Lee College
Steady increases in the number of students completing developmental courses, transitioning to credit-bearing courses, and re-enrolling each semester are some of the many ways Lee College continues to demonstrate its commitment to Achieving the Dream.
Utilizing a student-centered approach driven by key performance indicators, Lee College has:
- Increased the success rate – defined as earning grade C or better – in developmental education courses from less than 40% in 2007 to almost 60% in 2010. During that time period, developmental education success rates for subgroups, including African American and Hispanic students, also increased.
- Increased the percentage of students who successfully complete gateway courses. The success rate in Math 1414 (College Algebra) increased from 47% in Spring 2007 to 59% in Spring 2011.
- Increased persistence rates among firsttime students. Approximately 70% of first-time Lee College students enroll in the second semester; 44% enroll in both the second and third semesters.
Additionally, 19% of the 2007 Achieving the Dream cohort completed a degree or certificate within three years compared to 11% of the 2003 Achieving the Dream cohort
Lee College serves a geographic area of more than 280,000 residents that includes the Goose Creek, Anahuac, Barbers Hill, East Chambers, Hardin, Huffman, Hull-Daisetta, and Liberty Independent School Districts.
The college’s main campus is located in Baytown, Texas. The third largest city in the Houston metropolitan area, Baytown has a population of more than 71,000 diverse citizens. It has a prosperous industrial community, and is home to dozens of petrochemical industrial facilities including ExxonMobil, Chevron Phillips and Bayer. Recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the top 120 community colleges in the country, Lee College boasts of a number of nationally recognized programs including an acclaimed Inmate Education Program and nationally renowned Honors and Process Technology programs. The college is also ranked sixth in the nation for degrees in science and technology.
Lee College is a Hispanic-Serving institution, with approximately 30% of current students classified as Hispanic. Approximately 50% of the college’s total student population are of ethnic descent.
Improvements in student success and persistence are attributed to changes in the college’s developmental course curriculum including:
- Establishing Fast-Track Developmental Courses which enable students to complete courses in less time
- Instituting a mandatory Learning Strategies for Success Course for all first-year students testing into two or more developmental courses
- Increasing course contact hours in all Developmental Reading, Writing, and Math courses
- An increased availability and emphasis on Student Support Services including a dedicated counselor for developmental education students
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
