The aim of this study is to examine and explore factors that impact the successful growth of student diversity at colleges and universities in the United States of America. Special emphasis is placed on America's five decade struggle since the 1970s to increase college access and success for underserved youth. The paper reviews select federal…

The purpose of this paper is to critically explore factors affecting Native Hawaiian college-going to reconceptualize and improve early college programs serving Native Hawaiians. Survey and focus group data from an internal evaluation of early college summer programs at the University of Hawai'i--West O'ahu (UHWO) provide insight into Native…

The integration of game-based techniques, Internet, and mobile phone technology in teaching has been adapted recently in classes as a Game-based Classroom Response System (GCRS). Game-based technological tools can make the learning environment more appealing for students, increase their learning perception and level of engagement. This…

This qualitative research study sought to understand the affordances and limitations of a systemic functional linguistics (SFL) approach to teaching composition at the community college level. The study took place over the course of a semester in two developmental college composition classes using the language of SFL to teach writing through…

Increasingly, obtaining a job that pays family-sustaining wages means getting a college degree or other postsecondary credential. However, according to the 2021 U.S. Census, only 31.5 percent of Texans ages 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)--the highest authority in the state…

This work builds upon the work of the Postsecondary Value Commission (PVC), a group founded in 2019 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Consisting of 30 leaders in higher education, including AASCU's former president Mildred García who served as co-chair, the PVC came together to answer the question "what is college worth?" by…

This edition of "Playing the Numbers" reports on recent trends in a few key measures related to postsecondary education. Among the trends examined will be key issues of educational attainment, participation, and finance and affordability. Moreover, given the critical role of the states in the delivery of postsecondary education, it will…

As the largest system of higher education in the nation, the California Community Colleges is uniquely positioned to help residents of all backgrounds improve their social and economic mobility and build a better future for themselves and their families. The 115 colleges serve more than 2.1 million students annually and transfer nearly 80,000 each…

College completion rates are low--nearly 40 percent of students do not earn a degree within six years of enrolling in college. Community college students face the highest hurdles--about 60 percent are without a degree six years after matriculating. Research has identified strategies that institutions can use to improve student success and degree…

There have been many practical obstacles for teachers to implement evidence-based educational technology, especially in STEM classrooms. By implementing learning principles related to Cognitive Load Theory, we developed an innovative Technology-Assisted Guided Learning (TAGL) approach and its web-based instructional tool, combining expertise from…

College culture centers are safe havens for underrepresented students, yet we know little about them. Through a survey with open- and closed-ended questions, this exploratory study examined the experiences and learning of 9 out of 11 college students who completed an academic course offered through a Latino Cultural Center (LCC). Through analysis…

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are far reaching and are likely to impact on practically every area of government policy for a long time to come. The policy landscape is shifting rapidly, with changes coming not in days or weeks but often in hours. This briefing covers the Sutton Trust's immediate concerns, based on the information available,…

Test-only placement systems are associated with inaccurate placement determinations that can perpetuate college achievement gaps by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES). In response to the pitfalls of traditional, test-only placement systems, colleges across the country are increasingly experimenting with and adopting alternative…

Recruiting more female faculty has been suggested as a policy option for addressing gender disparities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields given its ability to engage female students through a role model effect. While a small but growing body of literature has examined the role of instructor gender at the higher…

College and career readiness is the standard for those who receive a high school diploma regardless of the method through which the credential is obtained. Approximately 60% of college freshman require remediation in either mathematics, reading or English. Mathematics remediation is needed for two-thirds of this population. Learners who enter…