SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges
NOTE: This is the first of several "catch-up" editions you can expect in the days ahead.
SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS
Local school districts helping drop-outs earn their diplomas
It is graduation season, and thanks to an effort by local school districts, former high school drop-outs are now earning their diplomas. Some students who got off track in a traditional high school setting are coming to CBC [Columbia Basin College] to take part in the High School Academy and earn their diplomas. The Kennewick School District told drop-outs "We want you back" and students are graduating because of those outreach efforts.
KNDU TV, May 29, 2013
http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/22452637/local-school-districts-helping-drop-outs-earn-their-degree
Are you gay? Colleges want to know
You've come to expect questions about race, gender and age on applications of all kinds. The demographics are intended to better serve you. But you may not have responded to questions about your sexual preference or what gender you identify with? Community and Technical colleges in Washington are now asking just that. You might ask why that's relevant, but some students are happy to check the box. Ruben Zecena, student at Columbia Basin College. He said, "It's about time because to me it tells me the school recognizes who I am and it's not like I'm hidden from the population."
KEPR TV, May 29, 2013
Whatcom high school grads seek more technical, vocational training
With the cost of college going up and the jobs to go along with that four-year degree far from certainty, this year's high school seniors are increasingly looking at other options for education after they graduate. … Whether it's community college, a tech school or even time off to travel and figure out what career they want to pursue, there's no longer one right path for students leaving high school. … Advisers and the outreach coordinator at Whatcom Community College are seeing incoming students who are much more mindful about planning their education, said spokeswoman Mary Vermillion. Students are asking for degree plans to get an idea of how much programs cost, how long they will take, and what their career and transfer options are after they graduate.
The Bellingham Herald, June 7, 2013
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/06/07/3043319/whatcom-high-school-grads-seek.html
Convicts to coders: Maximum security prison teaches inmates computer science
Clallam Bay Corrections Center, a maximum security prison on Washington state's Olympic Peninsula, is worlds away from Seattle's bustling high-tech and startup scene. Yet, an innovative educational program introduced last fall at the prison could connect these two disparate worlds around a very valuable asset: software developers. Working in conjunction with Peninsula College extension, the prison established a computer science and engineering program nine months ago which teaches inmates everything from 3-D game mechanics to Android development. Now, in its third quarter, the one-year certificate program includes 45 college credits towards cloud and mobile game design, one of the only programs of its kind in the country. About 50 inmates have enrolled in at least one class since the program was started last fall, with wait lists of inmates trying to get in. "The inspiration for this is that inmates have lots and lots of time, and not all of them are appropriate for welding programs," said Brian Walsh, education director for Peninsula College and Clallam Bay Corrections Center. "We have some very sharp and very smart inmates who can become good software developers, and they have the time to practice it and learn it."
GeekWire, June 11, 2013
Opinion: Whatcom Community College celebrates graduation, 45 years
Robert Fong served on WCC's Board of Trustees from 1997-2008, including three years as board chair. | The college community has been doing a bit of celebrating itself this past academic year by marking Whatcom's 45th anniversary. We, too, should celebrate this remarkable community asset that offers all citizens access to higher education and, ultimately, the opportunity to enrich and to transform their lives. …. There are endless remarkable stories of students who have turned their lives around by acknowledging the need for higher education and enrolling at Whatcom Community College. [Here are a few:]
· Koichi Hirata: International student became ambassador at Whatcom CC
· Scott Sisco: Hard work has Whatcom student ready for high tech job
· Brian Gonzalez: Whatcom student's desire for a career led to leadership role
· Jessie Beck: Whatcom nursing graduate hopes to work in ER
· Phelicia Parker: Bellingham student got a running start at Whatcom CC
The Bellingham Herald, June 14, 2013
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/06/14/3048459/whatcom-community-college-celebrates.html
CBC graduate looks ahead after tragedy
The 18-year-old graduated Friday night from Columbia Basin College with an associate degree in arts and sciences. She had been attending the Pasco community college since the fall of 2011 through Running Start, a program that allows high school students to pursue associate degrees along with their high school diplomas.
The Bellingham Herald, June 14, 2013
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/06/14/3053736/cbc-graduate-looks-ahead-after.html
More than 1,300 graduate from Columbia Basin College
Tri-City Herald, June 14, 2013
Read more here: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/06/14/2434945/more-than-1300-graduate-from-columbia.html#storylink=cpy
Photo Gallery: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/06/14/2434907/cbc-graduation-2013.html#
Teen helps wheelchair-bound woman in Kennewick
David Cancino was raised by parents who taught him that helping people is part of living a happy and productive life. You do it without expecting anything in return. But to Merry Cahoon, a wheelchair-bound Kennewick senior citizen, it was a godsend. He works part time at the Baan Khun Ya Thai restaurant in Pasco, plus he's attending Columbia Basin College. He hopes to one day study culinary arts and become a chef at a Seattle-area restaurant.
The Bellingham Herald, June 14, 2013
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/06/14/3053464/teen-helps-wheelchair-bound-woman.html
Youth rescue their academic life
Last week I had the opportunity to attend the graduation ceremony for students from the CBC [Columbia Basin College] High School Academy. The Planetarium served as the location on a sunny morning full of nerves, pride, recognition and many thanks. Youths between the ages of 16 and 20 that have already given up on their studies, that dedicated themselves to "doing nothing," received their diplomas among flowers and cheers from the crowd.
Tu Decides, June 14, 2013
http://www.cyberbackups.com/tudecides/issues/Vol7Issue23E.pdf [Page 19]
4 from Pasco family graduating from Columbia Basin College
Today's graduation ceremony at Columbia Basin College will be particularly momentous for Heather Wilson's family. The 29-year-old is earning her nursing degree, a dream she's had since high school. But she'll also be joined on stage by husband Cody Wilson, brother Carson Roske and cousin Seth Lochridge, as they also receive degrees from the Pasco community college. "All the family only has to come once," Heather Wilson said, smiling.
Tri-City Herald, June 14, 2013
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/06/13/2433546/4-from-pasco-family-graduating.html
Landscaping company gets nod for CBC vets memorial
The Columbia Basin College Board of Trustees Monday is expected to approve the design for a new veterans memorial on campus.
KNDU TV, June 21, 2013
http://www.kndo.com/story/22655988/landscaping-company-gets-nod-for-cbc-vets-memorial
Tri-City Herald, June 22, 2013
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/06/22/2649508/columbia-basin-college-board-expected.html
CBC gets permission to add 2 bachelor's degree programs
State officials gave Columbia Basin College permission this week to provide two new bachelor's degrees beginning this fall. The college has planned to offer the degrees for months but needed final approval from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, which oversees program quality, the demand for the programs and whether they compete with any nearby public four-year universities. The new Bachelor of Applied Science degrees will be for cybersecurity or project management. CBC already offers a similar degree in applied management.
Tri-City Herald, June 22, 2013
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/06/21/2443665/cbc-gets-permission-to-add-2-bachelors.html
Edmonds Community College adopts new LGBTQ initiative
As part of the registration process, students enrolling at Edmonds Community College and other Washington community and technical colleges statewide are now being asked to answer two optional questions about gender identity and sexual orientation. … The student-driven LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning) Student Success Task Force Initiative took shape at the 2011 Washington Community and Technical College (CTC) Students' Legislative Voice Academy. The CTC's Educational Services Committee endorsed the plan in 2012, with financial support from the Washington State Student Services Commission.
Lynnwood Today, July 2, 2013
http://lynnwoodtoday.com/edmonds-community-college-adopts-new-lgbtq-initiative/
Wash. Colleges Start Tracking Students' Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity
Laura McDowell, spokeswoman for Washington State Board of Community & Technical Colleges, said it was students who proposed the colleges start tracking the data. "The idea was that colleges could better serve this population of students if they could actually help identify how many people in the school are in that category, and track their academic success, and see whether they needed any sort of polices or programs that would help them succeed in schools," McDowell said.
KUOW, July 10, 2013
Report critical of Gates Foundation's higher-ed impact
The Chronicle report says the foundation is at the center of a national movement to tie funding to college-completion rates. Washington is listed as one of 16 states with performance metrics in place. In Washington, though, use of those metrics has been hobbled by a lack of funding. The state's funding model is called the Student Achievement Initiative, and began in 2006 as a way to offer incentives to community colleges that did a good job of helping students build college-level skills. The metrics rewarded colleges when students stayed in school after the first year; completed college-level math; and finished a degree, certificate or apprenticeship training. Marty Brown, executive director of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, said the Gates Foundation provided some funding to help the colleges develop the initiative. He said the foundation "was very helpful at the beginning, and not demanding about what they wanted measured." Initially, the Legislature gave the 34 colleges about $1.5 million for incentive funding. But during the economic downturn, the Legislature cut all funding for the program.
The colleges still continued to collect performance metrics, and evaluated programs accordingly. Despite the lack of money, the program is still considered a success, Brown said, because it caused college administrators to pay close attention to a variety of measures.
The Seattle Times, July 15, 2013
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021400596_gatescriticsxml.html
Highline Community College Trustee elected [president of TACTC] board
A trustee and past chair of the Highline Community College board, Dan Altmayer of Federal Way, has been elected to serve as the president of the Trustees Association of Community and Technical Colleges .
Kent Reporter, July 18, 2013
http://www.kentreporter.com/news/216081791.html
FedEx to donate Boeing 727 to EvCC
Airplane mechanics in training at Everett Community College soon will be able to practice on a Boeing 727, thanks to a donation by FedEx. A FedEx Express 727 freighter will arrive on Thursday at EvCC's Aviation Maintenance Technician School at Paine Field. "We're so proud to be able to provide these aircraft to school aviation programs that are helping train our next generation of aviation professionals," David Sutton, FedEx Express managing director of aircraft acquisition and sales, said in a statement Friday. Sutton will hand over the aircraft at ceremony Thursday afternoon. Gov. Jay Inslee and EvCC President David Beyer will be there to receive FedEx's gift.
The Herald July 19, 2013
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130719/BIZ/707199852/1005/biz#A-727-for-EvCC
CBC bomb threat follow-up
Columbia Basin College campuses are back to normal today after a bomb threat forced the cancellation of classes and the evacuation of all campuses yesterday.
KVEW TV, July 19, 2013
http://www.kvewtv.com/article/2013/jul/19/cbc-bomb-threat-follow-/
Highline Community College named a '2013 Great Colleges to Work For'
Highline Community College is one of the nation's best colleges to work for, according to a new survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education, a top news source for colleges and universities.
Auburn Reporter, July 22, 2013
http://www.auburn-reporter.com/news/216453141.html
Tuition Freeze In Place At State Schools
The state budget for the next two years provides a 14 percent increase for state colleges and universities along with preventing price hikes for one year for resident undergraduates at every state school, including Washington's 34 community and technical colleges. Lawmakers had cut the higher education budget by $1 billion between 2009 and 2013. The next two-year cycle will provide $2.4 billion for colleges and universities from the state general fund, up from the previous $2.1 billion allocation. Observers note, however, this is still far below the $3.1 billion schools received before lawmakers started tightening belts during the recession.
CBS Seattle, July 22, 2013
http://seattle.cbslocal.com/2013/07/22/tuition-freeze-in-place-at-state-schools/
TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION
Let your partnerships prove your relevance
Community College Times, May 2, 2013
Competence, Technology, and Their Discontents
Higher education is buzzing about competency-based education. We've been here before, writes Clifford Adelman, and the question this time is: Will we make it mean something?
Inside Higher Ed, June 6, 2013
http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2013/06/06/higher-ed-discovers-competency-again-essay
Guest: Kids need clear messages about going to college
Grown-ups must stop sending kids mixed messages about college, writes guest columnist Charlie Fridley.
The Seattle Times, June 6, 2013
http://seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2021127567_charlesfridleyopedxml.html
Report: The Hidden STEM Economy
Of the $4.3 billion spent annually by the federal government on STEM education and training, only one-fifth goes towards supporting sub-bachelor's level training, while twice as much supports bachelor's or higher level-STEM careers. The vast majority of National Science Foundation spending ignores community colleges. In fact, STEM knowledge offers attractive wage and job opportunities to many workers with a post-secondary certificate or associate's degree. Policy makers and leaders can do more to foster a broader absorption of STEM knowledge to the U.S workforce and its regional economies. …
A few examples illuminate some of these nontraditional blue-collar STEM occupations. High-STEM installation, maintenance, and repair jobs include a wide array of skilled occupations: automotive service technicians and mechanics, first-line supervisors, industrial machinery mechanics, HVAC mechanics and installers, telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, aircraft mechanics, computer and office machine repairers, heavy equipment mechanics, and electrical repairers. …
Across broad regions of the country, the West stands out as the most STEM oriented and the Northeast the least. … Energy and extraction-dominated states such as Alaska and Wyoming are among the most STEM oriented, as are Washington and Colorado, where computer and scientific knowledge are prevalent. …
The research presented here identifies the previously unheralded role of blue-collar and other STEM occupations demanding less than a bachelor's degree. These jobs pay decent wages in absolute terms and relative to their educational requirements. Like STEM jobs requiring a bachelor's degree, they also contribute to the welfare and prosperity of regional economies by boosting innovation and earnings. …
Of the $4.3 billion spent on STEM education, most of the funding (45 percent) is directed toward bachelor's degree or higher STEM education, while a much smaller share (22 percent) supports training or sub-bachelor's education, despite the fact that half of STEM jobs as identified in this analysis do not require a bachelor's degree
The Brookings Institute, June 10, 2013
http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports/2013/06/10-stem-economy-rothwell
Denver's New Approach to Remedial Ed
A new summer program will offer free remedial education in mathematics and science. … More than 60 percent of Denver graduates who enroll in college need remediation of some sort, and the school system wants to bring that number down.
Inside Higher Ed, June 10, 2013
http://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2013/06/10/denvers-new-approach-remedial-ed
Data Reveal a Rise in College Degrees Among Americans
The increase, which follows more than two decades of slow growth in college completion, appears to be driven by the recent recession and the creation of new types of jobs.
The New York Times, June 13, 2013
Chaotic Enrollment Patterns at Community Colleges
Inside Higher Ed, June 14, 2013
http://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2013/06/14/chaotic-enrollment-patterns-community-colleges
How to Prevent Votes of No Confidence
Inside Higher Ed, June 17, 2013
Community College Counseling Gains
Survey of two-year-college centers shows increases in staffing and greater , but continued straining to keep up with student mental health needs and demands.
Inside Higher Ed, June 18, 2013
Bachelor's-Degree Holders Who Attend Community College
Inside Higher Ed, June 19, 2013
Making the Case for Liberal Arts
Amid talk of outcomes-based education, new report from Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences stresses the disciplines' role in long-term career success and international competitiveness
Inside Higher Ed, June 19, 2013
Is Summer Selling?
To try to increase enrollment during the summer -- to boost graduation rates and revenue -- some colleges are discounting tuition and offering other perks. In most cases, the strategy has shown little payoff.
Inside Higher Ed, June 20, 2013
New Measure of Success
College associations create system to convey more information on completion than is provided by federal report.
Inside Higher Ed, June 24, 2013
Support for Shared Governance
At a gathering of college lawyers, campus leaders generally agree that institutions shun faculty role in governance at their peril.
Inside Higher Ed, June 24, 2013
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/06/24/lawyers-meeting-show-support-shared-governance
In Climbing Income Ladder, Location Matters
That variation does not stem simply from the fact that some areas have higher average incomes: upward mobility rates, Mr. Hendren added, often differ sharply in areas where average income is similar, like Atlanta and Seattle. The gaps can be stark. On average, fairly poor children in Seattle — those who grew up in the 25th percentile of the national income distribution — do as well financially when they grow up as middle-class children — those who grew up at the 50th percentile — from Atlanta. … The economists also found only modest or no correlation between mobility and the number of local colleges and their tuition rates or between mobility and the amount of extreme wealth in a region.
The New York Times, July 22, 2013
K-12 education's online lessons for community colleges
eCAmpus News, July 22, 2013
http://www.ecampusnews.com/research/k-12-educations-online-lessons-for-community-colleges/
Compiled by the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
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