Summary And Response Of Community College

This article provides an insightful view into the perceived and real status of community colleges in relation to their university counterparts. Once thought of as a place merely for underachievers to attend for workforce training, Trowbridge points out these institutions now have more to offer. They provide an affordable opportunity for students to complete the same courses that are available at the university for a fraction of the cost. Noting the financial savings in comparison to the traditional university, along with the overall quality of instruction, local community colleges have become a viable alternative for those seeking a college education without the incurring unnecessary amounts of debt.

Benefits of attending a community college as opposed to a traditional university tend to be overlooked by potential students. They are either unaware of its advantages or do not fully understand how this type of education can benefit their cause. Year after year large amounts of students choose to go straight from high school and in to four-year universities. The problem with this particular situations is that universities in general tend to have 50-400 students in one

In the article “Two Years Are Better Than Four” author Liz Addison writes about how community college is a forgotten option for many students in America, and that it is not well advertised like the universities are. She writes about how community college is a great option for students who need a less expensive option, but still want a chance to further their education. Addison also writes about how they allow everyone to attend so you can “just begin”. Community college is a great option for many students because it allows for an affordable option for students to continue their education.

Perhaps some student aren’t ready to jump into four year college right after high school. Perhaps some students don’t have enough money or funding to afford four year colleges. For those who trying start taking classes, a community college, two years colleges or vocational school might a good place to get adjusted for college or for training to enter the workforce early. Liz Addison, supporter for two-year community colleges, considers community colleges the ideal place to begin and that it is not important to make the jump into a four-year university. In her essay, “Two Years Are Better than Four,” Addison portrays the theory of the community college. She assumes “The philosophy of the community college, and I have been to two of them, is one that conditionally allows its students to begin” (256). Her assumption are based on her idea “the community college system is America’s hidden public service gem” (257). A similar idea that Charles Murray believes in. He also believes community colleges the ideal place to begin for those who are training to enter the workforce early. He states “Try to force her (for example, by setting up a demanding core curriculum), and she will transfer to another school, because she is in college for vocational training. She wants to write computer code. Start a business. Get a job in television. She uses college to take vocational courses that pertain to her career interests.”().These to supporters of two years colleges and vocational training are encouraging students looking for place to start or those who are trying to get certain skills to join the

Community college is a great institution for students to start their educational journey. Especially when they do not have the funds or lack some of the prerequisite that a university would require. Community college was created to serve the community, traditional and non-traditional students with the best higher education and lifetime learning opportunities. The faculty and staff members at a community college is there to provide leadership in education while going above and beyond to recognize the needs of the students and the community by providing excellent educational programs and support services that are available to all who have the opportunity to take advantage of them. “Student services now include recruitment and retention, counseling, student activities, student health, financial aid, academic support, career centers, transfer centers, and supplemental services such as transportation, child care, and services tailored for specific populations of students” (Cohen, Brawer, & Krisker, 2014, pg. 209). My philosophy in fulfilling the role and mission of the community college, is to establish the mission, vision, goals and values to guide all students on their journey to strive to become successful both in school and in today’s economy.

Deciding whether to attend a community college or university can be a difficult decision for students especially high school seniors and fresh high school graduates. After graduating from high school, the next step in the academic journey is to attend a college or a university. Before I got into college, I wanted to attend a university. I never considered attending a community college because I considered it irrelevant and less rewarding than a university. Now I have a different view about community colleges and I can clearly point out the major difference between a community college and a university. A community college is a two year college which offers two or three year courses and award associate degrees and certificates. Most community colleges are linked with certain universities which makes it easier for students to transfer. My decision to attend a community was strongly influenced by Cost, easy transition to university, and the need to balance school, work, and social life.

With a history of attending community college, more than one in fact, Addison thinks that a community college’s purpose is to let students embark on the rest of their lives. She makes it out to believe that community colleges are the places where “a first independent film, a first independent thought, a first independent study” happens (212). These two-year colleges are not just important because they are more affordable, but because they give students hope and even a chance to dream, Liz thinks. In the author’s opinion, community colleges are not given the appreciation and recognition that they have earned.

In her article, Magdalena Kay brings up the idea that students feel the need to go to college in order to obtain a job that makes enough money to support the lifestyle that they want (3). These students want to go to universities to earn their degree so that they can achieve their blissful little life with a gratifying job, but for students, it is not always possible to make it to a university right away as planned. Frequently universities cost too much, people are not mature enough, their grades are not satisfactory, or they need to work and do not have the time for classes; this is where community colleges come into play. They can be a great option for people who are unable to go straight to a four-year college and they allow students to get most of their general classes out of the way and help them work towards a bachelor 's degree. A majority of students transfer to a four-year college from community colleges by virtue of the benefits of it, but through the process over 50 percent of students lose some portion of their credits and this sets them back on their path to earning a degree. While transferring has copious benefits for students, there are not a multitude of options for paths between colleges to transfer.

Community college is an ideal sources for obtaining higher education for many reasons. First, local community colleges provide an affordable alternative to large public and private universities (Grimes, Rezek, Campbell, 2013). In addition to serving as a gateway for economically disadvantaged students, local community colleges serve as a gateway for less academically qualified students (Grimes, Rezek, Campbell, 2013). Many students who are unable to attend highly selective colleges can attend community colleges, obtain a degree and/or transfer to a school that offers or more diverse degree programs (J. Doe, personal communication, November 11, 2015).

The two major community colleges that kids choose to attend are Shoreline Community College and Bellevue Community College. While there are a large number of students who choose to attend four-year universities directly upon graduating high school, there are a number of others who elect to attend community colleges. The decision to attend community colleges is a very practical one that has many advantages and benefits. The first major reason for enrolling into a community college is the fact that enrollment is open to anyone who has the capacity to pay for classes. As one male classmate of mine commented, “I go to a Shoreline C.C. now because I knew that I needed to start a college career somewhere, it’s just that I didn’t have the grades in high school to get into a university. I hope to use Shoreline as a way to help me get in to a university later.” The idea that this student expresses is perhaps the leading factor that leads to community college enrollment. The nice thing about community college is that it gives students who did not perform well in high school the opportunity for a second chance. It ensures that nobody is completely shunned from higher education. The mission statement of Shoreline Community College is:

Many believe that students should pursue a four-year education or nothing at all, but for some, a two-year education is also suitable. Liz Addison insists that community colleges should be seen as a viable option following high school. Community college acts as a stepping stone for students to get more out of their schooling and work experience. If a student chooses to, enter a two-year college first, they are often better prepared for a four-year college Addison claims. Attending a community college before a liberal arts college allows a student to take, for example, their first college-level English class and psychology class, growing more with every course to prepare them for further education. The community colleges “offer a network of affordable future, of accessible hope, and an option to dream,” Addison asserts. This option gives the students who are unsure of what they want a chance to receive some sort of college education and find what interests them. Furthermore, it gives students who otherwise would not be able to afford a higher education to still attend school post high school.

The purpose of this research paper is to explore the altered missions of community colleges and related impacts on the historical mission of community colleges. The mission of community colleges were intended to serve all individuals with an equal opportunity for higher education access. In this research paper, there will be four guided questions:

In “Public Community Colleges: Creating Access and Opportunities for First-Generation College Students,” Everett argues that community colleges have been increasing to higher educations by enrolling members of low-income, first-generation, and many more. Everett also argues that college is limited because of costs, discrimination, and precollege preparation. Julia Everett also states some challenges faced after admission such as, students who have their mind set to transfer to a 4-year university only 46% actually complete that goal and rates are lower for those with a low-income. Helping first-generations students is beneficial to the economic.

Some of these included community college as being easy to get into, an available option for people of all financial situations, and a place where education is a growing process. The author also made this topic seem important by realizing that attending and completing college has been the goal of many therefore stating a more obtainable option of reaching college added validity and to her

To tell the truth, entrance tests in community colleges don’t determine the student's’ passion for education. Placement tests put students off the path to success in their education career. Susan Headden is a senior writer and a prize winning journalist wrote that 72 percent of students who didn’t take the remedial courses and directly went to college level classes “made the wise decision.” On the other hand 27, percent of students who claim to take remedial classes went to the higher level courses in community college. Also, she included that a retired professor at Stanford University, Michael W. Kirst, speaks about students who have been denied from taking college level courses, without letting them try(35). Community colleges make students