Education

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Written by: Editor

Published: 10 April 2013

SACRAMENTO – California Community Colleges Chancellor Brice W. Harris on Tuesday released Student Success Scorecards that detail student outcomes at all 112 colleges using a variety of metrics that are presented in a clear and concise way and make the nation’s largest system of higher education also the most accountable.

The scorecards give college-by-college views of student performance and were a major recommendation of the Student Success Task Force.

The scorecard, which can be found at http://scorecard.cccco.edu and on local college Web sites, enables users to easily track a college’s certificate and degree attainment and transfer rates, persistence rates and “momentum points,” such as the completion of 30 units, which is typically considered to be the halfway mark to transferring to a four-year institution as a junior or completing an associate degree.

“This new set of performance metrics makes the California Community Colleges the most transparent and accountable system of public higher education in the nation and is designed to help more students achieve their educational goals,” Harris said. “The scorecard results make it clear how important preparation for college is to student success. If students come to college well prepared they complete certificates and degrees or transfer at rates exceeding 70 percent. And for the first time, colleges will have clear data regarding student success by race, ethnicity, gender and age to help them focus on closing performance gaps.”

Development of the scorecard is one of a series of steps taken by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors to increase the number of students who earn certificates and degrees or transfer to four-year institutions.

“With President Obama’s call to have 5 million more associate degree holders by 2020, the scorecard will help us see what is working in California and what needs improvement,” said Manuel Baca, president of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. “This will lead to increased student success and ultimately it will help the nation reach its ambitious, yet certainly attainable, goal.”

Students, parents, community leaders and policy makers can use the scorecard to track the rate of students transferring to four-year institutions and completing certificates and degrees. The scorecard also measures how effectively colleges move students through remedial and career technical instruction.

“We have been talking about student success at Diablo Valley College for many years now, but we don’t always share a common understanding of what student success means,” said Diablo Valley College President Peter Garcia. “The scorecard will give us a common language and a common measure, so when we initiate new projects to support student success we will be able to look for a change in the scorecard and know for certain if we are focusing our energy and resources on the things that will make a meaningful difference. I anticipate that the scorecard will become an important part of our ongoing dialogue.”

Each college will be compared against its own past performance rather than statewide averages or artificially created peer groups. The scorecard will be built on the existing Accountability Reporting for Community Colleges (ARCC), the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office statewide data collection and reporting system.

“Pierce College has a long and rich tradition of supporting student success,” said Los Angeles Pierce College Vice President of Academic Affairs Anna Davies. “We're proud our scorecard data reflects students are reaching educational goals and believe making this information available to students and our community will continue to facilitate student progress and completion.”

The Student Success Scorecard is part of the California Community Colleges Student Success Initiative, which is vital to state’s economy. Studies show jobs requiring at least an associate degree are projected to grow twice as fast as those requiring no college experience and, graduating from a community college doubles an individual’s chance of finding a job compared to those who failed to complete high school.

“Two-thirds of all jobs in California by 2018 will require some level of college education, and our local and regional businesses depend on an educated workforce to be successful in the global economy,” said Contra Costa Council CEO Linda Best. “We count on community colleges to prepare our future workforce in so many areas, and this new student scorecard can help us focus on common language and metrics to achieve that goal.”

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation. It is composed of 72 districts and 112 colleges serving 2.4 million students per year.

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Written by: Editor

Published: 06 April 2013

UKIAH, Calif. – Mendocino College is adding an additional 177 course sections to the 2013 Summer Schedule, an increase of almost double over last year’s schedule.  

Thanks to all of the voters who helped pass Proposition 30 in November, the college is restoring courses it was forced to cut due to state-mandated budget reductions.  

“College staff have specifically focused on adding the courses needed by students to transfer to a four-year university, to complete degrees or certificates at Mendocino College to prepare for college such as courses in English, basic skills, math and ESL,” said Virginia Guleff, vice president of education and student services.

Courses will be added in English, math, science, social science, physical education, welding, dance, art, music, sustainable technology and business.  

In addition, a Native American Bridge program and Summer Math Institute are planned.   

The complete summer course schedule, which includes 293 course sections, can be viewed online at the college Web site.

Many of the additional classes will be offered in the afternoon, evening, online and at the new Lake Center Campus on Parallel Drive in Lakeport.  

Mendocino College officials suggest that students begin planning now for summer school as certain course sections fill quickly.   

According to Guleff, “Human Anatomy, a required course for many students pursuing a career in nursing or a degree in the sciences, will fill up within the first day or two of registration.”  

Students who are planning to enroll in summer school should complete their application for admission online at www.mendocino.edu .

Priority registration for the summer program begins on April 15 with open registration for all students on April 23.  

For more information about enrolling at Mendocino College, visit admissions and records at http://www.mendocino.edu/tc/pg/2001/admissions_and_records.html , by phone at 707-468-3101or email questions to them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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Written by: Editor

Published: 05 April 2013

UKIAH, Calif. – The Mendocino College Financial Aid Office has surpassed another milestone with the disbursement of financial aid checks last week.

The total dollar amount of enrollment fees waived, grants, loans, scholarships and work study checks disbursed to Mendocino College students in Ukiah, Lakeport and Willits has exceeded $9 million for this academic year.

“Financial aid is its own federal stimulus package,” said Assistant Dean Jacque Bradley.

She added, “It is a win-win. Students get assistance with their education, and the community gets a more educated work force.”

This money is spent in the communities where the students live. They pay rent, buy gas and groceries, go to an occasional movie, eat out, buy clothes and pay for car repairs. The whole community benefits from the College’s efforts to provide financial assistance in support of education.

Bradley indicated that one of the misconceptions about the nine million dollars is that it is all loans.

She is quick to point out that her staff discourages students from taking a loan while at a community college.

There are a few exceptions. Studies have shown that if a student attempts to attend college full time while working full time, their GPA suffers.

Nursing students find it difficult to work and meet the rigorous requirements of practicums and study. Students with a bachelor’s degree who are returning to college for a career change cannot receive Pell Grants, and they rely heavily on loans.  

Even with these exceptions, less than 3 percent of Mendocino College students request a loan.

As a reentry student herself – Bradley received her BA at the age of 50 – she understands the difference financial aid can make in providing additional support for students. “My staff works hard to get as much aid as possible to our students.”

Financial aid students must do their part as well. They must enroll in classes that support their educational goal, and they must maintain a “C” average or better.

Mendocino College is an excellent place for a high school graduate to start their education. Whether they want to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD, they can start at Mendocino College and get a great undergraduate education without the high price tag. Then students can transfer to a four-year college such as Cal, UC Davis or Sonoma State to complete their degree.

Students who wish to pursue a certificate in business, sustainable technology, culinary arts, nursing, automotive technology, drug and alcohol studies, or human services worker can find excellent programs and additional opportunities at Mendocino College.

Starting at a community college allows students to develop study skills and explore careers in classrooms that are taught by highly educated, experienced and caring faculty. Receiving financial aid is an appealing added bonus.

For more information about Financial Aid at Mendocino College, contact Jacque Bradley at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-468-3110.