Brief on pathways to college.

A Community College Research Center (CCRC) brief says that credit-based transition programs (CBTPs) such as tech prep, dual or concurrent enrollment, International Baccalaureate, and middle college high school programs can help youth have smoother and more successful transitions to college.

"Pathways to College and Success," authored by Katherine L. Hughes, Melinda Mechur Karp, Baranda J. Fermin and Thomas R. Bailey, summarizes the final report from the Accelerating Student Success Through Credit-Based Transition study, which was initiated by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE).

The CCRC brief highlights findings about four key program features--student recruitment and selection processes, curriculum, support services, and data collection and use. Also included are recommendations for three broad areas that the brief says "should be addressed by programs and policymakers seeking to help middle- and low-achieving students enroll and be successful in CBTPs: student access, institutional collaboration, and data collection for program evaluation."

The brief concludes that, "The findings from the Accelerating Student Success study lend credence to the enthusiasm many policymakers and educators have for CBTPs," and cites the potential to help a wide range of students prepare for postsecondary education.

For more information, visit http://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu.