Mary Visher - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Mary Visher

National Center For Postsecondary Research, Jun 1, 2010

Mdrc, 2013

Preparing high school students for both college and career is a goal that few can disagree with. ... more Preparing high school students for both college and career is a goal that few can disagree with. But while much attention has focused on how to prepare students academically for life after high school, less has been directed at the nonacademic skills and knowledge that students need to succeed in college and the workplace. Schools are expected to teach these skills and knowledge, but they are rarely given the support, guidance, and tools needed to do so.

Mdrc, May 1, 2013

Community colleges face significant challenges retaining their diverse population of students and... more Community colleges face significant challenges retaining their diverse population of students and helping them progress to graduation. A key barrier is the developmental (or remedial) coursework in reading, writing, and/or mathematics to which a majority of entering students are referred. These lengthy sequences -often required for college-level work -can be daunting, and many students leave college before completing their developmental requirements, let alone attaining a credential. Developmental math, in particular, is a substantial stumbling block to college completion.

National Center For Postsecondary Research, Jun 1, 2010

Society For Research on Educational Effectiveness, 2012

Over the last 40 years, community colleges have played an increasingly vital role in American pos... more Over the last 40 years, community colleges have played an increasingly vital role in American postsecondary education. Since 1963, enrollment in these institutions has increased by more than 700 percent, with enrollment reaching 6.2 million students in [2006][2007]. Each fall, community colleges now enroll 35 percent of all postsecondary education students. † This dramatic growth is largely due to the fact that community colleges are open-entry institutions and are generally more affordable than four-year colleges and universities. Unfortunately, while enrollments are increasing, overall success rates in community colleges are disappointingly low. Among students who enroll in community colleges with the intention of earning a credential or transferring to a four-year institution, only 51 percent fulfill these expectations within six years. ‡ While the rates of degree or certificate attainment are low in general, rates are even lower for students in need of developmental education, who comprise a significant proportion of the community college student body. § Given these statistics, community college stakeholders are searching with increasing urgency for approaches with the potential for bolstering the success rates for community college students and particularly for those in need of developmental education. One popular strategy is to create "learning communities," an idea that has come to describe an array of programs and services offered at community colleges. The most basic learning community model, which is likely the most commonly implemented, simply co-enrolls a cohort of students into two classes together. Proponents believe that when students spend time together in multiple classes they are more likely to form social and academic support networks that in turn help students persist and succeed in school. More comprehensive learning communities include additional components: they co-enroll a group of students in multiple classes together, the courses have thematically linked curricula, instructors collaborate closely both to align their curricula and to support students, teaching includes project-based and experiential learning experiences, assignments and readings are integrated, and student services such as enhanced advising and tutoring can be embedded.

National Center For Postsecondary Research, Jul 1, 2012

Mpr Associates Inc, Dec 1, 2006

This report evaluates 12 high schools in the New American High Schools (NAHS) program. Launched i... more This report evaluates 12 high schools in the New American High Schools (NAHS) program. Launched in 1996, NAHS is a U.S. Department of Education research project that was developed to showcase school-reform practices in selected schools. The report is based on a study that used NAHS schools as a "laboratory" for researching reform practices. It documents their experiences in designing, implementing, and sustaining reform. Using in-depth case studies, the study drew on stories and examples from several of the schools to illustrate each of 10 reform initiatives. It focuses on strategies for raising academic standards and expectations and how to create small learning environments that enable students and teachers to work together. It shows how to structure learning around careers and students' interests and how to promote student achievement by enhancing educators' professional development. Tips on linking classroom and workplace learning and advice on providing counseling to encourage in-depth college and career awareness are also presented. Other practices include: organizing the school day into flexible, relevant segments; assessing students' performance; forging partnerships with two-and four-year postsecondary schools; and creating active student support alliances involving educators, employers, parents, and communities. Two appendices share strategies and other information. (Contains 76 references.) (RJM) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.

Community College Journal, 2007

The project was evaluated through several case study visits made to each of the demonstration pro... more The project was evaluated through several case study visits made to each of the demonstration projects and to four projects with similar goals in neighboring stater. Some of the major findings of the evaluation were the following: (1) the demonstration projects met their recruitment goals, enrolling 1,476 persons; (2) enrollment was heavily dependent on recruitment efforts;

Society For Research on Educational Effectiveness, 2011

Over the last 40 years, community colleges have played an increasingly vital role in American pos... more Over the last 40 years, community colleges have played an increasingly vital role in American postsecondary education. Since 1963, enrollment in these institutions has increased by more than 700 percent, with enrollment reaching 6.2 million students in [2006][2007]. Each fall, community colleges now enroll 35 percent of all postsecondary education students. † This dramatic growth is largely due to the fact that community colleges are open-entry institutions and are generally more affordable than four-year colleges and universities. Unfortunately, while enrollments are increasing, overall success rates in community colleges are disappointingly low. Among students who enroll in community colleges with the intention of earning a credential or transferring to a four-year institution, only 51 percent fulfill these expectations within six years. ‡ While the rates of degree or certificate attainment are low in general, rates are even lower for students in need of developmental education, who comprise a significant proportion of the community college student body. § Given these statistics, community college stakeholders are searching with increasing urgency for approaches with the potential for bolstering the success rates for community college students and particularly for those in need of developmental education. One popular strategy is to create "learning communities," an idea that has come to describe an array of programs and services offered at community colleges. The most basic learning community model, which is likely the most commonly implemented, simply co-enrolls a cohort of students into two classes together. Proponents believe that when students spend time together in multiple classes they are more likely to form social and academic support networks that in turn help students persist and succeed in school. More comprehensive learning communities include additional components: they co-enroll a group of students in multiple classes together, the courses have thematically linked curricula, instructors collaborate closely both to align their curricula and to support students, teaching includes project-based and experiential learning experiences, assignments and readings are integrated, and student services such as enhanced advising and tutoring can be embedded.

Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 2015

Over the last four decades, community colleges have played an increasingly important role in high... more Over the last four decades, community colleges have played an increasingly important role in higher education. Today, community colleges enroll more than one in every three undergraduates nationally. Unfortunately, among students who enroll in community colleges with the intent to earn a credential or transfer to a four-year institution, only 51 percent achieve that goal within six years. Many postsecondary institutions operate learning communities to improve low rates of success. Basic learning communities simply co-enroll a cohort of students into two classes together. More comprehensive learning communities include additional components: The courses have integrated curricula, instructors collaborate closely, and student services such as enhanced advising and tutoring can be embedded, among other approaches.

Community college leaders are using many strategies to improve their students' ability to complet... more Community college leaders are using many strategies to improve their students' ability to complete their studies, particularly their academically underprepared students. In recent years, these strategies have included adaptations of an approach long used in four-year colleges known as "learning communities," in which groups of students enroll together in two or more courses. Learning communities often feature thematically linked courses and offer an integrated curriculum that helps students to see connections between disciplines. Increasingly, colleges use learning communities to help academically underprepared students progress more quickly toward successful completion of their studies by linking a developmental course with a college-level course. Proponents of learning communities believe that linking courses in this way helps students get to know each other better or more quickly, enables them to see connections between disciplines, encourages them to engage more deeply with learning, and fosters stronger relationships with faculty. These experiences are expected to engage students and to ultimately improve their academic outcomes, including passing courses, persisting to the following semester, and earning a degree or certificate.

Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 2013

Acta Sociologica, 1983

The effects of class and nationality on perception of class conflict in Finland. Sweden, Norway a... more The effects of class and nationality on perception of class conflict in Finland. Sweden, Norway and Denmark are analysed Both class and nationality are found to have significant effects, but nationality is the more powerful pre dictor of this aspect of class consciousness. Fmns and Danes appear to be the most aware of class conflict. Norwegians and Swedes the least In general. skilled workers are the most conscious of class conflict, and the upper class the least. The data are from the Scandinavian Welfare Study (Helsinki 1972) and cross-tabulations are analysed using a logistic regression model.

National Center For Postsecondary Research, Jun 1, 2010

Mdrc, 2013

Preparing high school students for both college and career is a goal that few can disagree with. ... more Preparing high school students for both college and career is a goal that few can disagree with. But while much attention has focused on how to prepare students academically for life after high school, less has been directed at the nonacademic skills and knowledge that students need to succeed in college and the workplace. Schools are expected to teach these skills and knowledge, but they are rarely given the support, guidance, and tools needed to do so.

Mdrc, May 1, 2013

Community colleges face significant challenges retaining their diverse population of students and... more Community colleges face significant challenges retaining their diverse population of students and helping them progress to graduation. A key barrier is the developmental (or remedial) coursework in reading, writing, and/or mathematics to which a majority of entering students are referred. These lengthy sequences -often required for college-level work -can be daunting, and many students leave college before completing their developmental requirements, let alone attaining a credential. Developmental math, in particular, is a substantial stumbling block to college completion.

National Center For Postsecondary Research, Jun 1, 2010

Society For Research on Educational Effectiveness, 2012

Over the last 40 years, community colleges have played an increasingly vital role in American pos... more Over the last 40 years, community colleges have played an increasingly vital role in American postsecondary education. Since 1963, enrollment in these institutions has increased by more than 700 percent, with enrollment reaching 6.2 million students in [2006][2007]. Each fall, community colleges now enroll 35 percent of all postsecondary education students. † This dramatic growth is largely due to the fact that community colleges are open-entry institutions and are generally more affordable than four-year colleges and universities. Unfortunately, while enrollments are increasing, overall success rates in community colleges are disappointingly low. Among students who enroll in community colleges with the intention of earning a credential or transferring to a four-year institution, only 51 percent fulfill these expectations within six years. ‡ While the rates of degree or certificate attainment are low in general, rates are even lower for students in need of developmental education, who comprise a significant proportion of the community college student body. § Given these statistics, community college stakeholders are searching with increasing urgency for approaches with the potential for bolstering the success rates for community college students and particularly for those in need of developmental education. One popular strategy is to create "learning communities," an idea that has come to describe an array of programs and services offered at community colleges. The most basic learning community model, which is likely the most commonly implemented, simply co-enrolls a cohort of students into two classes together. Proponents believe that when students spend time together in multiple classes they are more likely to form social and academic support networks that in turn help students persist and succeed in school. More comprehensive learning communities include additional components: they co-enroll a group of students in multiple classes together, the courses have thematically linked curricula, instructors collaborate closely both to align their curricula and to support students, teaching includes project-based and experiential learning experiences, assignments and readings are integrated, and student services such as enhanced advising and tutoring can be embedded.

National Center For Postsecondary Research, Jul 1, 2012

Mpr Associates Inc, Dec 1, 2006

This report evaluates 12 high schools in the New American High Schools (NAHS) program. Launched i... more This report evaluates 12 high schools in the New American High Schools (NAHS) program. Launched in 1996, NAHS is a U.S. Department of Education research project that was developed to showcase school-reform practices in selected schools. The report is based on a study that used NAHS schools as a "laboratory" for researching reform practices. It documents their experiences in designing, implementing, and sustaining reform. Using in-depth case studies, the study drew on stories and examples from several of the schools to illustrate each of 10 reform initiatives. It focuses on strategies for raising academic standards and expectations and how to create small learning environments that enable students and teachers to work together. It shows how to structure learning around careers and students' interests and how to promote student achievement by enhancing educators' professional development. Tips on linking classroom and workplace learning and advice on providing counseling to encourage in-depth college and career awareness are also presented. Other practices include: organizing the school day into flexible, relevant segments; assessing students' performance; forging partnerships with two-and four-year postsecondary schools; and creating active student support alliances involving educators, employers, parents, and communities. Two appendices share strategies and other information. (Contains 76 references.) (RJM) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.

Community College Journal, 2007

The project was evaluated through several case study visits made to each of the demonstration pro... more The project was evaluated through several case study visits made to each of the demonstration projects and to four projects with similar goals in neighboring stater. Some of the major findings of the evaluation were the following: (1) the demonstration projects met their recruitment goals, enrolling 1,476 persons; (2) enrollment was heavily dependent on recruitment efforts;

Society For Research on Educational Effectiveness, 2011

Over the last 40 years, community colleges have played an increasingly vital role in American pos... more Over the last 40 years, community colleges have played an increasingly vital role in American postsecondary education. Since 1963, enrollment in these institutions has increased by more than 700 percent, with enrollment reaching 6.2 million students in [2006][2007]. Each fall, community colleges now enroll 35 percent of all postsecondary education students. † This dramatic growth is largely due to the fact that community colleges are open-entry institutions and are generally more affordable than four-year colleges and universities. Unfortunately, while enrollments are increasing, overall success rates in community colleges are disappointingly low. Among students who enroll in community colleges with the intention of earning a credential or transferring to a four-year institution, only 51 percent fulfill these expectations within six years. ‡ While the rates of degree or certificate attainment are low in general, rates are even lower for students in need of developmental education, who comprise a significant proportion of the community college student body. § Given these statistics, community college stakeholders are searching with increasing urgency for approaches with the potential for bolstering the success rates for community college students and particularly for those in need of developmental education. One popular strategy is to create "learning communities," an idea that has come to describe an array of programs and services offered at community colleges. The most basic learning community model, which is likely the most commonly implemented, simply co-enrolls a cohort of students into two classes together. Proponents believe that when students spend time together in multiple classes they are more likely to form social and academic support networks that in turn help students persist and succeed in school. More comprehensive learning communities include additional components: they co-enroll a group of students in multiple classes together, the courses have thematically linked curricula, instructors collaborate closely both to align their curricula and to support students, teaching includes project-based and experiential learning experiences, assignments and readings are integrated, and student services such as enhanced advising and tutoring can be embedded.

Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 2015

Over the last four decades, community colleges have played an increasingly important role in high... more Over the last four decades, community colleges have played an increasingly important role in higher education. Today, community colleges enroll more than one in every three undergraduates nationally. Unfortunately, among students who enroll in community colleges with the intent to earn a credential or transfer to a four-year institution, only 51 percent achieve that goal within six years. Many postsecondary institutions operate learning communities to improve low rates of success. Basic learning communities simply co-enroll a cohort of students into two classes together. More comprehensive learning communities include additional components: The courses have integrated curricula, instructors collaborate closely, and student services such as enhanced advising and tutoring can be embedded, among other approaches.

Community college leaders are using many strategies to improve their students' ability to complet... more Community college leaders are using many strategies to improve their students' ability to complete their studies, particularly their academically underprepared students. In recent years, these strategies have included adaptations of an approach long used in four-year colleges known as "learning communities," in which groups of students enroll together in two or more courses. Learning communities often feature thematically linked courses and offer an integrated curriculum that helps students to see connections between disciplines. Increasingly, colleges use learning communities to help academically underprepared students progress more quickly toward successful completion of their studies by linking a developmental course with a college-level course. Proponents of learning communities believe that linking courses in this way helps students get to know each other better or more quickly, enables them to see connections between disciplines, encourages them to engage more deeply with learning, and fosters stronger relationships with faculty. These experiences are expected to engage students and to ultimately improve their academic outcomes, including passing courses, persisting to the following semester, and earning a degree or certificate.

Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 2013

Acta Sociologica, 1983

The effects of class and nationality on perception of class conflict in Finland. Sweden, Norway a... more The effects of class and nationality on perception of class conflict in Finland. Sweden, Norway and Denmark are analysed Both class and nationality are found to have significant effects, but nationality is the more powerful pre dictor of this aspect of class consciousness. Fmns and Danes appear to be the most aware of class conflict. Norwegians and Swedes the least In general. skilled workers are the most conscious of class conflict, and the upper class the least. The data are from the Scandinavian Welfare Study (Helsinki 1972) and cross-tabulations are analysed using a logistic regression model.