Kinder Institute for Urban Research’s Post

There were mulitple reports out of New York last week about 9 community colleges facing concerns about their accreditation status. Most of the concerns revolved around enrollment and finances. So, I created a community college version of the TOP/Bottom reports. The enrollment trends are really bad and there are interesting patterns in the ways some New York community colleges are allocating their funds. https://lnkd.in/gsz5jTX6 #collegeviability #topbottomreports #cvapp #newyorkcolleges #communitycolleges #communitycollegeenrollment

As a community college graduate (hey hey, Miami Dade College!) I can attest to the incredible opportunity these institutions offer, especially for students with financial constraints or who are deemed “non-traditional” because of some facet of their identity or circumstance (e.g., immigration status, parenthood, full-time employed part-time student). They’re also critical to advancing educational equity. There’s a demonstrated link between students’ academic outcomes and the extent to which they see their identities represented on campus, from faculty to staff to administration. Since community colleges tend to better reflect their local demographics and are more affordable than the average 4-year institution, they’re a significant driver of educational attainment and postsecondary access. Community colleges are also often under-resourced—Maryland CCs faced proposed $22M budget cuts for FY25, for instance—meaning students may not receive adequate (let alone holistic) advising support that helps them navigate the college landscape. Since public funding is tied to enrollment, the years-long decline on that front means schools have to scrimp even more, slashing student support to stay afloat. I’m grateful for my community college experience and think they’re an undervalued postsecondary option. More than that, they’re often a *best* first step for a young person who wants to pursue their goals but who also has significant responsibilities outside of the classroom. If we want to invigorate the community college landscape, we can start by rejecting the engrained narrative that they are somehow less worthy, and instead recognize the incredible promise they hold for creating a more equitable community for us to call home. #ProudCommunityCollegeGrad #FlipTheScript

There were mulitple reports out of New York last week about 9 community colleges facing concerns about their accreditation status. Most of the concerns revolved around enrollment and finances. So, I created a community college version of the TOP/Bottom reports. The enrollment trends are really bad and there are interesting patterns in the ways some New York community colleges are allocating their funds. https://lnkd.in/gtZDEYCn #collegeviability #topbottomreports #cvapp #newyorkcolleges #communitycolleges #communitycollegeenrollment

📊 New data reveals troubling trends in community college enrollment A must-read analysis of the Los Angeles Community College District (one of the largest in the country) shows: - 30% enrollment drop from 2017-2023 📉 - Uneven impact across demographics 🧑🤝🧑 - Financial aid access playing a crucial role 💰 - Working-age students hit hardest 👨🎓👩🎓 Key findings: 1. Upstream changes driving decline - fewer new students entering 2. Continuing student numbers down 37% 3. Students with partial financial aid saw largest sustained drops What can be done? The article suggests: - Increased financial assistance 💵 - Better basic needs support 🏠🍽️ - More childcare options 👶 - Flexible course modalities 💻🏫 How can we ensure community colleges continue to serve as vital pathways to opportunity for ALL students, regardless of their circumstances or available resources? Programs like ours — flexible, holistic, community oriented, highly tailored — are bucking the trends revealed in this case study: - 87% of all New Futures Scholars selected in the last 5 years are either persisting or have graduated🌟 - 54% of our graduates have ZERO educational debt🎓 - 100% of recently surveyed Scholars report having a New Futures advisor improved their college experience🤝💯 #HigherEducation #CommunityColleges #EducationEquity

A staggering 65 percent of third- through eighth-graders in Fort Worth failed to meet minimum grade-level standards in core subjects such as reading, math, and science. This is nothing short of an educational catastrophe. Fort Worth mayor Mattie Parker captured the urgency when she said, “This moment calls for visionary, student-centered leadership that sets ambitious goals, crafts a strategic plan for academic excellence, and ensures every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely.” We couldn’t agree more. Even more troubling, this failure rate marks a one percentage-point drop in proficiency from the previous year, underscoring a worrying trend in student achievement that is raising alarms among local leaders. Even the highest-performing city council district (district 10) saw just 49 percent of students meeting basic grade-level academic standards. Mayor Parker, in a letter addressed to the school-board members, pointed out Fort Worth’s consistent underperformance compared with other major Texas districts. For example, Fort Worth students trail eleven percentage points behind those in Dallas, 14 points behind Houston, and 18 points behind Brownsville. Those numbers starkly illustrate the need to reimagine our approach to education and embrace bold, transformative policies that empower parents and recognize the unique needs of every student.  Our CEO Lisa Nelson dove into this crucial issue in a National Review OpEd she coauthored with famed economist Stephen Moore. Read their OpEd at https://lnkd.in/gcAy4z4w #Education #Texas #Freedom

Why High School Students should take Dual Studies classes... Get an advantage: Learn to handle college-level work Minimize debt: Keep college costs down More aid: Get scholarships only available in high school Advance: Earn credits now and possibly earn a degree faster https://lnkd.in/g26r_uWd

A worthy topic to read and consider. "Federal government should stay out of homeschool education Federal oversight would not improve education outcomes, Christian homeschooling program CEO says." What do you think? "Homeschooling debate heats up! A new article cites NHERI research, arguing against federal oversight of homeschooling. The CEO of a Christian homeschooling program claims government intervention won't improve education outcomes. What's your take on this hot topic? NHERI’s research is cited in "Federal government should stay out of homeschool education Federal oversight would not improve education outcomes, Christian homeschooling program CEO says." -NHERI https://lnkd.in/eqHt6SjZ

Do you know where the top-rated schools in Connecticut are? For many young and growing families, choosing the right school district is crucial when purchasing a home. Sure, you might know a few standout schools across the state. But having a comprehensive list of top-performing schools can help you make a more informed decision about the best area for your family. This article by Rich Kirby on Patch.com does just that! It outlines the 50 best public schools in Connecticut, offering insights into what makes each one exceptional. Want to know more about the best schools near you? Check out the full list and start exploring your options! https://lnkd.in/e69hxxbN

The latest memo in our Policy Pillars series highlights Tennessee’s strong foundation of research-based literacy strategies. These foundational policies have yielded record-breaking ELA student outcomes, with our third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students making significant proficiency gains since the pandemic declines of 2021 and even surpassing 2019’s previous highs. Students who aren’t reading on grade level by third grade have a harder time catching up, meaning fewer opportunities for success in life. We must continue to advance and evaluate these foundational policies so that all Tennessee students are prepared for success. Read the memo: https://ow.ly/6OHG50STkGx

WHY ISN'T IT MORE AFFORDABLE TO BUY A HOME IN CENTRAL INDIANA? The simple answer is because of demand. So why is demand so high one might ask? Because we have great schools in Central Indiana. Public Schools 4 out of the top 10 public schools in the ENTIRE STATE are in Central Indiana! 8 of the top 15 public schools are in Central Indiana. Almost half of the top 20 public schools are in Central Indiana. Private Schools 3 out of the top 5 private schools in Indiana are in Central Indiana! 5 of the top 10 private schools are here. Just over half of the top 15 private schools are in Central Indiana (8 of 15). *Based on info from Niche.com https://lnkd.in/dsgDiHCc