Community and Technical Colleges

On Monday, President Barack Obama officially unveiled his budget for 2013.  As he spoke from Northern Virginia Community College, Obama highlighted the more than $65 billion in education funding focused on resources dedicated to transforming K-12 and postsecondary education to ensure students have the skills and knowledge to succeed in the future.

In his 2012 State of the Union address, President Barack Obama focused on strategies and programs for an economy that's "built to last."  Part of that blueprint included educational initiatives tied to the growing skills gaps, increasing opportunities at community colleges, and a commitment to continue the reforms at the K-12 level.

Traditionally, community colleges have served an important but limited role in higher education. They offer students two-year associate’s degrees. Students typically are able to attend classes close to home, sparing them the need to pay room and board; and they prepare students to enroll in four-year universities where they can work toward bachelor degrees. A bill in the Michigan legislature would  make that state the latest to authorize community colleges to offer four-year degrees for students.