Improving Student Success in Postsecondary Education: Catch the Next College Access Ascender Program

• In Event: Different Factors Impacting Student Success

Abstract

Increasingly, there is a focus on a P-16 pipeline that successfully transitions students from high school into postsecondary education. However, many students come to higher education unprepared for credit-bearing courses. The state of Texas’ higher education vision in its Developmental Education (DE) Plan was to significantly improve the success of underprepared students by addressing individualized needs through reliable diagnostic assessment, comprehensive support services, and non-traditional interventions. This study investigates the Ascender Program’s (AP) emphasis on services that include academic, emotional-social, and community supports for underserved community college students. The results of this study will assist in understanding how Texas community colleges can improve the design of course-taking sequences with goals of increasing access, persistence, and degree/certificate completion in higher education.

Authors

• Celeste Alexander, The University of Texas at Austin

• Pedro Reyes, The University of Texas at Austin

• Janet Solis Rodriguez, The University of Texas at Austin