Choosing a School

The rankings are in for this year’s analysis of the top degree-producing community colleges by Community College Week. In addition to listing the top 100 schools, researchers also discovered that the overall number of associate degrees earned made a jump this year to the top one million for the first time in history. Some schools that contributed significantly to this total are now celebrating their accomplishments with recognition in the rankings.

How States Fared

The latest analysis also looked at the number of associate degrees by state. That total number was weighed against the total population in the state to get a more accurate idea of the percentage of state residents earning degrees or certifications from community colleges. While states with larger populations also tended to issue more associate degrees, some states turned out more community college graduates as a percentage of their total population than others.

California had the most associate degrees during the 2011-2012 academic year, with 114,612 degrees awarded. California also boasts one of the country's largest overall populations and the largest community college system in the U.S. However, the second biggest degree-producing state was Florida, even though that state ranked fourth in overall population.

Other states that ranked in the top 10 in terms of degree productions included:

• New York (69,654)
• Texas (69,654)
• Arizona (62,990)
• Illinois (41,618)
• Ohio (35,871)
• Michigan (33,322)
• Pennsylvania (29,794)
• Washington (28,977)

The smallest number of associate degrees was earned in Vermont, where just 1,196 two-year degrees were

The largest community college in California is destined to meet a dire fate one year from now if heroic efforts to save the school are not successful. City College of San Francisco was recently notified by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges that it will lose accreditation by July 31, 2014. Although the school has few options left, extreme moves are in the works that could be the last hope for saving the failing school.

11 of 14 Changes Go Unaddressed

Problems for City College date far beyond the recent announcement of accreditation loss. San Francisco Gate reported that the commission evaluated the school in 2012, and made 14 recommendations for improvements that would save the school's accreditation status. Those 14 recommendations included:

• A revised mission statement for the school
• Use of the mission statement to allocate resources, with an increase in reserves
• An assessment of the college’s effectiveness
• Evaluations of all staff members responsible for student success
• Determination of whether there is sufficient staff to ensure student success
• Identification of priorities in-class curriculum and effectiveness of current courses and programs
• Assessment of whether student support services are hitting the mark
• Development of an effective planning process
• Leadership training for all staff and faculty members
• Reporting of financial information through a timely, accurate process
• Inclusion of building operating costs in long-term financial planning
• Development of a plan for maintaining and updating information systems
• Improvement of a governance structure for more efficient decision-making
• Adherence to bylaws and policies by college trustees

In this video,

Disturbingly low standards at community colleges nationwide translate to lower chances of success in the job market after college, a new study finds. Researchers discovered that although community college instructors appear to be lowering the bar for first-year students, many were unable to even meet the lower academic standards in math and literacy. This dismal picture suggests multiple layers of reform may be necessary to ensure students are ready for the professional workforce at graduation time.

Report Gauges College and Career Readiness

The new report, titled, “What does it Really Mean to be College and Work Ready?” was compiled by the National Center on Education and the Economy. The non-profit groups studies academic standards, instructional systems and assessment. Researchers looked at seven community colleges in seven states, looking at tests, textbooks and assignments given to first-year college students. Colleges were chosen at random and school size ranged from 3,000 to 30,000 students, according to Inside Higher Ed.

The study focused on popular career training programs offered by community colleges across the country, including accounting and business, automotive technology, criminal justice, early childhood education and information technology. Researchers focused on first-year students in these programs, and focus was placed on reading, writing and mathematics skills necessary to master these early college courses.

Lower Standards Still Not Met by Many Students

Researchers discovered that the bar set by college instructors in first-year courses was fairly low in terms of both reading and writing

In the midst of major turnover from the top down, Pima Community College is now on probation. The Arizona school has been notified by its accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission, that it has two years to turn things around or lose its accreditation status. With an executive team in limbo and reports of poor – and even unethical – management in recent years, it looks like Pima has its work cut out for the next two probationary years.

Problems from the Top Down

Tucson News Now reports that top administration officials may have initiated the problems at Pima that resulted in probation. The publication specifically cites allegations of sexual harassment against Ray Flores, the former chancellor of the school, which were left unaddressed by school administrators for several years. The commission investigating the school also found a “hostile working environment,” reported by many community college staff members.

Other issues reported by the Arizona Daily Star include corrupt contracting practices. Executives of the school have been accused of approving expensive contracts without going through the appropriate bidding process. Throughout the accusations of mismanagement, there is a common thread of a culture cultivated of “fear and retribution” and an ineffective governing body that failed to address concerns or manage situations that made it challenging to work at the college.

This video reports on Pima Community College facing probation.

Report Specifics

A community college campus is typically filled with adults of all ages, books, and backpacks in hand, moving from class to class. However, some community college campuses are adding a more youthful flavor to their ivied halls, with programs of all kinds designed for the younger set. Check out these innovative ways community colleges are giving younger students a taste of campus life, with special programs created just for them.

This video discusses recruiting strategies that work.

Science Olympiad Attracts Young Scientists

Mott Community College becomes a hot spot for young scientists every year when it hosts its annual Region V Science Olympiad. According to mLive, the event attracts middle and high school students from Livingston, Lapeer, Genesee, and Shiawassee. Students compete in a variety of events constructing machines, flying helicopters, and designing robotics.

High school students participate during morning events, and middle schoolers compete in the afternoon session. Many of the events are open to the public, and the event draws a crowd of parents, teachers, and interested community members. Students who come out on top in their events will advance to the state tournament of the Science Olympiad. The statewide event is to be held later this spring at Michigan University. There is also a national competition for those who do well in the state contests, which takes place at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, in May.