Achieving the Dream

Achieving the Dream, a network of more than 200 colleges in 35 states, works to help some 4 million students complete their degrees and thus have a better chance of realizing greater economic opportunity. The network will serve as the intermediary for the ZTC-Degree Initiative by making grants to several community colleges and supporting efforts to successfully implement ZTC degrees. Development of degree pathways that require no textbook costs for students, especially at institutions serving students from disadvantaged populations, will facilitate more mainstream adoption of OER in postsecondary institutions.

Achieving the Dream is the leading college network championing evidence-based institutional improvement to help community colleges improve outcomes for low-income students and students of color who dream of achieving their goals for academic success and economic opportunity. Building on the success of the OER Degree Initiative, this group aims to create a suite of evidence-based supports to help colleges and their faculty design and teach highly effective open courses. The group will study the course design process and impacts of these courses on student learning, especially for students who have traditionally been left behind in higher education.