Data and Research as Evidence in Tuition-Free Community College Legislation

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Policy, Tuition, and Matters of Higher Education Finance

Abstract

Tuition-free programs have proliferated across the country in recent years, most of which have been centered around the American community college. While a contested policy, the tuition-free agenda bridges a conservative-progressive coalition within the community college context, as conservatives achieve workforce or corporate-friendly goals, while progressives increase access to higher education and reduce costs to students. This article presents the data and research cited as evidence in tuition-free community legislation proposed and enacted from ten states, along with the sources that produced this evidence when applicable. Drawing on the work of several policy scholars, the article discusses the various ways in which data and research are deployed for political purposes.

Author

• Matthew Paul Ison, Ohio University