Donna Carney

EDLD 8434: The Community College

Spring Semester 2015
ABSTRACT CRITIQUE
Topic: Free Community College Plans
Source Title:
Author(s)/Editor(s): Katherine Mangan
Chapter/Article Title: Where Free-Community College Plans May Prosper:
In the States
Journal/Book/Publication Title: chronicle.com
Publisher:
Volume/Issue:
Date: January 23, 2015
Page(s):
Website: www.chronicle.com/article/Where-Free-Community-College/151357/
Material Presented:
In President Obamas State of the Union speech last week, he proposed a $ 60
billion plan for two years of free community college training for everyone. The plan
would have the federal government covering the cost of three quarters of a students
education with the states covering the remainder of the cost of the two year plan.
The state of Tennessee has a program that will begin next fall called the
Tennessee Promise. The Tennessee Promise is a statewide program which will use lottery
funds to cover tuition costs for any of the states graduating high school seniors that wish
to attend a technical or community college. The city of Chicago announced a
community-college scholarship plan for high-school graduates that will also begin next
fall. To qualify for the Chicago scholarships, students must have a 3.0 GPA and not
require any remedial classes in English or Mathematics. Some officials believe only 15%
of the high-school graduates will qualify for the merit scholarship program. New Mexico
has a scholarship program which is funded by lottery proceeds. New Mexicos
scholarship may be used in community colleges as well as four-year public universities.
States must be careful when planning for their target market of students. If they
are only going to allow their program to be available to recent high-school graduates,
then a large number of people that would benefit will be left out. For the programs to be
successful, the colleges need the resources to accomplish the goal. The concept of free
community college education is a great one. Everyone would benefit from two years of
free education. It may not be helpful to others such as our career students. The main
problem will be in the area of creating a funding formula plan for the federal and state
governments. The folks paying income taxes will see an increase in tax bills. It will be
extremely difficult to determine the cost of this proposed program. The funding burden
will be especially difficult for states.

Donna Carney
EDLD 8434: The Community College
Spring Semester 2015
ABSTRACT CRITIQUE
Topic: Health Care Degrees
Source Title:
Author(s)/Editor(s): Ellie Ashford
Chapter/Article Title: Colleges worry about degree creep in health care
Journal/Book/Publication Title: Community College Daily
Publisher:
Volume/Issue:
Date: August 10, 2011
Page(s):
Website: www.ccdaily.com/Pages/Academic-Programs/Community-collegesconcerned-about-degree-creep-.aspx
Material Presented:
Different agencies are thinking of requiring nurses and respiratory therapists to
have a bachelors degree instead of accepting an associates degree. A similar situation
may be facing radiographers, dieticians, dental hygienists, and nuclear medicine
professionals. Degree creep has gained momentum recently because an Institute of
Medicine report called for 80% of the United States registered nurses to have bachelors
degrees by the year 2020. Studies have shown that nurses with associates and bachelors
degrees had comparable levels of expertise and passing rates on licensure exams. The
American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) is pushing for the new requirement
for respiratory therapists. AARC feels the job is now more complex and requires a
greater depth of thinking than before. AARC is not a supporter of two year college
degrees. If the new requirement is adopted, then other accrediting agencies will likely
step in to accredit the associate degree respiratory programs.
If the accrediting agency requires that respiratory therapists obtain a bachelors
degree instead of an associates degree, it could be detrimental to community colleges. It
would also increase the costs of health care. Revenue at community colleges will be
reduced due to fewer students. There are few colleges that offer bachelors degrees in
respiratory therapy. Even though core classes may be taken at community colleges, I feel
students will be discouraged from completing a bachelors degree in respiratory therapy
due to financial constraints or by the location of four year colleges. If respiratory
therapists are being taught what is necessary (in the community colleges) to be a
respiratory therapist, I do not see why any changes should be made to the educational
format. The accrediting agency may wish to make changes and could add an incentive by
attaching a specialty to the licensure for students who complete bachelors degree
programs.

Donna Carney
EDLD 8434: The Community College
Spring Semester 2015
ABSTRACT CRITIQUE
Topic: Completion Programs
Source Title:
Author(s)/Editor(s): Heather Boerner
Chapter/Article Title: Built to Scale
Journal/Book/Publication Title: Community College Journal
Publisher: RR Donelley
Volume/Issue: Vol. 84. No. 18
Date: April/May 2014
Page(s): 46-52
Website: www.ccjournal-digital.com
Material Presented:
President Obama wishes for the U.S. colleges and universities to graduate 50%
more college students by the year 2020. Community colleges are attempting to meet the
goal set by the President. In a report prepared by the U.S. Department of Education, only
18% of community college students complete their programs and graduate in three years.
It has been shown that students who complete an associates degree are more likely to
earn a bachelors degree than those students who never earn a degree at a community
college. The goal is to increase outcomes of students. In order to attain the goal, we
must assist students close to graduating with the completion of the educational process in
community colleges. College educators and administrators must work together to come
up with new approaches to retaining students who will complete the educational process
and graduate.
It may be difficult to think about coming up with ideas to retain students to help
them complete their programs, but we have to accomplish this task. The President has set
a nationwide goal and community colleges will play a big part in reaching this goal.
States are being faced with new funding programs based upon the completion of degrees.
If the completion goals are not met, the higher education sector will suffer due to reduced
funding from state and federal governments. If the higher education sector does not
produce the needed graduates, the entire national economy will feel the effects.
Community colleges must do what is necessary to meet the requirements needed to make
sure our students are completing their programs of study and obtaining a degree.