Community colleges are known to some as the red-headed step-child of higher education. NBC is even playing the association to its advantage with its new series coming this fall, Community. But the fact is that community colleges have played a critical role in the U.S., serving 11.5 million students and almost half of all undergrads across the country.
Although community colleges are seeing an increase in student enrollment, that doesn't necessarily mean there's an increase in the graduation rate. As David Brooks notes in his recent op-ed, No Size Fits All, about half of community college students fail to earn a degree. Recognizing the important role that student services play in students' success, last week President Obama announced the American Graduation Initiative, which gives schools the funding they need to offer their students "wrap-around services."
We have found that twenty-somethings from every walk of life struggle with relationships, contraceptive use, pregnancy, and family formation. Based on what we've heard from community college students themselves, when faced with an unplanned pregnancy (they have seen it happen to their peers or it's happened to them personally), school ends up - understandably - on the back burner.
In fact, 61 percent of community college students who have children after enrolling don't finish their education; that's 65 percent higher than students who didn't have children after enrolling. Yet only two in ten students at 2-year schools report receiving information on pregnancy prevention from their school. The impact that unplanned pregnancy has on student retention should be on every college's radar, and we hope this new funding will give schools the ability to address it.
Students with less drama in their personal lives will be able to focus more on their academics. If their school can help students make healthier choices about relationships and family planning, the college can increase retention and graduation rates. For the rest of us, more community college graduates mean a prepared and productive workforce, resulting in a better economy. The President's new initiative is an important piece of the puzzle.
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