| With jobs being lost in the auto industry and elsewhere, | | | | and promotions via classes at community colleges. |
| associate degrees from community colleges are a | | | | - Expand course offerings and offer dual enrollment at |
| great way to learn new skills and prepare yourself to | | | | high schools and universities, promote the transfer of |
| work within the new businesses and industries | | | | credits among colleges, align graduation and entrance |
| developing as our economy changes. In the coming | | | | requirements of high schools, local colleges, and |
| years, jobs requiring at least an associate degree are | | | | four-year colleges and universities. |
| projected to grow twice as fast as job requiring no | | | | - Improve remedial and adult education programs, |
| college experience. | | | | which would accelerate students' progress and |
| To meet this economic necessity, President Barack | | | | integrate developmental classes into academic and |
| Obama has announced a $12 billion bill called, The | | | | vocational classes. |
| American Graduation Initiative. It will reform and | | | | - Offer students more by personalizing services to |
| strengthen community colleges from coast to coast so | | | | help them plan their careers and stay in school. |
| that they get the resources students and schools | | | | Community colleges are the largest part of our higher |
| need - and the results workers and businesses | | | | education system, enrolling more than 6 million students, |
| demand. This plan will help an additional five million | | | | and growing rapidly. They feature affordable tuition, |
| Americans earn degrees and certificates in the next | | | | open admission policies, flexible course schedules, and |
| decade. | | | | convenient locations, and they are particularly important |
| With President Obama's American Graduation Initiative, | | | | for students who are older, working, need remedial |
| community colleges will be able to build on their | | | | classes, or can only take classes part-time. |
| strengths and introduce new innovations for the 21st | | | | Now, and in the coming years, jobs requiring at least an |
| century economy by allowing competitive grants to | | | | associate degree are projected to grow twice as fast |
| expand proven reforms. | | | | as jobs requiring no college experience. Gain some |
| Community colleges could: | | | | education and respect. Look into the local colleges in |
| - Build partnerships with businesses to create career | | | | your area. |
| pathways where workers can earn new credentials | | | | |