Does Cooling Out Still Apply? Community Colleges and Educational Expectations

Abstract

ABSTRACT “Cooling out” is the theoretical process in which community college counselors and faculty seek to adjust the academic goals of low achieving students. Though the rationale behind the concept has changed since it was proposed almost 70 years ago, it is still relevant in the present political environment in which leaders are stressing community colleges as ways to increase higher education opportunities for the public. This research uses data from the 2002 Educational Longitudinal Study to investigate the effects of enrolling in and taking classes at a community college on the likelihood of a student achieving his or her 12th grade higher educational aspiration. About 65% of students who started at a community college had aspired in high school to get a bachelor’s degree. This study found that starting at community colleges or receiving associate degrees has a negative effect on the likelihood that students meet or exceed their bachelor’s degree aspirations within eight years after high school. In contrast, more hours earned improves the likelihood of meeting their aspirations. Furthermore, students who are from a low socio-economic background, or earn low grades, are more likely to not meet their educational aspirations. This research highlights the importance for practitioner interventions for community college students to help more meet their educational aspirations.