Ferrilli’s Post

interesting read

What is preposterous to me is that the Department of Education has offered no evidence or examples in their defense of eliminating these course materials intervention models. Decades of research has proven that the "student choice" model of course materials acquisition does not work. It presents insurmountable barriers for millions of students. #InclusiveAccess and #EquitableAccess tore down the systemic institutional barriers to higher education that have prevented underrepresented student populations from accessing higher education and pursing their American Dream. Are these models perfect? No, but tell me what model is? If given the chance to provide a helping hand to 80-90% of students in higher education or letting 100% of them fend for themselves, I will always choose the former. What I know to be true from my work with hundreds of campuses is that Inclusive and Equitable Access have given students more access to course materials, more affordable choices, and more opportunity to prove their ability in the classroom and rather than their resourcefulness to get into it. "The thing that is rare is #opportunity, not #ability" - Lester Frank Ward

Another publication with my scholar hermano Dr. Vincent D. Carales! Grateful for his leadership on this work with co-authors Zongqi Li and Gilberto Garza. ABSTRACT In this study, we sought to understand how institutional agents at an Early College High School (ECHS) supported first-generation college students (FGCS). Our findings highlight how institutional agents were able to support students’ transitions from an ECHS to two- and four-year institutions. We also discussed the skills, mediated by institutional agents, which were critical in fostering the college-readiness of FGCS. We conclude with discussing implications for how educators can support the increasing number of first-generation college students as they pursue and transition through postsecondary education. Citation: Carales, V. D., López, R. M., Li, Z., & Garza, G. (2024). Navigating High School as an Early College Student: How Institutional Agents Support First-Generation College Students. Journal of First-Generation Student Success, 1–16.

There’s now a statewide view of dual enrollment for public high school students! The key takeaways from Policy Analysis for California Education: About 10 percent of all 9th through 12th graders enrolled in a community college course in 2021–22. While dual enrollment participation is low overall for 9th grade, participation is more equitable than in later grades. Opportunities for dual enrollment vary widely by county. Explore the full infographic here: https://lnkd.in/gY2wf8Nh

Continued support and guidance is key.

From Chalkbeat Colorado, a story on #TrackingTransfer and the impact of Dual Enrollment: "Colorado has offered dual enrollment opportunities for years, and lawmakers are looking at ways to better the state’s fragmented dual enrollment system for high school students and improve workforce training. In total, 29% of Colorado’s community college students with dual enrollment experience end up eventually getting their bachelor’s degree six years later, more than double the overall rate statewide." 🎓 More, including insights from our Tania LaViolet: https://lnkd.in/eaCc-Fqf

I have a new essay in the Journal of Postsecondary Student Success examining ways that state higher education policies can affect student success and equity. Thanks to the JPSS team for inviting me to write this piece!

Too often in high schools, student supports are too little, too late. This article does a great job of highlighting the problem and features examples of how changes in high school can help. For more, we released four case studies on how CA districts and schools are increasing graduation rates by investing in the ninth grade: https://lnkd.in/esCTFuGH

Check out our article in the The Chronicle of Higher Education and see how Hudson Valley is redefining the narrative around community colleges. It’s time to get the “just” out of “just community college.”

Interesting insights about dual enrollment pathways in #rural community colleges. Would love to hear your thoughts about this piece by Iris Palmer and New America.