Good Data. Strong Commitment. Better Policy. Improved Outcomes.

When Achieving the Dream was launched in 2004, most states focused on college access as a central policy agenda for community colleges. Since then, this initiative has dramatically changed the policy environment in the 15 states that signed on. In each, community college student success, particularly for low-income and underprepared students, is now a central priority. As one of the first national initiatives focused on better completion rates for community college students, Achieving the Dream partners with states to:

• Improve the collection and use of student outcome data to guide policy and institutional change; and
• Help states implement a coherent policy set that removes obstacles to—and creates incentives for—improved student persistence and completion.

A key component of this effort is structured collaboration among institutional and state-level innovators and leaders. This interaction accelerates local innovation, spreads lessons across institutions efficiently, and drives the strategic use of state resources and capacity to support student success. As pressures on higher education for improved performance and accountability have increased, Achieving the Dream has been an important support for states seeking to demonstrate better results from public investments.