"Community college classes tougher to get in to," by Nanette Asimov
March 28, 2011 in the San Francisco Chronicle
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/28/BA6C1IJQD5.DTL&type=education
This article gives some pretty bleak numbers for those students in California who want to attend community college courses. It states that in California's 270 community colleges 47% of students surveyed reported that they could not get into one or more required classes last Fall term. It appears this trend will continue next Fall or even get worse.
Jack Scott, the chancellor of the community college system said that the problem is especially prevalent in California because of its 2.7 million c.c. students (largest enrollment in the nation). "Many, many students come to us and can't find the classes they need," Scott told the Assembly's budget subcommittee last month, estimating that 140,000 students were turned away last year. "We're as popular as we've ever been, so it's the best of times, and the worst of times."
While enrollment numbers continue to rise, and tuition prices rise as well, funding from the state, like most programs in California is being cut. The Pearson Foundation Community College Student Survey reports alot of interesting details about California's cc students, not the least of which being 90% of them are returning students and 60% of students have quit a class because of a professor. This story is relevant to all educators and students because with the economy in the state it is in many more students are taking the cc route to save money. If this avenue is closed, many people will not be able to afford school and miss out on that opportunity.
The Pearson Foundation Community College Student Survey will be posted on the foundation's website today, at www.pearsonfoundation.org.
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