Analysis Of David Hosansky's Community College

Many students looking to continue their education ask themselves many questions. For example: What they wish to major in? What are the options available and how much money is involved? David Hosansky discusses educational institutions in his article “Community Colleges.” De Los Santos of the League for Innovation in the Community College says, “community colleges are filling a gap that is not being met” (qtd. in Hosansky 393). The initiative of allowing some community colleges to offer four-year degrees is a just another way collaborating together to improve education. Transfer credits are an example of one way they work together. Community college education is often devalued, offering four-year degrees will expand economic and academic options.
Though financial matters are a cause for worry it is not the only trouble. There is also concern about what to study, and the level of mastery achieved. An article posted on The Chronicle of Higher Education states, “[...] generally speaking, most community colleges these days are either part of the same state system as four-year institutions, or else have detailed articulation agreements with them. [...] In other words, in most states, English 101 at the local community college is the same course as English 101 at the state university” (Jenkins, “Part 1”). If community colleges already offer some four-year institution courses, why not offer the courses necessary for a four-year degree? There are advantages and disadvantages in both educational systems. Community colleges have the advantage over four-year schools in the aspect of class size. The Chronicle of Higher Education article says, “[...] community colleges actually offer students certain advantages, academically speaking. For one thing, class sizes tend to be much smaller in most core courses. Instead of 400 people in your biology lecture at a university, for instance, you are more likely to have 40 students in that same class at a community college” (Jenkins, “Part 1”). Four-year degrees are already being offered at certain community colleges,
At one point in time community colleges held the position of prestige that four-year institutions now obtain. Robert P. Pedersen claims, “ In 1929, it was easier to get into Yale than into Taft Junior College in California [...]” (qtd. in Hosansky 394). Education is belittled when importance is placed on the location where the degree was earned, and not on whether you have received a degree. The Chronicle of Higher Education article proclaims, “[...] if people have access to a community college, then they have access to college. Community colleges are colleges” (Jenkins, “Part 2”). A statement leading one to conclude that though community colleges are not valued as much as four-year universities. Many view a community college degree as less, than a degree from a four-year institution. Community colleges offering four-year degrees compound the opportunities already being