From Developmental Education at Community College to Transfer and Bachelor's Attainment: A Matched Samples Study

• In Event: Topics in Contemporary Program Implementation, Evaluation, and Measurement

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between developmental education course completion at a community college and transfer as well as bachelors’ degree attainment at a four-year university by comparing the outcomes of students who took developmental courses at a community college with matched students who did not take developmental courses. The rigorous, matched-sample analysis indicated that the number of credit hours earned at the community college is the only significant predictor of vertical transfer to a four-year institution and ultimately to bachelor’s degree attainment. The matched sample results did not indicate that completing developmental education courses was a statistically significant predictor of bachelor’s degree attainment in either a positive or negative way.

Authors

• Kathryn Harvey, Spartanburg Community College

• Shana L. Pribesh, Old Dominion University

• Mitchell R. Williams, Old Dominion University

• Chris R Glass, Old Dominion University