Community College District Responds to Billboard
Dallas County Community College District Chancellor Wright Lassiter said a new billboard from the Texas Association of Business knocking DCCCD graduation rates shows "a fundamental lack of understanding" about community colleges.
In a letter to Bill Hammond, the TAB president, Lassiter wrote, "We are disappointed that the Texas Association of Business would attack the workhorse and largest sector of the Texas higher education system through a billboard campaign rather than support the state's investment in community colleges."
The billboard, which is scheduled to be up for 3 days, reads, "8% OF DCCCD STUDENTS GRADUATE IN 3 YRS. IS THAT ...
Comments (7)
Tim Tukaram Spotswood via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What a load of bullocks. If you are continuing on to a University then then there is no reason to get an Associates degree. My daughter did get her Associates then went on to University. Now they say she has too many credits and her last semester will be at the "you have too many credits" penalizing price. So she was part of the 8%, unfortunately. The TAB has no freaking clue.
Ken Collier via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I'm stunned that the TAB has such a poor grasp of the kind of students who attend these schools and what they're trying to accomplish. They clearly don't understand the nature of these schools and their students.
Steven Kite via Texas Tribune on Facebook
3 years beats not at all... but I have my doubts that the TAB is bright enough to understand that.
Ron Blancarte
You guys seem to miss the point. These stats by TAB isn't them not understanding what is up with community college. This is a way to push their agenda out as something that is good. They want funding based on results, thus freeing up money for their groups.
I do agree with your reasoning that community colleges have their place and shouldn't be judged on graduations alone. But don't think TAB doesn't get what they are saying, because they do.
Kristen Klement Weinzapfel via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Community colleges are doing them a favor by preparing their workforce. Instead of attacking the DCCCD, how about working towards partnerships?
Amy Evans via Texas Tribune on Facebook
One must also consider that community colleges are open enrollment folks. Everybody gets in, so people enter community colleges for a variety of reasons--some just take a class or two, others figure out college isn't for them, others go part time for a long time because they must and some finish or transfer. Considering completion statistics at community colleges without considering intent does not provide the context necessary to make an informed judgement about their effectiveness.
John Burton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
How stupid. I took summer classes at DCCCD when I was an undergraduate at a University. The whole point was to transfer credits, not to "graduate" from DCCCD. It saved me money and helped me graduate with a double-major in four years.