CEHD News

The National Research Center for Career and Technical Education (NRCCTE) reveiwed community college agency and state legistlative websites for all 50 states to examine what types of initiatives exist to increase access and affordability to post secondary education. They were especially interested in community college programs that lead to occupational advancement.

They found that the more common ways of increasing access for nontraditional students were (1) evening and weekend course schedules; (2) distance learning; (3) awareness campaigns about college and the availability of financial aid.

In regards to affordability, states were expanding existing financial aid programs as well as creating new ones that target nontraditional students. States were also targeting specific occupational fields for aid in order to develop the workforce needed in the state.

The report was written by Marisa Castellano and Laura T. Overman of the NRCCTE at the CEHD.

To read more about their report, visit “‘Center Publications” at http://www.nrccte.org.