Sailing to Graduation: Improving Completion Rates for Community College Students in Lorain County, Ohio

Sailing to Graduation: Improving Completion Rates for Community College Students in Lorain County, Ohio

In 2014, Ohio rolled out its outcomes-based funding formula, called State Share of Instruction. At the same time, Lorain County Community College (LCCC) began piloting a student support services program, with the goal of improving graduation rates and closing the achievement gap for under-resourced learners. This white paper provides an example of what can happen when a high-performing institution—Lorain County Community College in Ohio—is supported by effective policies to expand a successful program to improve student outcomes.

“SAIL’s year two results continue to impress. Two-year graduation rates more than doubled—19% of the program group earned a degree or credential, in contrast to 8% of students in the control group.”