President Lane Glenn periodically hosts open forums where the NECC community can hear his views on the hot topics of the day. Come, listen, ask questions! Please RSVP HERE.

Hot Topics with President Glenn
Should Community College in Massachusetts be Free?

Massachusetts is the most highly educated state in the nation: Nearly half of adults in the Commonwealth have at least a bachelor’s degree. 

Most jobs in Massachusetts that pay family-sustaining wages require a college degree.

Recent estimates suggest we may be nearly 200,000 college-educated adults short of the workforce we need by 2030. Degree completion varies quite a lot by geography, income, and race.  Low-income Black and Hispanic residents in the state’s Gateway Cities, like Lawrence and Haverhill, are much less likely to have college degrees than White residents in Andover and Newburyport.

College is expensive. So, what do we do?

One recently proposed solution is to make community college free to all residents of the state.

Should we, or not?

Reasonable minds may disagree. Let’s discuss.

To prepare for our conversation, you may find it helpful to read these brief recent articles:

Read:

• Should Community College be Free?  By James Peyser, former Massachusetts Secretary of Education
• Spilka Renews Push for Free Community College By Commonwealth Beacon Editor Michael Jonas
• Free Community College Plan Should Target Those Who Need It Most By Boston University Professor Joshua Goodman
• Taking on the Free Community College Critics By State Senator Joanne Comerford

And for extra credit:

• Planning and Delivery of Free Community College in Massachusetts (the full 86-page report and recommendations provided to the legislature)