The research by Maritza Morales-Gracia and colleagues at the University of California, Irvine, explores community college students' perceptions of cross-enrollment opportunities in California. This study highlights the various barriers and motivations affecting students' decisions to participate in cross-enrollment, which allows them to take courses at four-year universities while still enrolled in their community college.
Main Takeaways:
- Inaccessible Information: Students reported a lack of accessible information about cross-enrollment policies and procedures, which significantly hindered their participation.
- Impact of Sense of Belonging and Self-Efficacy: Students' sense of belonging and their confidence in their academic abilities influenced their perceptions and decisions regarding cross-enrollment. Many felt intimidated by the academic culture at four-year institutions.
- Mixed Reactions to Cross-Enrollment: While some students were enthusiastic about the potential academic and social benefits of cross-enrollment, others were apprehensive about the administrative complexities and potential academic risks.
- Recommendations for Improvement: Students suggested improvements, including better dissemination of information, clearer guidelines, and enhanced support from community colleges to encourage participation in cross-enrollment.