Resource Library

This report by the RAND Corporation offers a comprehensive assessment of the measures adopted by state correctional systems to address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 health crisis in state prisons. It aims to shed light on both the immediate and long-term impacts of these measures on the educational prospects of incarcerated learners. As the health crisis disproportionately affected incarcerated adults, those engaged in educational programs faced significant setbacks, amplifying pre-existing disparities and impeding their journey toward upward mobility.

Robust partnerships between community colleges and their local employers are critical to building workforce training pathways that help rural communities grow and thrive. However, increased support for rural community colleges to convene industry partnerships is needed to connect more rural learners to these quality employment opportunities. States also need help implementing policy and systems changes to strengthen partnerships between rural-based community colleges and industry. This report documents how existing rural community college and industry partnerships have impacted the success of rural learners, providing examples of effective partnerships in action.

High-quality, affordable, and workforce-driven community college baccalaureate (CCB) programs can provide new or expanded access to employment opportunities for underserved populations like rural learners, adult learners, and learners from low-income backgrounds. However, not all U.S. states currently allow community colleges to offer baccalaureate programs and it can be particularly difficult to establish in-demand CCB programs at rural-serving institutions. This brief examines the landscape of rural-serving community colleges in states that allow CCB programs and provides recommendations for those considering the possibility of CCB programs at their institution.

Our 2023 report reflects on our continued efforts to build evidence and share actionable insights through our grantmaking. Inside, you’ll read how our philanthropy catalyzes change to postsecondary education and workforce training systems so more learners from low-income backgrounds can achieve their goals. You’ll also get insights into the upcoming year.

The John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, and additional partner institutions share new evidence on the most useful learner success metrics and how postsecondary education institution governing boards can best use them to fulfill their roles. Focused on how good key metrics can lead to actionable outcomes, this article is part of a larger initiative to leverage the power of governing boards to oversee, envision, and drive equitable learner success.

In this episode, the Future U. podcast hosts two innovators to discuss the leading role community colleges can play in growing America’s apprenticeship programs. Mitchell Harp, dean of apprenticeship programs at Trident Technical College, and Pierre Dubuc, CEO of OpenClassrooms, consider barriers and solutions to apprenticeships, including engaging employers and supporting learners in apprenticeship programs and career development.

Navigating financial aid for incarcerated learners poses challenges, particularly with federal regulations around the newly expanded availability of Pell Grants. To assist financial aid administrators in this process, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators has developed advising reference sheets.

This brief summarizes the results of two major studies that shed light on the feasibility of implementing guided pathways reforms at scale and whether implementation of practices leads to better student outcomes. Additionally, the brief offers recommendations for community colleges undertaking guided pathways reforms.

This case study highlights the efforts of Delta Compass, a workforce collaborative addressing current and future labor needs in a rural region of the U.S. They are an example of an organization that is responsive to local employment needs, working together with employers and the community college system to fill jobs in healthcare, education, and manufacturing.

This case study details the recent activities of Upskill NWA. Primarily focused on healthcare professions, Upskill NWA provides comprehensive, individualized support to help learners complete requirements and secure employment. By working with area colleges and universities, the efforts of Upskill NWA are an example of how community-based stakeholders can collaborate to meet local workforce needs.

This case study spotlights People Inc. of Virginia. The organization provides a wide range of services that help advance workforce opportunities in rural America, including work-based learning and on-the-job training. Because they collaborate with employers and community organizations, their work is a good example of what can be accomplished through rural partnerships.

Most colleges have traditionally used standardized tests to help place learners in the math or English course level that best suits their prior learning and preparation. But those tests are a bad predictor of learners’ actual abilities, resulting in many learners – especially those from low-income backgrounds – being placed in courses they don't get college credit for and delayed on their path to a degree. Multiple Measures Assessment (MMA), the use of multiple forms of information about learners beyond just a single standardized test score, is proven to work better at helping learners get into the best courses for them. In this report, MDRC and the Community College Research Center explore how to implement and sustain the use of MMA.