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"Is Free Tuition Working?”

Source:
Patton, Carol. "Is Free Tuition Working?" Journal of College Admissions Summer 2016, Vol. 232, p30-33. Academic Search Complete. Web. 20 October 2017.

Summary:
This source provides a look into the challenges face by programs that have been put in place to provide free tuition for states and community colleges. The Author, Carol Patton, focuses on the programs in Oregon and Tennessee and examines successes there. By examining the data from the number of increasing students attending college and by opening dialogue with key personnel involved in these programs such as Bob Brew the director of Oregon’s Office of Student Access and Completion, she has found that while the programs initially look successful much more needs to be done to continue and grow these programs. The data seems to support getting the students into college but further work to get those students into a major best suited for their aptitude. Funding is an ever present concern along with better collaboration between high schools and colleges. The increase of students can also place added burdens on the college to provide additions classes and teachers. 

Quality:
This appears to be a high-quality source. Carol Patton is an award winning journalist, the 2014 Digital and Print Azbee Award and the 2012 National Trade Journalism Award. The article also appeared in the respected Journal of College Admission developed by the National Association of College Admission Counseling. The data provided is from her interviews with key personnel involved in the free tuition programs in Oregon and Tennessee. She also provides information on the key components for the 13 states that have introduced legislation supporting last dollar scholarship programs for community college students.

Issues:
The article looks at only 2 of the 13 states that have instituted a last dollar scholarship program. The programs are still very new and little data is available at this time so more time will be needed to give a full evaluation of these programs. As the programs change and morph to meet the needs of sustaining and expanding to better accomplish the goals of providing free tuition, they will need to be constantly re-evaluated and reviewed looking at the data and trends that will develop over time.

Key Words and Phrases:
Community Colleges
College Tuition
Financial Aid
Scholarships
Grants

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