Unpacking implementation capacity and contexts for degree reclamation strategies: What factors move the equity needle?

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.29.5473

Keywords:

degree reclamation, community college, equity, reenrollment, higher education, college completion, capacity

Abstract

This paper used data from a multi-institutional study of community colleges developing and implementing degree reclamation strategies (adult reengagement and reverse credit transfer) to understand and unpack the factors that influence implementation and capacity development. The data come from seven colleges that are implementing equity-focused degree reclamation strategies aimed to reduce the population of “some college, no degree.” The research team used an interdisciplinary lens to identify these factors drawing from literature on capacity-building. Prior to the start of implementation, researchers surveyed institutions and institutional stakeholders to assess baseline capacity, and they tracked institutional participation and engagement in the strategy development and implementation process. This paper highlights findings from this research to identify which factors are most related to implementation variation and strategy outcomes. 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Jason Taylor, University of Utah

Jason L. Taylor is an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Utah. His broad research interests are at the intersection of community college and higher education policy, and educational and social inequality.

Paul Rubin, University of Utah

Paul G. Rubin is an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy at the University of Utah. His research focuses on the intersections of higher education policy, governance of the postsecondary sector, and the use of research and information in the state and federal policy process.

Sheena Kauppila, Coastal Carolina University

Sheena A. Kauppila, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of higher education administration at Coastal Carolina University. Her research interests are focused on the success and outcomes of college students, student-faculty engagement, and faculty development.

Leanne Davis, Institute for Higher Education Policy

Leanne Davis is the Associate Director of Applied Research at the Institute for Higher Education Policy, where she leads projects and research focused on transfer and postsecondary degree completion and advocates for policies that support students from populations historically underrepresented in postsecondary education.

Downloads

Published

2021-03-08

How to Cite

Taylor, J., Rubin, P., Kauppila, S., & Davis, L. (2021). Unpacking implementation capacity and contexts for degree reclamation strategies: What factors move the equity needle?. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 29(January - July), 27. https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.29.5473

Issue

Section

Policy Implementation as an Instrument to Achieve Educational Equity