Community College of Philadelphia
Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) is fully engaged in pursuing student success: in three years, the average fall-to-fall persistence rate for all first-time students has increased, with the highest percentage point increase being for African American students.
Through Achieving the Dream, CCP has identified broad-based interventions to improve student outcomes, including an early alert system, comprehensive student orientation, and faculty professional development. Achieving the Dream goals are a part of all institutional plans.
- The average fall-to-fall persistencerate for all first-time students increased by 5 percentage pointsfrom 2007 to 2010 across all racialand ethnic subgroups.
- The data collected at CCP fromFall 2007-Fall 2010 reflect some consistent, positive, and noteworthy improvements in persistence rates for specific groups of students at CCP, further showcasing the increase in average for all students.
CCP is the largest institution of higher education in Philadelphia, serving 19,000 undergraduates. Of the total student population in Fall 2009, 46% were black, 24% white, 6% Hispanic, and 5% Asian. In 2008-2009, 44% of all undergraduates at CCP received Pell grants. In addition, the majority of students that attend the college are not ready for college-level studies. Approximately half of entering students need developmental English, mathematics, and/or reading courses.
CCP is engaged in the cultural and industrial life of the city, maintaining a Center for Business and Industry, three Regional Center learning sites, and more than 20 neighborhood and corporate locations throughout the city. The college also offers a dual admissions program with eight area colleges and universities.
The college is undertaking a number of strategies to provide students with more resources and support for their success:
- Early Alert provides timely interventions for students who need to improve their classroom performance, and is designed to increase persistence and course success rates
- Peer Connection uses student peers to connect students who have been identified through Early Alert to campus resources
- The Center for Male Engagement, geared toward African American males, offers training in life skills and academic success strategies; support coaches track students’ academic progress and personal development
- Comprehensive Orientation provides incoming students with strategies for academic success, information on available resources and support programs, and help with registration
The Achieving the Dream Model
Achieving the Dream community colleges commit to our Student-Centered Model of Institutional Improvement. Based on four principles, the model frames the overall work of helping more students, particularly low- income students and students of color, stay in school and earn a college certificate or degree.
Each college approaches the work differently, but Achieving the Dream’s five-step process provides practical guidelines for keeping the focus where it belongs and building momentum over time. Throughout the process, Achieving the Dream coaches offer customized support and help each college’s core team implement data-informed programs and policies that build long-term, institution-wide commitment to student success.
Achieving the Dream Leader Colleges
Leader Colleges are demonstrating the power of the Achieving the Dream Student-Centered Model of Institutional Improvement. They show us it is possible to raise persistence and graduation rates, close achievement gaps, and change lives. Leader Colleges embody the ultimate goal of Achieving the Dream, and as such, serve as mentors within our community of learners.
To be eligible for Leader College distinction, colleges must show three or more years of improvement on one or more of these five measures:
- Course completion
- Advancement from developmental to credit-bearing courses
- Completion of college-level math and English courses
- Term-to-term and year-to-year retention
- Completion of certificates or degrees
