We find clear evidence that the CTCs themselves had recognized many of these problems and begun to address them well before the passage of SB 653. These and other findings are described in greater detail below, and underlie the recommendations contained herein. The following findings are necessarily summary in nature. We would be happy to provide additional detail and information on any of the findings set forth below, as the Policy Commission might request or direct. There are significant barriers to access to the Advantage Valley CTCs.
Visibility is an enormous barrier to access.
The Advantage Valley CTCs are all but invisible. CTCs are not presently effectively promoted by high schools or in the work place, due in part to lack of effective marketing efforts for community college education. Cost is a barrier. Presently, CTC tuition at the Advantage Valley CTCs is the same as tuition at the baccalaureate programs. CTC tuition is relatively high on a comparative basis.