America's Broken Promise - by Eduardo Marti (Paperback)

About the Book

Critically examines the role of community colleges in American society, then spells out ways these institutions can and must come closer to fulfilling the achievement promise.

Book Synopsis

Most community college leaders, administrators, faculty, and policymakers take pride in knowing that community colleges are the only postsecondary institutions that promise to educate and prepare all interested Americans. Yet, they are often publicly criticized by politicians, tax payers, and fellow educators. In America's Broken Promise, Dr. Eduardo Marti shows how community colleges have multiple, difficult, and often competing missions, particularly surrounding access and achievement rates. He reminds us that a very high percentage of students entering the community college "open door" are neither college ready nor intent upon graduation. He then critically traces the development of the unique role of community colleges, differentiates them from selective-admission institutions, shows their success creating open access environments, then maps out new ways these institutions can and must come closer to fulfilling their achievement promise.

Review Quotes

"This remarkable book reminds us of our mission, and will help us to think clearly about the future of our community colleges, and to act quickly to improve student retention and graduation." -- Mary Ellen Duncan, Achieving the Dream, Leadership Coach, President Emerita, Howard Community College "Dr. Marti makes a convincing case for the need to improve; he defines a map for how institutions can create and fund a culture of care that will transform community colleges into student-centered institutions." -- George Boggs, President and CEO Emeritus, American Association of Community Colleges