MDRC: Learning Communities Are Working

MDRC has an encouraging update of its expansive study of learning communities at a Brooklyn community college. Learning communities are essentially study groups and then some, and they're intended particularly to help non-traditional and low-income students succeed in college. MDRC found that they're making an impact.

The program improved students’ college experience. Students in the program group felt more integrated and more engaged than students in the control group.

The program also improved some educational outcomes while students were in the learning community program, but the effects diminished in subsequent semesters. Program group students, for example, attempted and passed more courses and earned more credits during their first semester.

The program moved students more quickly through developmental English requirements. Students in the program group were more likely to take and pass English skills assessment tests that are required for graduation or transfer.

The evidence is mixed about whether the program increased persistence. Initially the program did not change the rate at which students reenrolled. In the last semester of the report’s two-year follow-up period, however, slightly more program group members than control group members attended college.

In the House-passed version of the Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization, setting up learning communities is one way colleges can use a Student Success Grant. House and Senate negotiators are still working out the details of the final version of the HEA, but they'd be wise to include a program that's demonstrated such positive results. If you're interested in pushing for learning communities and programs like it, see this post.