Community College Degree Attainment: Does Traditional Internet-Based Distance Education Help?

• In Event: What Do We Know About Our Online Learners?

Abstract

Using a nationally representative sample (BPS 04/09), this study examined associations between enrollment in credit-bearing online and distance education courses and degree attainment. Consistent with previous large-scale research (Smith Jaggars & Xu, 2010; Xu & Smith Jaggars, 2011), we hypothesized that community college students who participate in distance education in early semesters graduate at lower rates than students who do not. Using a propensity score analysis to address initial differences among students, we conclude that students who take some of their courses online/at a distance actually have a small but significantly better chance of attaining a community college credential than do their classroom counterparts.

Authors

• Peter Shea, University at Albany - SUNY

• Temi Bidjerano, Furman University