Tacoma Community College
Underprepared students who enroll in the College Success course at Tacoma Community College (TCC) persist at a rate that is 5% higher than their better-prepared peers.
Throughout the college’s time with Achieving the Dream, TCC expanded its college success course (HD 101) which is now mandatory for students who place in two or more developmental courses. HD 101 is a part of Declared and Prepared, an advising model that combines specific and coordinated strategies intended to positively impact students’ initial experiences on campus, increasing the likelihood they will persist to graduation. Declared and Prepared includes intrusive advising, advisor dashboard, educational planning, HD 101, mandatory orientation, and welcome week activities.
- Fall-to-winter persistence averaged 81% over four years for the 1,138 students who took HD 101 compared with 76% for 2,281 non-HD 101 students.
- Fall-to-spring persistence averaged 73% for HD 101 students compared to 67% for students who did not take HD101.
- Fall-to-fall persistence averaged 52% for HD 101 students compared to 45% for non-HD 101 students.
TCC created Declared and Prepared to provide support and create momentum for all students, knowing historically underrepresented students are particularly vulnerable during this time.
TCC enrolled 10,011 students in the fall 2010 quarter; 10% were African American, 3% were Hispanic, 12% were Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander, and 14% were multi-racial. Twenty-six percent of students received Pell Grants.
Achieving the Dream encourages innovation. One such innovation at TCC was the development of Advisor Dashboard, a data tool which engages faculty, staff and students in maximizing points of momentum and minimizing points of loss for students in their pathway to degree/ certificate completion. TCC has seen a nearly 5% increase in students attaining 15 college level credits within their first year at the college. The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges has secured rights from TCC to implement Advisor Dashboard within its 34-college system.
TCC is pursuing systemic institutional improvement with sustainable initiatives which have high stakeholder involvement. For example, accelerated progress for students is being achieved with a one year developmental math to college level statistics initiative. Also, a combined Developmental English and Reading course promises students greater success, in less time, and with increased rates of retention. And InsideTCC is a rapidly growing communication tool that targets incoming students to prepare them for success and momentum as they begin their college career.
Building on the momentum of Declared and Prepared, TCC is launching Pathway to Completion. This initiative guides students from declaration of their educational program to certificate/degree completion. Pathway to Completion intends to increase rates of student completion, in less time, and close racial, ethnic, socio-economic and gender achievement gaps.
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
