College Material

Community Colleges Come Of Age

A Five-Part Series

America’s community colleges are supposed to offer decent opportunities for all citizens.

With open enrollment and low-cost tuition, these two-year schools serve so-called nontraditional students: full-time workers, parents, military veterans, immigrants and people who speak English as a second language.

Still, few enroll and graduate.

WGBH Radio’s higher-ed desk, On Campus, reports from community colleges across Massachusetts to see whether local two-year schools are making the grade.

Part 1

Accessible, Affordable & Increasingly Popular

A WGBH News poll finds a majority of Americans would recommend community college over taking out loans for a four-year college.

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Poll Results

Would You Recommend Community College Over 4-Year College?

Two thirds of those questioned advised pursuing a community college education and saving the rest of the money, rather than going broke for a four-year degree.

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Commentary

A Study In Drive And Determination

Callie Crossley has become a champion of community colleges after spending time on campuses across the country and in Boston.

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Part 2

Working Stiff

Seventy percent of all community college students are employed, and nearly half of those students work more than 30 hours a week.

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COMMENTARY

Is Free Community College A Public Obligation?

Greater Boston host Jim Braude weighs in on whether community colleges should be free.

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Part 3

Culture Shift

About a quarter of the students who attend community college in the U.S. come from immigrant backgrounds.

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Part 4

Playing Catch-Up

Many people view community colleges as an option for students who didn’t get good grades in high school.

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Part 5

Narrow Gateway

Advocates say many more could attend community colleges if undocumented immigrants could access in-state tuition rates and financial aid.

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Lecture

Keeping Learners On Track For Success

At the New England Board of Higher Education conference in Boston, educators discuss efforts to prepare and retain community college students.

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