wait for in-demand courses, it delays the college process. Ask about wait-lists for courses, particularly those you know you will need to complete your degree program.

Honors Programs

Some community colleges with low completion rates may also offer honors programs with much higher graduation numbers. Find out if the school you are considering offers such a program to increase your odds of success.

Online Course Offerings

Community college students often drop out of school due to family and work responsibilities or the expense of school. Online courses help students work around these obstacles by providing a convenient, low-cost option to campus programs, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Community college success rates are still low at many schools across the country. However, students serious about earning a degree can shop around for the best schools to greatly increase their odds of graduation success.

Questions? Contact us on Facebook. @communitycollegereview

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