Promoting Student Success in Community College: Findings from the Opening Doors Demonstration

1. Promoting Student Success in Community College: Findings from the Opening Doors Demonstration

2. 2 Presentation Outline Overview of the Opening Doors Demonstration: Tom Brock, MDRC Implementation and Early Results: Rachel Singer, Kingsborough Community College Bill Ivoska, Owens Community College Ricardo Diaz, Chaffey College Questions & Answers

3. 3 Opening Doors: A Demonstration Project to Increase Student Persistence & Achievement Program strategies: Strengthened developmental instruction Improved guidance and support services Increased financial aid Desired results: Increased course completion and retention Higher rates of graduation or transfer Increased employment and better jobs

4. 4 Evaluation Is Using a Random Assignment Design

5. 5 Eligibility Criteria for Students in the Opening Doors Evaluation Between ages of 17-34. Enrolled at least half-time. Household income below 250 percent of poverty. Other criteria as determined by colleges.

6. 6 Brooklyn, New York Rachel Singer, Director of Academic Affairs

7. 7 Kingsborough Community College Opening Doors Program Learning Communities: Groups of 25 students take first semester courses together 3 linked courses: English (usually developmental) Student development (taught by counselor) One standard college course, such as history Faculty coordinate assignments, discuss student progress

8. 8 Learning Communities at Kingsborough Community College

9. 9 Characteristics of Kingsborough Students in the Opening Doors Study All incoming freshmen. Mostly young and living with parents. Ethnically diverse. 38 percent African American 24 percent white 21 percent Hispanic 8 percent Asian About half want to transfer to a four-year university; 30 percent want an Associate�s degree.

10. 10 After One Semester in Learning Communities: More Courses Taken and Passed

11. 11 One Year Later: Students in Learning Communities More Likely to Pass CUNY Writing Test

12. 12 One Year Later: No Difference in College Enrollment

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14. 14 Owens Community College Opening Doors Program Enhanced Student Services: Students in Opening Doors are assigned to an academic advisor with a maximum caseload of 150 Proactive, team-oriented advising approach: Minimum 2 meetings with students each semester Referrals to and follow-up with other student services staff Evening and weekend hours $150 scholarship for each of two semesters, tied to meetings with the academic advisor

15. 15 Characteristics of Owens Students in the Opening Doors Study New and continuing students Mostly female; mostly parents Average age: 24 Racial/Ethnic composition: Approximately half white, 30 percent black, 10 percent Hispanic Many students looking to upgrade job skills. About 45 percent want an Associate�s degree.

16. 16 After One Semester in Opening Doors: More Credits Earned

17. 17 After One Year: Students Enrolled Longer, Earned More Credits

18. 18 Ricardo Diaz, Opening Doors Coordinator

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20. 20 Chaffey College Opening Doors Program Student Success Course and Basic Skills Instruction: For students on academic probation Instruction in study habits and other college-going skills, linked with individualized assistance in reading, writing, or math Lab assignments reinforce study skills

21. 21 Characteristics of Chaffey Students in the Opening Doors Study Continuing students on academic probation Average age: 21. About half live at home with parents. Racial/ethnic breakdown: Over half Hispanic 20 percent white 15 percent black About 60 percent say main goal is to transfer to 4-year university, 20 percent want to earn Associate�s degree

22. 22 After One Semester: Students More Likely to Take Guidance Course, Use Academic Success Centers

23. 23 After Two Semesters: Students More Likely to be Off Academic Probation

24. 24 More Information Tom Brock, Director of Young Adults and Postsecondary Education, MDRC thomas.brock@mdrc.org Rachel Singer, Director of Academic Affairs, Kingsborough Community College resinger@kbcc.cuny.edu William Ivoska, Vice President of Student Services, Owens Community College william_ivoska@owens.edu Ricardo Diaz, Opening Doors Coordinator, Chaffey College ricardo.diaz@chaffey.edu Reports available at www.mdrc.org