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Community College Toolkits

Community College Data and Performance Measurement
Information, strategies, and resources for state policymakers and community college leaders
Replay the May 21, 2008 Webinar

Making the Case for Community Colleges:
Tools for Communications Advocacy

Strategies, tools and materials for a successful advocacy campaign.
Replay the March 18, 2008 Webinar

Linking Educational Opportunity and Economic Development
For community college leaders and policy makers
Replay the January 17, 2008 Webinar

Community College Finance Toolkit
For State and Local Leaders
Replay the June 13, 2007 Webinar

Career Pathways Toolkit
for Community College and Workforce Practitioners
Updated with new additional resources
Replay the April 24, 2007 Webinar


Grantee Update: The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) Plan for a Competitive Commonwealth focuses on the specific mission and mandates issued to (KCTCS) in the enactment of the Kentucky Postsecondary Education Improvement Act of 1997. Click here to download the plan and to learn more

Policy Brief Update: The Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy (CAAL) has released a new Policy Brief by senior analyst Julie Strawn of the Center for Law and Social Policy -- POLICIES TO PROMOTE ADULT EDUCATION AND POSTSECONDARY ALIGNMENT. The publication is available for download from the website of the National Commission, at www.nationalcommissiononadultliteracy.org/pandp.html.


Expanding Opportunity for the Underserved Community - See a video of David Wessel's speech at the Bridges Summer Meeting 2007.

Click here to download the transcript of his speech


New non-partisan workforce campaign launched!

On November 12, over 100 organizations throughout the U.S. launched Skills2Compete, who's vision statement is "Every U.S. Worker should have access to the equivalent of at least two years of education or training past high school - leading to a vocational credential, industry certification, or one's first two years of college... "

Watch Dr. Keith Bird, Chancellor, Kentucky Community & Technical College System explain why Kentucky's largest workforce preparation system has endorsed Skills2Compete and why America needs to change the way it thinks about building a skilled workforce.


Higher Education More Important to Americans - Public Agenda and the National Center have released a new report "Squeeze Play: How Parents and the Public Look at Higher Education Today" tracking public attitudes toward higher education since 1993. One interesting fact:

  • " Nearly three-quarters of Americans (71 percent) also believe a student can learn just as much in the first two years at a community college as at the first two years at a four-year institution."

Read the full story at: http://www.highereducation.org/news/news_053107.shtml


The Data Project An important thrust of the Bridges to Opportunity Initiative is to change the way that data is collected, analyzed and employed to improve access and success for community college students. A partnership between Bridges and the Achieving the Dream initiative, the Data Project is promoting the use of data by states to guide improvements in policy and practice that benefit students.
Click here to learn more...


Solutions for Our Future is a national initiative to establish a dialogue about the critical role colleges and universities play in serving the public, solving pressing societal needs, and preparing people for our country's future. Click here to view their new TV ads on the importance of community colleges.


Welcome to Community College Central Community colleges play a vital role for over five-and-a-half-million adults in the United States, many from disadvantaged communities. Community colleges are among the most adaptable and responsive American public institutions. Unfortunately, in many cases, the opportunity for educational and economic achievement at community colleges is impeded because the missions of academic transfer, workforce development, and access for the disadvantaged are not wholly integrated with one another. This Web site houses the research and work behind the Ford Foundation's Bridges to Opportunity Initiative.

 

Events

Click here to download the Summer Bridges Meeting Agenda

Click here to view Bridges events

In the News

Business Champions: Closing the Skills Gap Through Community Colleges. March 2008, Kiplinger.com.


Call for Equity for Community Colleges

As hundreds of presidents gather for American Council on Education meeting, one of their own delivers sharp critique of the way higher ed treats the 2-year sector. February 11, 2008, Inside Higher Ed.

Community Colleges Are Key to Shoring Up the U.S. Economy
, says College Board Report. January 31, 2008, Chronicle of Higher Education

Colleges announce commitment and accountability to student learning January 31, Inside Higher Education

Report argues community colleges need both more money and better results January 30, 2008, Associated Press

Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges' video discusses how local community and technical colleges are responding to the needs of the local labor market—students, educators, industry leaders and economists are interviewed.
flash iconThis is a Flash video and requires Flash Player 8 or higher for viewing

Massachusetts Governor Proposes Free Community Colleges pdf icon
The New York Times, June 2, 2007

Community and Technical College Board Receives Prestigious Telly Award
May 31, 2007, Press Release, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges

State's li'l schools deserve big support
February 15, 2007, The New York Daily News
News & Views: Errol Louis


New Downloads

The recent Lumina Foundation e-news included many new, valuable reports including:

A new report from the College Board's National Office on Community Colleges recommends stronger public support for community colleges. new downloads

A report that suggests men at Achieving the Dream colleges are trailing females in achievement and persistence. new downloads

A report on how financial aid offices can help students capitalize on their financial aid with examples of practices that might create obstacles and prevent students from receiving aid. new downloads

A report that shows how eliminating remedial courses at four-year institutions and turning students away does little to erase persistent inequalities. new downloads

Click here for other recent downloads

Community Colleges Bridges to Opportunity Project Description

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