In 2003, Lumina Foundation for Education launched a major initiative, “Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count,” to help more community college students succeed, particularly those of color and/or from low-income families. To inform this effort, Lumina commissioned an audit of state policies on community college access, success, and accountability in the seven original participating states: Connecticut, Florida, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia.
To secure information on what policies the states have and how well they are working, we examined state policy documents and conducted interviews with state community college directors, legislators, gubernatorial advisors, local community college officials, and community organization representatives.
This article highlights some access and success policies across these seven states. It then concludes with recommendations for future state policy in the areas of access and success.
Dougherty, K., Reid. M., & Nienhusser, H. K. (2006). Helping students enter and succeed: Access, success, and accountability policies in the “Achieving the Dream” states. Community College Journal (Oct.-Nov.), 42–47.