Enhanced Opening Doors
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
This program is a part of MDRC’s multisite Opening Doors demonstration project. MDRC is a firm which evaluates programs and policies with the goal of changing social policy and improving the well-being of low-income individuals.
From 2003 to 2009, six community colleges across the United States offered innovative programs to help students increase their academic performance. Chaffey Community College, in Southern California, focused on improving academic outcomes among students who were on academic probation. They enhanced the original “Opening Doors” program by making certain parts of the program mandatory. Specifically, all students who enrolled in the program were required to take a “College Success” course. In this course a college counselor taught students how do well in school and get off probation. Students were expected to visit Chaffey’s “Success Centers” where they could receive supplementary individualized or group instruction in math, reading, and writing. The two-semester program operated during fall 2006 and spring 2007.
From 2003 to 2009, six community colleges across the United States offered innovative programs to help students increase their academic performance. Chaffey Community College, in Southern California, focused on improving academic outcomes among students who were on academic probation. They enhanced the original “Opening Doors” program by making certain parts of the program mandatory. Specifically, all students who enrolled in the program were required to take a “College Success” course. In this course a college counselor taught students how do well in school and get off probation. Students were expected to visit Chaffey’s “Success Centers” where they could receive supplementary individualized or group instruction in math, reading, and writing. The two-semester program operated during fall 2006 and spring 2007.
Goal / Mission
The goal of this program is to improve outcomes among Community College students who are on academic probation.
Impact
Enhanced Opening Doors helps low-income students earn college credentials as the pathway to better jobs and further education.
Results / Accomplishments
In 2006, MDRC and Chaffey Community College randomly assigned 444 students to either the Enhanced Opening Doors program or a control group. Study results revealed that the Enhanced Opening Doors program increased the average number of credits earned (P=0.01), the proportion of students who earned a grade point average of 2.0 or higher (P=0.01), and the proportion who moved off probation (P=0.01).
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Chaffey Community College
Primary Contact
Susan Scrivener
MDRC
19th Floor
16 East 34 Street
New York, NY 10016-4326
(212) 532-3200
publications@mdrc.org
https://www.mdrc.org/about/susan-scrivener
MDRC
19th Floor
16 East 34 Street
New York, NY 10016-4326
(212) 532-3200
publications@mdrc.org
https://www.mdrc.org/about/susan-scrivener
Topics
Education / Educational Attainment
Organization(s)
Chaffey Community College
Source
MDRC
Date of publication
Apr 2009
Date of implementation
2005
Location
California, Louisiana, New York, Ohio
For more details
http://www.mdrc.org/project/opening-doors#overview
http://www.mdrc.org/publication/getting-back-track
http://www.mdrc.org/publication/getting-back-track
Target Audience
Adults
Additional Audience
Community College Students