Community College's Importance and Controversiality
What makes community colleges distinct from other colleges?
“Beyond their number, community colleges are distinctive for their “open door” admissions policy. Community colleges usually require only that entrants have a high school diploma or be 18 years of age” (p. 3).
What is the American Dream or ideology of equal opportunity?
This belief says that anyone in the U.S. can succeed through hard work and ability.
What was the original main purpose of community colleges?
Expanded access to higher education.
What was the tuition that was outlined and committed to in the original 1960 Master Plan?
Tuition-free other than costs for housing, parking, etc
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect Enrollment?
Enrollment dropped
What demographics do community colleges tend to serve?
“As a result, community college students are more heavily working class, minority, female, and older than are four-year college students” (p. 3).
What is educational tracking or stratification?
A system in which students are sorted into different educational paths based on social class, ability, or institutional needs, often reinforcing inequality.
Who were community colleges primarily designed to serve?
A broad and diverse student population.
Which of California's public postsecondary education systems serves as its primary academic research institution?
The UC system
When does enrollment go up according to the Vice Chancellor of California Community Colleges? When does it go down?
It goes down when the economy is good and up when there is a recession?
What is another key role of community colleges besides transferring?
“Finally, the community college is noteworthy for its commitment to occupational education. Depending on the estimate, 40 to 60% of all community college students are enrolled in occupational-education programs, and these students make up over half of all students in all forms of postsecondary vocational training” (p. 5).
What is democratization vs. diversion?
The idea that expanding access to education can simultaneously increase opportunity while also channeling students into less prestigious educational career pathways.
What is a key economic role of community colleges today?
Workforce training and labor market preparation.
What percent of the graduating high school class do the UC's select from?
12.5% (one-eighth)
What is the funding for community colleges based on?
Enrollment
What is the debate over community college, and why?
“Should it continue as a comprehensive institution, offering vocational training, adult education, and university preparation, or should it shed one or the other of these dimensions? If it should narrow its role, which function should become central… A major spark for this debate has been the sharp decline in the community college’s role in baccalaureate preparation over the last 20 years” (p. 5).
What are the contradictory pressures facing junior colleges?
Community colleges face pressure to both provide opportunity and meet economic demands, leading to this central contradiction in their role.
What is a major criticism of community colleges?
Reproducing inequality or diverting students from four-year degrees.
Which age group/generation increased college enrollment and lead to the development of California's public higher education system as we know it today?
Baby boomers
How much lost revenue did Mario Rodriguez, the Los Rios Community College District Executive Vice Chancellor, say they lost in revenue since their increase in enrollment?
$20 Million
What is the term Dougherty uses to describe the perspective that explains how the community college has been shaped by a wide variety of groups, including private interest groups and government officials, leading to contradictions.
“In this book I offer such a perspective, which I term the relative autonomy of the state” (8).
What is vocational or terminal education?
A type of education focused on preparing students for specific jobs or careers rather than transferring to a four year university, often limiting opportunities for upward mobility.
Why are community colleges considered “contradictory institutions”?
Balancing competing economic, social, and educational goals.
How many UC campuses have been added since 1960?
4
In the article, Carla Gruhn quit her job as a medical assistant and enrolled in what program at a community college?
Radiologic Technology Program