The topic area focuses on community colleges, which are public, two-year postsecondary institutions. The studies in this topic area examine the effectiveness of community college policies and programs that are intended to improve academic persistence, degree/certificate completion, and labor market outcomes. The topic area focuses on linked learning communities, accelerated learning, and paid performance incentive programs. The topic area also focuses on community college bridge programs for students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), workforce program partnerships, and community-college based interventions intended to improve employment and earning outcomes and the attainment of industry-recognized certificates, certifications and credentials.
Community College
Status: Literature reviewed in this topic area currently covers 1994 - 2019.
Synthesis Reports
Synthesis reports look at the research evidence across studies within a topic area. They also highlight gaps in the literature, and suggest areas in which further research is needed.
Recently Added
CLEAR searches the existing literature for research relevant to this topic area's focus. Browse the most recently reviewed research below.
Study Type: Causal Impact Analysis
The study’s objective was to examine the impact of the two-semester Enhanced Opening Doors program at Chaffey Community College near Los Angeles, California. Students in the Enhanced Opening Doors…Study Type: Causal Impact Analysis
The study’s objective was to examine the impact of learning communities on academic progression, persistence, and credit accumulation among students in need of developmental math courses at…Study Type: Causal Impact Analysis
The study’s objective was to examine the impact of the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) on success in college-level English courses (ENGL 101…Study Type: Causal Impact Analysis
The study’s objective was to examine the impact of learning communities on credits earned, persistence, and course completion among students in need of developmental reading courses at Hillsborough…Study Type: Causal Impact Analysis
This study’s objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of learning communities as an alternative pedagogical format for students enrolled in developmental reading and English composition courses…Study Type: Causal Impact Analysis
The study’s objective was to examine the impact of a learning community on the retention of community college students enrolled in developmental reading and writing and a social science course at…Study Type: Causal Impact Analysis
The study’s objective was to examine the impact of the Opening Doors program at Lorain County Community College and Owens Community College in Ohio. The Opening Doors program at these schools…Study Type: Causal Impact Analysis
The study’s objective was to examine the impact of the Opening Doors and Enhanced Opening Doors programs at Chaffey Community College in California on progress toward completing a degree. Students…Study Type: Causal Impact Analysis
The study’s objective was to examine the impact of the Opening Doors program at Delgado Community College and Louisiana Technical College-West Jefferson in New Orleans, Louisiana, on progress toward…Study Type: Causal Impact Analysis
The study’s objective was to examine the impact of learning community developmental math courses on college retention and credit hours earned at Middle Tennessee State University. The study used…
CLEAR Icon Key
Below is a key for icons used to indicate important details about a study, such as its type, evidence rating, and outcome findings.
High Causal Evidence
Strong evidence the effects are caused by the examined intervention.
Moderate Causal Evidence
Evidence that the effects are caused to some degree by the examined intervention.
Low Causal Evidence
Little evidence that the effects are caused by the examined intervention.
Causal Impact Analysis
Uses quantitative methods to assess the effectiveness of a program, policy, or intervention.
Descriptive Analysis
Describes a program, policy, or intervention using qualitative or quantitative methods.
Implementation Analysis
Examines the implementation of a program, policy, or intervention.
Favorable
The study found at least one favorable impact in the outcome domain, and no unfavorable impacts.
Mixed
The study found some favorable and some unfavorable impacts in the outcome domain.
None
The study found no statistically significant impacts in the outcome domain.
Unfavorable
The study found at least one unfavorable impact in the outcome domain, and no favorable impacts.
Not applicable
Not applicable because no outcomes were examined in the outcome domain.
Favorable - low evidence
The study found at least one favorable impact in the outcome domain, and no unfavorable impacts. The study received a low causal evidence ratings so these findings should be interpreted with caution.
Mixed - low evidence
The study found some favorable and some unfavorable impacts in the outcome domain. The study received a low causal evidence ratings so these findings should be interpreted with caution.
None - low evidence
The study found no statistically significant impacts in the outcome domain. The study received a low causal evidence ratings so these findings should be interpreted with caution.
Unfavorable - low evidence
The study found at least one unfavorable impact in the outcome domain, and no favorable impacts. The study received a low causal evidence ratings so these findings should be interpreted with caution.