So why learn about best Practices?  How is best practices helping our community colleges change new pathways to successful avenues. 

Well!  Best Practices that Promote Equity in Basic Skills in California Community Colleges.  It provides an overview of proven practices that can be used to promote success for our varied and diverse student population. The paper describes the anatomy of concentrated efforts where the macro meets the micro on college campuses across the state. Three important strategies are described: Equity-Mindedness, Cultural Competence, and Universal Design for Learning. Equity-mindedness is an evidence-based practice that identifies and removes barriers to student success. Cultural Competence is an effort to understand the role of culture in equitable outcomes. And finally, Universal Design for Learning critically examines the everyday practices in student services and classrooms that not only create access but also identifies ways to make student success a priority.

California is predicted to experience the largest demographic shifts and greatest diversity in the nation; we must become adept at educating and training our future workforce lest we allow educational and workforce gaps to widen. The student population of the California community colleges (CCCs) already mirrors statewide population projections for 2050.

In essence, the almost three million students within the CCCs are a proportional preview of the state’s future population. With California in such a critical place and with the CCCs poised to address the needs of today and tomorrow, what better time than now to adopt practices that promote equitable outcomes and success for all? There are many successful, concrete practices that have promoted equitable outcomes for students within the CCC system. We must expand these efforts to every
college. 

Please learn what California and how Palo Verde College is doing to change the challenges of the 21st century into successful pathways for a prosperous community.....

California Community Colleges Basic Skills Initiative efforts....