About the Momentum pillar
Confusing course and degree sequences, challenging schedules, and rigid major requirements muddy the path to completion. We work with colleges to meet students where they are, balancing flexibility and structure and clarifying the path to a degree or credential.
Momentum is about helping students gain and sustain critical progress at the beginning of their college journey. When students are successful early on, they’re more likely to reach the finish line. Data tells us the best way to create that momentum is to remove unnecessary barriers and ensure students hit essential milestones like completing gateway courses and accumulating credits as soon as possible.
Facilitate strong starts that sustain critical progress
Students face blocks to progress from day one of college, including unrecognized prior learning, inconsistent support to get up to speed for college-level learning, poorly designed curricular sequences, and miscommunication about credit hours needed for on-time graduation. CCA guides colleges in facilitating strong starts that sustain critical progress.
Photos by Allison Shelley/Complete College Photo Library
Credit for Prior Learning
Recognize the prior learning, skills, and knowledge that students possess and establish mechanisms to award appropriate credits.
Multiple Measures
Consider a variety of placement options that include high school grade point average to provide more ways for students to take a college-level class in their first semester.
Corequisite Support
Design structures and pedagogical approaches for students needing or requesting additional support to succeed in college-level foundational math and English courses that allow students to complete requirements in a single academic term.
Dual Enrollment
Provide high school students opportunities to take college classes while they are still in high school so they can get an early start on college.
15 to Finish/Stay on Track
Invest in coordinated communications efforts and structural solutions to match student credit loads with the credits needed for on-time graduation for both part-time and full-time students.
Check out our other pillars
Purpose
Aligning the college experience to each student’s goals for the future.
Structure
Facilitate strong starts that sustain critical progress.
Support
Address co-curricular needs so students can focus on college goals.