Because community colleges are often affordable, they offer many students the opportunity to gain postsecondary education. It has been found that many students, who start at community college, drop out. Because of this problem, the Opening Doors Demonstration tested the effects of community college programs designed to combat this low retention rate and improve student achievement. This report describes MDRC's evaluation of six community colleges undergoing programs to increase student persistence.

This article reviews a project designed to provide welfare recipients working 20 hours a week with an education program at a local community college. The 24 week program included mathematics, English, computer skills, as well as life skills necessary for successful employment. This article is an evaluation of the program in terms of improving employment opportunities for welfare recipients.

Through MDRC's Opening Doors Demonstration and funded by state TANF dollars, New Orleans offers programs at two community colleges to offer scholarships for low-income parents. This article reviews early findings from the program and the positive effect that it has on helping improve outcomes for low-income families.

While community colleges provide opportunities for low-income and disadvantaged populations to receive higher education, the persistence to stay in such programs is low. From MDRC's Opening Doors Demonstration, this report reviews the effects of educational supports such as enhanced academic advising and increased financial aid to improve participation in community college programs.