El Centro College
Student success is of paramount importance to El Centro College. With Achieving the Dream, the college will:
- Focus all stakeholders on a set of college-wide goals for student success
- Measure success with consistent processes that use data
- Improve success rates of new students in developmental courses through Mandatory New Student Orientation, Supplemental Instruction, Faculty Advising, and the College Readiness Initiative employing developmental education, K-14 strategies, Student Success Course, and tutoring
- Increase retention rates for those students enrolled in developmental courses using Faculty Advising, Supplemental Instruction, and the College Readiness Initiative
Through El Centro’s bridge program, students can complete their developmental work over the summer and start the fall semester in college-level courses. The Student Success Course seems to increase retention and college success, and by requiring group tutoring outside of class, the idea that studying is required for success should be instilled in the students.
The college currently uses student unit data for two initiatives. The Committee on Institutional Effectiveness assesses instructional and support areas using quantitative and qualitative indicators of performance. The Honing Outcomes and Learning Assessment Committee (HOLA) employs student learning outcomes at the course, discipline, program, and college levels.
El Centro College, the first institution established in the Dallas County Community College District, was established in 1966 in the central business district of Dallas. The urban, multicultural college now has two additional campuses and a center. In 2009, it had 9,070 students; 71% were students of color, including at least 30% Hispanic. The college is a Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution.
Student success initiatives in place at the college include a required freshman experience course; an Adult Resource Center supporting students who are single and/or disadvantaged parents; African-American and Hispanic male-mentoring programs; a Welcome Center; an early alert system with mentors and coaches; and individual and group tutoring. Of the students entering the college in 2009 71% were referred to developmental math, 47% to developmental English, and 41% to developmental reading.
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.
