Community colleges become the focus on improving college completion

In order to improve the nation's college completion rate, federal education officials have zeroed in on community colleges. As a result of last year's first-of-it's-kind White House summit on community colleges, which was convened by Dr. Jill Biden at the request of President Barack Obama, the U.S. Department of Education has announced plans to hold four regional meetings to discuss the best ways to improve college completion rates in such academic institutions.

"These regional summits are an opportunity to build partnerships that strengthen our community colleges, turn challenges into actions, and produce the best-educated and most-competitive workforce in the world," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in a press release announcing the summits.

Some 150 participants are expected to take part in the "Challenges, Solutions and Commitments" summits. Experts from business and industry, labor, education, philanthropy, and professionals from local and state government as well as students will participate in meetings aimed at improving education at the nation's community colleges. The country's schools chief says addressing the problems in community colleges will have a larger, positive impact on education in America overall.

"Community colleges must lead the way to meeting President Obama's goal that the United States once again having the highest college attainment rate in the world by 2020," Duncan said. "All of higher education must contribute to reaching this goal—but community colleges will be the linchpin. The President has called for an additional five million community college graduates by 2020 to ensure the vitality of our nation's economy."

According to the U.S. Department of Education's website, the summits are scheduled for the following dates, with each having a specific focus:

• February 28 – Community College of Philadelphia: "Transitioning Adult Learners to Community Colleges and the Workforce"
• March 9 – Lone Star College System, Houston: "Successful Transfer Programs"
• March 23 – Ivy Tech Community College, Indianapolis: "Partnerships Between Community Colleges and Employers"
• April 15 – San Diego Community College District, San Diego: "Exemplary Programs for Veterans, Military Members, and Families"