Regional Variation in Community College Student Outcomes in California

REPORT: Regional Variation in Community College Student Outcomes in California 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Regional Variation in Community College Student Outcomes in California

The California Community College (CCC) system serves a large student body, diverse in backgrounds, experiences, and educational goals. This report uses data from the CCC system’s records to measure variation in achievement across the state’s Strong Workforce Regions. We consider a range of achievement measures, including initial enrollments, progression through community college (CC); successful completion of community college with a certificate, degree, or transfer to a four-year public institution in the state; and time between initial enrollment and successful completion. We link this data with high school records from the California Department of Education (CDE) to explore the extent to which regional variations in CCC outcomes can be attributed to variations in students’ characteristics and college readiness prior to CCC enrollment. We also explore a range of contextual factors, including population and student demographics, to further contextualize the variation in student outcomes across regions.

Suggested citation: Rothstein, J., Dizon-Ross, E., Lacoe, J. (2024). Regional Variation in Community College Student Outcomes in California. California Policy Lab. https://www.capolicylab.org/regional-variation-in-community-college-student-outcomes-in-california/