HCC leads Texas 2-year Colleges in degree completions
HCC 5th in the nation for associate degrees conferred in
2011
HOUSTON, TX [June 24, 2011] – Houston Community College is setting the
standard that state legislators are looking for. New legislation, passed
by both the Texas House and Senate, ties a portion of state funding for
institutions of higher education to graduation rates, and Community
College Week recently ranked HCC as number one in Texas and fifth in the
nation for associate degrees conferred in 2011. Up from 11th place last
year, 3,285 HCC students completed their course of study and earned
associate degrees.
The pending legislation, the Higher Education Outcomes-Based Funding
Act, is intended to provide funding based on student success and degree
completion. This will be an incentive for two-year colleges to follow
through with students, encouraging them to finish their programs, rather
than depending upon enrollment numbers alone. The hope is to get
students to complete their degrees and not just walk through the doors.
The new legislation comes on the heels of a call to action by Vice
President Joe Biden to boost college graduation rates nationwide. To
meet the President’s 2020 goal of having the best-educated workforce and
the highest proportion of college graduates in the world, the United
States will have to increase the number of college graduates by 50
percent – turning out at least 8 million additional graduates by the end
of the decade. In March, the vice president released the College
Completion Tool Kit, providing each state governor with the tools to
develop college completion plans, increase affordability and broaden
access to higher education.
While the incentive behind the new legislation is to encourage colleges
to develop college completion plans, some educators recommend a cautious
approach. The Texas Faculty Association has expressed concern that some
colleges might lower standards and requirements in order to increase
their graduation rates.
HCC’s enrollment is breaking college records each semester, and more
students are completing their degrees. Houston Community College
provides the support, affordability and access residents of the Greater
Houston Area need to fulfill their dreams and acquire the skills
necessary to pave the way to a bright economic future for our region,
state and nation.
About HCC
HCC is one of the country’s largest singly-accredited, open-admission,
community colleges offering associate degrees, certificates, workforce
training and lifelong learning opportunities for 75,000 students each
semester. HCC is composed of six colleges that serve the greater Houston
area’s diverse communities by preparing individuals to live and work in
today’s increasingly international and technological society. To learn
more go to hccs.edu.
