College Promise Initiatives Encouraged to Incorporate New Strategies - Jamal Watson, Diverse Education

Martha Kanter, the executive director of College Promise Campaign, said that the national, nonpartisan initiative to build broad public support for funding the first two years of higher education is having an impact. Kanter said access to college was virtually free for many years, but things began to change after Word War II. She said the rising costs of an education, coupled with a litany of other programs including homelessness and food insecurity, have contributed to the challenges that many college-going students face. Dr. Karen A. Stout, President and CEO of Achieving the Dream, said College Promise efforts vary from state to state. “These programs take different forms,” she said, adding that many institutions have embraced Open Education Resources, which allows free access to digital textbooks and other resources for students working to earn full degrees. http://diverseeducation.com/article/115537/