Courses in College

Be inspired by the gamut of community college courses, from the arts to technical training. This section will cover everything from remedial classes to continuing education. Community colleges offer courses for youth and teens, individuals looking for a new hobby or skill, or those behind bars looking for a second chance.

View the most popular articles in Courses in College:

Gateway to College Program Helping High School Dropouts Nationwide

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Gateway to College Program Helping High School Dropouts Nationwide
Gateway to College has been helping students reinvigorate their academic and professional potential. Learn more about this innovative program that is helping dropouts regain academic footing once again.

College is an important step for nearly any young adult who wants to embark on a rewarding and lucrative profession after graduation. Unfortunately, many of these students drop out of high school before they even earn their diploma, leaving them with few options in employment that can support a family or allow for career advancement. To help some of these students rediscover their academic roots, Gateway to College was created. This innovative program provides the information, resources, and the support high school dropouts need to get back on track and earn their diplomas and their degrees.

What is Gateway to College?

The Gateway to College program began at Portland Community College in 2000 as a means to help high school dropouts bridge the gap in their educational careers. According to the Gateway to College website, the program helps students earn their high school diplomas and community college credits simultaneously, setting them on a path to completing not only high school, but college as well. Since its humble beginnings more than a decade ago, Gateway to College has grown to a nationwide network that includes 30 colleges in 16 states and more than 100 school districts across the country.

The Gateway program operates as an organization within a community college campus, teaching students how to succeed in an academic setting where they may have fallen short before. The instructors and specialists that work with Gateway specialize in helping youth who have dropped out of

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Taking Community College Courses in High School: How Far Ahead Can You Really Get?

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Taking Community College Courses in High School: How Far Ahead Can You Really Get?
Does taking community college classes really prepare you for the academic rigors of a four-year university? A study sheds light on the quality of community college courses taken by high school students.

In Iowa, more and more high school students are graduating with a significant number of community college credits under their belts. The reason began nearly two decades ago when the state passed legislation that requires high schools to pay for the students that take the courses. Money for tuition ultimately comes from the state, with a portion going to community college tuition and the rest going to high school. The idea behind the legislation, according to the Green Field Reporter, was to provide additional opportunities to advanced high school students without taxing already tight school budgets.

As a result of the new law, more Iowa students began seizing the opportunity to get a leg up on their post-secondary education. According to the Des Moines Register, more than 38,200 high school students across the state earned community college credits before their high school graduation. Those numbers showed a 50 percent increase over a period of five years, according to the Iowa Department of Education. Students who received this credit ahead of time made up more than one-quarter of all the community college students in the state.

The Study Begins

This year, as Iowa’s 15 community colleges are gearing up for accreditation through the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnership, a study has been launched to determine the quality of college courses taught at the nearby high schools. This study will provide information on just how valuable community courses during high school can be,

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Kids in College: Community Colleges Ramping Up Summer Programs for All Ages

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Kids in College: Community Colleges Ramping Up Summer Programs for All Ages
Even if your child is not college-aged, he or she can partake in summer programs at your local community college. Learn about summer programs on community college campuses that can inspires learning and fun in little ones.

Looking for a fun way for your kids to spend their summer vacation? How about a week or two at college? Many community colleges are bringing camps and workshops to their campuses across the country, allowing future college students of all ages the chance to dabble in technology, theatre and a host of sports. The offerings vary in terms of length of time, cost and curriculum, allowing students from a wide range of interests to pursue a new hobby or hone their skills at a current discipline. This article will highlight some of the community college programs available this summer across the country.

Bringing the Arts and Physical Education to New Mexico Kids

Clovis Community College has plenty to offer kids on break this summer at their CCC Kid's College. The school provides a range of classes in their summer outreach program, including science, arts and crafts and physical education. Students can create their own volcano while learning about the different rock that is created during an eruption. They can build bird houses to decorate their backyards. They can develop skills in tennis, bowling and volleyball. CCC offers some of the best – and most creative – courses for kids in New Mexico beginning at age five.

Kid's College Director Judith Spillane told cnjonline.com, "We wanted to offer both educational and physical educational programs. All of the classes have education and skills components, including our athletic programs."

Registration is currently underway at Clovis Community

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Sending Prisoners Back to School? A New IHEP Study Says Yes

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Sending Prisoners Back to School? A New IHEP Study Says Yes
A new study from the Institute of Higher Education Policy recommends prisoners to attend community college courses via distance learning. Learn about the surprising study and its potential benefits for incarcerated individuals and general society.

Incarcerated individuals are much more likely to return to prison three years after their release if they do not have access to educational opportunities beyond high school, a new study from the Institute of Higher Education Policy has found. In the report titled, "Unlocking Potential: Results of a National Survey of Postsecondary Education in State Prisons," IHEP has determined that providing prisoners with access to college education offers a benefit both to the individual and to society at large. The report was published this month on the IHEP website, and it includes recommendations for policymakers regarding prisoners currently in the system.

According to IHEP, there are approximately 2.3 million people in the prison system in the United States today, costing taxpayers about $52 billion each year. Without access to any sort of postsecondary education, seven of 10 formerly incarcerated individuals will return to prison within three years of their initial release. Recidivism costs states every year, which is why it is critical for policymakers to consider instituting programs within the prison system to provide prisoners with the necessary training and education to find jobs after their release.

The Profile of a Prisoner

The IHEP study found many common characteristics of incarcerated individuals vs. the general population today, including:

  • Incarcerated individuals are much more likely to come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds than the general population
  • Those in prison tend to be from racial and ethnic minorities to a higher degree than the population at
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Early Beginnings: Community Colleges Plant the Seed with Middle School Students

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Early Beginnings: Community Colleges Plant the Seed with Middle School Students
Community colleges welcome students from all ages, even those as young as middle schoolers! Learn about the programs made possible by the College Access Challenge Grant in bringing middle school students to community college campuses.

President Obama wants to see more young Americans heading to college after high school, and he has started the wheels turning to make that happen. According to a report at DelawareOnline, Vice President Joe Biden recently announced President Obama's plan to boost community college completion to 50 percent by 2020. The president has also issued additional funding to community colleges to help them meet this goal. Some schools are taking a new approach to boost enrollment and completion in community colleges – by inspiring students to higher education before they even reach high school. This article will take a look at the way some community colleges across the country are sparking student interest in college earlier than ever before

Delaware Inspires Middle Schools

When President Obama increased national funding for the federal College Access Challenge Grant, it meant more money for the community colleges in Delaware. The schools in the state decided to use some of that extra money to fund a middle school program that brings eighth-grade students onto the community college campus for tours and information. The students learn about the various academic programs available, as well as financial aid options.

The program aims to get students interested in college at a younger age so they succeed in high school and move to a community college right after graduation. The program primarily targets areas of the state with high percentages of potential first-generation college students and single-parent homes.

Judi Coffield,

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Courses in College

REMEDIAL EDUCATION
60% of community college students need remedial courses. This section covers the classes and new developments to help students who need remedial coursework. Learn why the gap exists, how schools are combatting it and what you can do to avoid remedial classes. Get tips on mastering college math, learn what you can do to prevent repeating a class and hear what the experts have to say about remedial class placement.
Too Many Students Placed in Remedial Courses? Studies Say Yes
Too Many Students Placed in Remedial Courses? Studies Say Yes
Mastering Math: A Guide to Passing Your Community College Math Requirements
Mastering Math: A Guide to Passing Your Community College Math Requirements
Why Do 60% of Community College Students Need Remedial Coursework?
Why Do 60% of Community College Students Need Remedial Coursework?
SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES
Local business are taking advantage of special training programs at community colleges. From OSHA training to a collaboration with Goldman Sachs, community colleges are training employees for small and large businesses across the country.
Calling All Entrepreneurs!  How Community Colleges Can Help You Start Your Business
Calling All Entrepreneurs! How Community Colleges Can Help You Start Your Business
OSHA Training at Community College: Making Workplace Safety Easier
OSHA Training at Community College: Making Workplace Safety Easier
Fast Track Job Training Offered to Displaced Workers through Philadelphia Community Colleges
Fast Track Job Training Offered to Displaced Workers through Philadelphia Community Colleges
FUN & ELECTIVE CLASSES
Community colleges offer a gamut of fun and interesting classes, and we give ideas that may strike inspiration for your elective choices. Learn homesteading skills, study paranormal investigating, or earn a scuba diving certificate all at a community college near you. This sections identifies some of the fun non-credit courses available at your local campus.
Studying Ghosts: Paranormal Investigation Courses at Community College
Studying Ghosts: Paranormal Investigation Courses at Community College
Learn Homesteading Skills at Your Local Community College
Learn Homesteading Skills at Your Local Community College
Choosing Electives for a Rounded Education
Choosing Electives for a Rounded Education
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Community colleges are filled with continuing education opportunities. Whether you are looking for a resume booster, new skills to earn a promotion or want to earn your degree while incarcerated, community college may be a good choice for you.
Retraining at Community Colleges: A Status Update
Retraining at Community Colleges: A Status Update
Should an Islam Class be Taught by an Islamophobe?
Should an Islam Class be Taught by an Islamophobe?