A new report finds state policies that make it easier for people to attend community colleges are actually preventing students from finishing their education there. Researchers say the state gives campuses money for each student in class, not for how many students graduate. Researcher Nancy Shulock says the state is also allowing too many students to take college-level classes when they're simply not prepared.
Shulock: Students are allowed to bypass orientation courses, they are allowed to delay or put off all together taking the remedial classes they need and allowed to take college level classes before they're prepared to succeed in those classes.
Shulock also says the state doesn't give students money to cover the costs of going to college - like textbooks, transportation and child care. Shulock is urging lawmakers to take a closer look at how state policies create barriers at community colleges.
