MDRC Higher Education Publications

Learning Communities for Students in Developmental English: Impact Studies at Merced College and The Community College of Baltimore County

Two colleges implemented semester-long learning communities linking developmental English with a range of other courses. At Merced, learning communities students earned more developmental English credits and passed more English courses than a control group. At CCBC, there were no meaningful impacts on students credit attempts or progress. Neither colleges program had an impact on persistence or on cumulative credits earned.

Serving Community College Students on Probation: Four-Year Findings from Chaffey Colleges Opening Doors Program

This program included a College Success course and offered enhanced counseling. A change from optional to required services led to increased program participation, and the new program decreased the percentage on academic probation after the two program semesters. Nevertheless, after four years, the program had no discernible effect on academic outcomes.

Getting Ready for College : An Implementation and Early Impacts Study of Eight Texas Developmental Summer Bridge Programs

For entering college students with low basic skills, eight intensive summer programs provided accelerated instruction in math, reading, and/or writing; academic support; a college knowledge component; and the opportunity to receive a $400 stipend. Early results suggest that participants were more likely to pass entry-level college courses in math and writing.

Issue Focus: Top 10 Most Popular MDRC Publications in 2011

In 2011, MDRC published nearly 40 publications on programs affecting low-income Americans in all realms of education and social policy: education from preschool to postsecondary, workforce development, family relationships, youth development, welfare programs, early childhood, health and disability, and more.

Issue Focus: Behind the Study: Voices from MDRCs Performance-Based Scholarship Demonstration in New Mexico

Being part of VISTA was a stress-reliever it made me feel better about studying, about going to class, and about doing things outside of class that I need to do.

A performance-based scholarship recipient at the University of New Mexico

Issue Focus: Behind the Study: Voices from MDRCs Performance-Based Scholarship Demonstration in Ohio

I got out of high school. I had two babies. I supported myself with waitressing, and I just got fed up with it. That doesnt make enough money for the things that I wanted for myself and for my kids. So I decided to come back to school to get a more stable jobto be able to have moneyand the things that we wanted.

A performance-based scholarship recipient at a community college in Ohio

VIDEO: Paying for Persistence: A Unique Scholarship Program to Increase Student Success at Community Colleges

In this seven-minute video, MDRC researcher Lashawn Richburg-Hayes summarizes promising findings about a performance-based scholarship that boosted academic achievement and retention rates at two New Orleans-area community colleges.

Fast Fact: Can Summer Bridge Programs Narrow the College Readiness Gap?

Fast Fact: Enhancing Developmental Education in Community College: Can It Improve Students Language and Math Skills?

Fast Fact: Does Education Increase Economic Mobility?