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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT SUCCESS ACT
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HON. GRACE MENG
of new york
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, community colleges play a critical role in
American higher education. There are over 1,000 community colleges
across the United States. Nearly 40 percent of undergraduates are
enrolled in community colleges. Of these students a large portion are
first-generation, low-income college students, and half are students of
color. Community colleges indeed play a crucial role in closing our
nation's skills gap through education and workforce training.
Unfortunately, many of these institutions are often under-resourced.
This leaves students without the necessary support to complete their
degrees.
Access to college means little without degree completion. Studies
show that only 20 percent of full-time community college students
graduate after three years and just 35 percent graduate after five
years. Research is also clear that students who do not complete a
degree are at greater risk of defaulting on their loans.
That is why, today, I am introducing the Community College Student
Success Act of 2019, a bill that will help community colleges around
the country by giving under-resourced colleges with high percentages of
low-income and minority students the necessary funding to develop and
implement comprehensive student support services.
First, the Community College Student Success Act would provide
academic advising, wherein, advisors will provide ongoing, academic,
and personal advising to students including helping to clearly lay out
a three-year graduation plan and creating strong transfer pathways for
students interested in continuing their education.
Second, this bill would provide academic and career support, wherein,
students on academic probation or who have been referred to
developmental courses will be required to meet weekly with a tutor.
These students will also meet with an on-campus career counselor or
participate in career services events at least once a semester to
promote career planning and success.
Third, this bill would provide financial support, wherein, students
will receive a tuition waiver to cover the gap between the tuition and
fees and financial aid. Additionally, students satisfying all the
meeting requirements will receive a financial incentive, such as a
transportation pass or gas card, at least once per month.
Additionally, the goal of this legislation is to replicate the
remarkable and proven success of the Accelerated Study in Associate
Programs (ASAP)--a program that was created and instituted by the City
University of New York (CUNY) in 2007. This program has been found to
consistently double the graduation rates of participating students.
Madam Speaker, the Community College Student Success Act of 2019
ultimately seeks to help achieve student success through holistic and
student-centered services.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and join me in
helping community college students across the nation by providing
pathways to upward economic mobility and more opportunities. If
Congress truly values the importance of educating our next generation,
we must increase our investment in these institutions and the students
they serve. Each person deserves a quality education--no matter their
background--because education is a civil right.
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