Higher Ed Utah

The Washington Post (4/11, Davis) reports, “As the economy continues to falter, job losses rack up and families’ savings dwindle, more students who saw themselves going directly from high school to a four-year institution are instead carving a path to their local community college.” And the younger demographic — “nationally, about 46 percent of students on community college campuses are younger than 21″ — is changing the public perception of such institutions. While “there’s a stigma that remains about community colleges,” students and parents are increasingly realizing “that if they succeed in community college, they might be able to transfer to prestigious schools…and pay half the price.” Advocates also note the advantages of smaller class sizes and access to educators that aren’t focused on research. “Community college officials say they hope the schools’ reputation as a place students don’t attend by choice is changing, and even Washington is taking notice” with programs such as the American Graduation Initiative.