Inequities within our society that have persisted over decades have never been more evident than in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated the digital divide for learners and has laid bare the challenges that todays college students face around ensuring their basic needs are met. In addition to the pandemic, racial injustice in America further highlights the need to eliminate equity gaps.
Like a flash of lightning in the night, the pandemic revealed all the cracks and fissures hidden in the landscape and gave us a stark and unsparing look at the cavernous wealth and attainment gap before us in our Black and Brown urban communities, in the immigrant communities of our gateway cities and in our poor, white communities in the rural regions, Dr. Pam Eddinger, president of Bunker Hill Community College, said in the recent Dallas Herring lecture, entitled Insights from the Pandemic: The Reckoning and the Hope at Our Nations Community Colleges.
To reduce inequities within our society, we have to address the root causes of these disparities. And while there are many potential solutions, wide-open access to education has long been a hallmark of the American dream though one that is not realized for Black, Latinx, and Native American populations. North Carolinas Career and College Promise program provides college coursework through the local community college to high school juniors and seniors. Career and College Promise increases access to the states higher education pipeline and has the potential to reduce college attainment gaps.
Community colleges can be a catalyst for this needed change given their open access missions, embedded nature within the community, and credential programs intended to meet the needs of lifelong learners and the local workforce. North Carolinas Community College System (NCCCS) is uniquely positioned to achieve these aims. The 58 community colleges within NCCCS were specifically designed to be within 30 minutes of any North Carolinian, and my research confirms this is true for more than 99% of residents. Simply being located near a community college reduces barriers to access because a prospective student does not have to travel far and is likely to have more familiarity with their local college.
Another benefit of having community colleges embedded locally across the state is the partnerships between the college and the K-12 schools. These partnerships can lead to early and increased exposure for K-12 students to the college environment. Many of North Carolinas community colleges conduct campus tours as early as eighth grade, community colleges are home to Early College High Schools, and most importantly, community colleges provide opportunities for high school students to earn college credit through the Career and College Promise program.
Within Career and College Promise, there are two pathways for students to choose from. The first is the College Transfer Pathway which consists primarily of general education courses meant to transfer to one of the University of North Carolina System (UNC) institutions. That pathway is governed by the states Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA). The CAA is a joint effort between NCCCS and the UNC System and it establishes the foundation of course transfer between the two systems with the goal of increasing students degree completion through maximizing applicability of credit. While the agreement is not perfect, the CAA establishes the necessary structure and organization around successful between-system transfer. The second pathway is Career and Technical Education meant to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and credentials to enter the workforce.
The goal of Career and College Promise is to increase the number of completed associate and bachelors degrees for North Carolinas residents by providing early access to college while a student is in high school. Early access to college allows students to try on college while in the more familiar environment of high school. Students are able to practice their new time management skills, study skills, and experience the academic rigors of college with the added support often offered by faculty and staff. College courses taken early in high school that apply to students associate and bachelors degrees also save students valuable time and money as they pursue higher education.
While these benefits are common across many dual enrollment programs, North Carolina takes further steps to broaden access. For instance, the North Carolina state legislature has recognized the value of creating a pipeline into and through postsecondary education and covers the cost of tuition for the Career and College Promise. This funding allows students to take advantage of the program without fewer financial constraints.
There are costs such as transportation, books, and supplies which are not covered by the program. However, tuition is the largest college expense, making it an important factor when thinking about how to reach low-income and historically underserved students. Career and College Promise is offered statewide, further reducing geographic barriers in access to education.
Further, the legislature has funded career coaches who are professional staff members that help high school students explore their college and career options. Community colleges across the state also have designated Career and College Promise liaisons who facilitate the delivery of the program. These factors combined not only promise to cover tuition but open the promise of a college education to many students who may not have considered going to college otherwise.
The benefits of Career and College Promise extend beyond increasing student access to higher education. In my own research, I found that students who participated in the program in 2015-2016 and/or 2016-2017 had a higher probability of enrolling in a North Carolina community college after high school, had higher persistence rates, had higher community college graduation rates, and had a higher college GPA when compared to students who did not participate in the program. The Career and College Promise program has all of the right components: free tuition, broad accessibility, support for students, and participation is associated with positive educational outcomes. As of the 2019-20 academic year, the program enrolls more than 70,000 students across the state.
While the foundation of the program is firmly established and there is broad support and participation in the program, Career and College Promise is not equitably reaching populations of students that are historically underserved in higher education. Relative to all North Carolina 10th graders in the 2014-2015 academic year, students who go on to participate in the College Transfer Pathway are more likely to be female (63% compared to 50%) and white (76% to 56%), to speak English at home (93% compared to 86%), and to have a higher high school GPA (4.0 on average, compared to 3.2).
In another aspect of my research that focuses specifically on historically underrepresented students, it is apparent that students that meet these criteria are more likely to participate in the Career and Technical Education Pathway. Relative to their counterparts in the College Transfer Pathway, students in the Career and Technical Education Pathway are more likely to be Black (20% compared to 11%), Latinx (11% compared to 6%), to be economically disadvantaged (48% compared to 30%) and to speak Spanish at home (11% compared to 5%).
Given we know that Black, Latinx, and low-income students are among the groups of students least likely to access higher education, it is important that state-wide marketing, recruitment, and retention policy focus on these populations so that North Carolinas College Transfer Pathway provides postsecondary opportunities for students who may not already be college-bound. The postsecondary pipeline from the high schools through the community colleges and to the universities in North Carolina is strong, and Career and College Promise has already opened access to more than 27% of high school graduates across the state.
However, for North Carolina to fully realize the potential impact of Career and College Promise on postsecondary attainment, to reduce inequities and close postsecondary attainment gaps, the program must provide equitable access for Black, Latinx, and Native American populations.
Sarah A. Deal, Ph. D. is a research affiliate at the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research. Deal researches topics including dual enrollment, college access, and rural student success. Deal focuses on policy and practitioner-relevant research, leveraging her 10 years of experience working in higher education within North Carolina, most recently with the North Carolina Community College System. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy and Human Development in 2020 at North Carolina State University and is a Lead Consultant with DVP-PRAXIS LTD.
More here:
Career and College Promise in NC: Room for growth - EdNC
- Texas wide receiver room bolstered with addition of Oregon State's Silas Bolden - HornSports - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Seattle Kraken vs New York Rangers: Preview, time, and where to watch - Davy Jones Locker Room - February 11th, 2023 [February 11th, 2023]
- Texas and Oklahoma are joining the SEC in 2024. What does that mean for Mizzous football schedules without d - Rock M Nation - February 11th, 2023 [February 11th, 2023]
- Ravens need to get creative' to add proven WR for Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens Blog- ESPN - ESPN - February 11th, 2023 [February 11th, 2023]
- SEC Network Prepares for the Postseason with 30+ Hours of ... - ESPN Press Room - December 22nd, 2022 [December 22nd, 2022]
- Michael Irvin says T.Y. Hilton will improve Cowboys chemistry - The Dallas Morning News - December 22nd, 2022 [December 22nd, 2022]
- Alomere Health in Alexandria gets green light for therapy pool addition - Echo Press - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- Grading the outside linebacker addition in the 2022 recruiting class - Badgers Wire - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- 'I don't know if we would have woken up if it wasn't for her': Young Cotulla girl credited with saving family from fire - KENS5.com - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- The Easiest Side Hustles To Get Started With in 2022 - GOBankingRates - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- Harmony Hall Village: A Piece of History in White Oak BladenOnline.com - BladenOnline.com - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- Beardmore: Wait for bids on Rec Center before making final call - Carroll Daily Times Herald - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- Packers cornerback Chandon Sullivan on Clubhouse Live: 'I'm just so fortunate to be on this team' - Packers News - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- From a Burger King to a Concert Hall, With Help From Frank Gehry - The New York Times - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- EVERYONE WANTS A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS - Florida Keys Weekly - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- [Top 5 Medical News in 2021] Korea, the only country to mandate cameras in operating rooms - Korea Biomedical Review - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- Bengals depleted defense looks to add to impressive run by stopping impressive runs - The Athletic - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- Franklin Street dining scene to gain 2 new additions: 105 Social and The Vine | ClarksvilleNow.com - Clarksville Now - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- Triangle Startup Guides growing information lineup adds more info to close 2021 - WRAL TechWire - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- 5 Unexpected Sources of Retirement Income - The Motley Fool - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- Celebrate Our Automotive Heroes With Us at Our Upcoming California Cars & Coffee - RoadandTrack.com - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- New farm-to-table restaurant Chez Baccus sprouting this spring on Fourth Street the Hi-lo - Long Beach Post - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- Timothy Ubben, investment executive and philanthropist who helped low-income students go to college, dies at 84 - Chicago Tribune - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- Examining Michigan's WR Room Following The Addition Of Daylen Baldwin - Rivals.com - Michigan - June 16th, 2021 [June 16th, 2021]
- Italian the perfect addition for Tottenham Hotspur midfield - Hotspur HQ - June 16th, 2021 [June 16th, 2021]
- The Pros and Cons of Wet Bathrooms - BobVila.com - June 16th, 2021 [June 16th, 2021]
- Bucs have a good problem in their running back room - Bucs Nation - June 16th, 2021 [June 16th, 2021]
- With 'some plays that didn't go our way,' Tua Tagovailoa opens Miami Dolphins minicamp with five interceptions and film to study - ESPN - June 16th, 2021 [June 16th, 2021]
- New Norwell library officially opens at triple the size of its predecessor - The Patriot Ledger - June 16th, 2021 [June 16th, 2021]
- Houston Methodist uses AI brain ultrasound to reduce open heart surgery complications - Healthcare IT News - June 16th, 2021 [June 16th, 2021]
- Spectrum Health Zeeland expansion project to be completed by end of year - Fox17 - June 16th, 2021 [June 16th, 2021]
- Puzzle Break Leads The Future Of Professional Development In Virtual Escape Rooms - Business Wire - June 16th, 2021 [June 16th, 2021]
- The 21 Best Restaurants in Aspen, Colorado - Eater Denver - June 16th, 2021 [June 16th, 2021]
- Where to Go for an Authentic Dude Ranch Experience in California - AFAR Media - June 16th, 2021 [June 16th, 2021]
- Darius Slayton has more-the-merrier mindset about Giants receiver additions - AL.com - June 16th, 2021 [June 16th, 2021]
- Predicting potential training camp cuts for the Bucs - Bucs Nation - June 16th, 2021 [June 16th, 2021]
- GMDAs flood control room to be functional by this week - Hindustan Times - June 16th, 2021 [June 16th, 2021]
- Many disaster-related hotel stays should have been tax exempt - Newnan Times-Herald - June 16th, 2021 [June 16th, 2021]
- Award-winning Writer David Dennis Jr. Joins The Undefeated as Senior Writer - ESPN Press Room - June 16th, 2021 [June 16th, 2021]
- Harrah's Las Vegas Unveils A $200 Million Renovation, Including Enhanced Accommodations, Casino Floor And More Hospitality Net - Hospitality Net - June 16th, 2021 [June 16th, 2021]
- Utah's Whittingham Ready For The "Complete Rebuild" In Quarterback Room - Sports Illustrated - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- One Wall Street's Residential Conversion and Addition Continues in the Financial District - New York YIMBY - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- EL-based non-profit sees growth through pandemic - The Review - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- West Concord makes the grade in history - PostBulletin.com - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Check Out the Secret Room in This Renovated Concord Home - Boston magazine - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Green Bay Packers Cut em or Keep em & Prediction: Preston Smith - Dairyland Express - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Adrian Phillips plugged some holes and was a valuable addition to Patriots secondary - The Boston Globe - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- ETHS Foundation to Host WILD FOR ETHS Celebration - Evanston RoundTable - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- VOICES OF INEQUITY: How unfair school funding looks at the ground level - The Mercury - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- EMS building project attracts nearly 100 bids - The Monroe Sun - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Lund Center Project to Break Ground This Spring - Gustavus Adolphus College News - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Adding two County Council members will cost more than $1.9M - BethesdaMagazine.com - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- ESPN Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary of The Jump on February 18 - ESPN Press Room - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- BTS: After V and Jimin, J-Hope's heartening addition to ARMY room makes excitement for BE (Essential Edition) - Bollywood Life - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Fort Madison toddler was hospitalized the first 946 days of his life. Then a kidney transplant opened his world. - Burlington Hawk Eye - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Adrian Salvation Army adds storage space to thrift store - The Daily Telegram - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Game Room and Gaming Club Partner in Hosting Their Second Annual Extra Life Gaming Marathon - The Whit Online - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- [PODCAST] Diversity in ADR and Creating Access to Justice - JD Supra - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- New to the menu during COVID-19: Virtual eateries - Akron Beacon Journal - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Sunstone Hotel Investors Announces The Sale Of The 502-Room Renaissance Los Angeles Airport For $91.5 Million - PRNewswire - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- Luther Haven renovations on the horizon - Monte News - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- 'Elf' fans can stay in a hotel suite inspired by Buddy the Elf - CNN - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- On the record December 9 - Seymour Tribune - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- Introducing the Forrest Sequoia the First Forrest Lamp from NFL Standout Forrest Lamp and Lamps Plus - Furniture Today - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- Samsungs 110-inch MicroLED TV brings The Wall to your living room - TechHive - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- $400,000 Homes in Georgia, Ohio and West Virginia - The New York Times - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- Two Residents of Rosewood Villa Find Love in an Unexpected Place - whatcomtalk.com - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- GLADIATOR DIESEL IS A WELCOME ADDITION TO JEEP LINEUP - Osprey Observer - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- Video chat options for staying connected are more than Zoom - Norton Healthcare - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- Game Review: "The Haunted Mansion: Call of the Spirits" from Funko Games - LaughingPlace.com - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- Breaking News - Peacock Orders More Episodes of Timely and Topical Late-Night Series "The Amber Ruffin Show" - The Futon Critic - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- Home invasion suspect caught after victim whispers call for help to 911 - WCVB Boston - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- Newly Upgraded The Domain Hotel Offers Modern Accommodations For Work Or Play In The Heart Of Silicon Valley - Hospitality Net - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- 49ers film room: Are the criticisms of Shanahan fair? Looking at the Rams game for answers - Niners Nation - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]
- Take in the many benefits of houseplants - Valley News - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]
- Is There Still Room for Zoom Stock to Boom? - Motley Fool - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]
- Joe Human's Dramatic Guest Bedroom and Home Office Makeover - HouseBeautiful.com - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]
- 7 Ways to Celebrate the Season in Salem This Year - nshoremag.com - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]
- ESPN Activates MegaCast Production for NFL Wild Card Presentation; Most-Extensive Multi-Channel NFL Playoff Game Offering to Date - ESPN Press Room - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]
- The Royal Family Decorated Windsor Castle for Christmas, and It Looks Stunning - TownandCountrymag.com - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]