The Role of Networked Improvement Communities in Helping Community College Students Transition to College-Level Coursework

• In Event: 34.053 - Adult Learning in Diverse Contexts

Abstract

This qualitative study examines how networked improvement communities have contributed to academic success for underprepared students enrolled in college-level coursework in Florida’s state colleges. Networked improvement communities are networks of technical and human resources whose purpose is to address a well-specified problem through collective action and continuous improvement efforts. Data sources for this study included field observations, institutional documents, and transcripts from 31 semi-structured focus groups with campus personnel (152 total participants) collected at eight Florida College System institutions. Five analysts employed pattern coding to identify central ideas and properties in the data. We present two prototype interventions identified by focus group participants as increasing success among underprepared students. These interventions include a three-tiered early alert system and comprehensive e-Advising.

Authors

• Rebecca Brower, Florida State University

• Tamara Bertrand Jones, Florida State University

• Amanda N Nix, Florida State University

• Sophia Glenyse Rahming, Florida State University

• Jamaal Harrison, Florida State University

• Jenay R Sermon, Florida State University

• Shouping Hu, Florida State University

• Toby Park, Florida State University

• David Allen Tandberg, State Higher Education Executive Officers