Community Colleges React to President Obamas State of the Union

While community college has traditionally been a budget-friendly place to pursue higher education, some high school students have discovered they can take that benefit a step further by taking college courses while they are still in high school. This program, referred to as dual enrollment, is especially advantageous because high school students do not have to pay tuition for classes taken during the high school years. However, community colleges in Florida have found that the popularity of dual-enrollment programs is creating a financial dilemma for the very schools that originally used the programs to encourage high-achieving high school students to pursue higher education.

The Benefits of Dual Enrollment

Two recent studies from the National Center for Postsecondary Research show that dual enrollment has some positive effects on college enrollment and completion. According to a report at the Council for the Study of Community Colleges website, one study found that students who took dual enrollment classes were12 percent more likely to go to college and seven percent more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree than those who did not participate in dual enrollment courses. However, the positive effects were restricted to students who took classes on the college campus, instead of in their own high school classrooms.

The second study found that students who passed a college algebra placement test and participated in a dual-enrollment college algebra class were 16 percent more likely to go to college and 23 percent more likely to earn a

Community colleges have traditionally been a means for the budget-conscious to pursue a higher education and a well-paying job after graduation. However, if the student does not finish his degree or certificate program, he gains little more than excessive debt - and no credentials to get the job he needs to pay off his school loans. In Illinois, the number of community college students in this position is alarmingly high – so much so that the state's lieutenant governor, Sheila Simon, wants to write new legislation to improve community college graduation rates over the next decade significantly.

Focus on the Finish

The new report released by Simon’s office, titled “Focus on the Finish,” provides statistics on current graduation rates at Illinois community colleges and recommendations to improve those numbers. Nearly one million students enroll in Illinois community colleges every year. According to Lt. Governor Simon’s website, the report shows that four out of five recent high school graduates in Illinois who attend community college do not earn their degree or certificate within three years.

“We’re doing a good job of getting all types of students into the doors of community colleges,” Simon stated on her website. “But now we need to do a better job of moving them across the stage at graduation with a certificate or degree that leads to a good-paying job here in Illinois.”

Simon explains that there are currently 142,000 jobs available in the state, yet thousands of

The community college has come a long way since its humble beginnings, and now two-year programs have become an effective way for many to jumpstart a new career or advance their current job to the next level. Whether you are looking for a two-year degree program that gets you into the workforce faster or you are preparing for a four-year degree program with an eventual transfer to a university, community colleges have what you are looking for. However, before signing on with the closest community college, check out these tips to help you make the most of your two years at that institution.

Choosing a Degree Program

The plethora of two-year degree programs is one of the primary reasons more adult students are flocking to community colleges today. These schools offer a bevy of options, from general education degrees to career-specific training in everything from renewable energy to healthcare. However, the growing number of degree choices can also make it difficult for first-year community college students to settle on a program that will offer them both fulfillment and sufficient career openings. It is important to research degree programs carefully before choosing a major to ensure you find a program that will be both personally rewarding and financially lucrative.

According to data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and reported by College Board, the top 10 degrees currently offered by community colleges in terms of job openings include:

• Registered nurses

India represents a huge population that boasts an exceptionally high percentage of youth under 14. To use that percentage to launch India into world leadership rankings, education has become a priority for the entire country. The Wadhwani Foundation, an Indian non-profit committed to improving the quality of life in this country, recently partnered with an American community college to bring skill-based training to the youth of India. The partnership promises to provide resources to the country's youth who want to break the cycle of poverty through post-secondary education and lucrative career options.

The New Agreement

According to a local article in the Washington Post, the agreement between the Virginia Foundations for Community College Education and the India-based Wadhwani Foundation will enable American colleges to promote skills-based training overseas. Community colleges in this country specialize in such post-secondary education, preparing students of all ages for specific career paths. However, Indian schools were not equipped to provide their growing middle class with the same benefits skills-based training offers until the Wadhwani Foundation made education a priority in improving the standard of living in that country.

U.S. Senator Mark Warner announced the agreement. The Democrat is a member of the five-person delegation planning a visit to various cities in India, including New Delhi, Jaipur, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. The purpose of the visit is to discuss expanding relationships between the United States and India through business, defense, trade, and cultural issues.

“Virginia’s two-year community colleges play a