Achieving the Dream is dedicated to helping community colleges better serve their students, so more students will meet their academic and career goals. The 35 participating colleges are being open and forthright about their current performance and doing what it takes to improve it. They are working to improve student achievement by making lasting changes in their own practices and culture.

Colleges begin by examining student outcomes in an open, straightforward and rigorous way. They involve faculty, students, staff and the larger -

community in developing and implementing strategies to improve student achievement. They will closely monitor their progress and share their findings broadly. Over time, the colleges will generate new knowledge about practices and policies that enhance student success.

• Core Commitments of Participating Colleges 
  Achieving the Dream colleges should be commended for having the courage to be open and straightforward about their current performance and taking bold action to improve it. Participating colleges have made specific commitments to improve student achievement.
  
  
• Values that Guide Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count 
  This powerpoint presentation from the Summer 2005 Achieving the Dream Institute summarizes the values and principles that guide colleges' work in the initiative.
  
  
• Process for Institutional Change in Achieving the Dream 
  The Achieving the Dream process for institutional transformation presupposes a college has certain characteristics and commitments. Its leadership must be strongly and visibly committed to the goal of increasing student success. It must be willing to undertake a process of honest self-examination.