Chapter 6

Chapter 6 is a little revolves around potential cost saving that community colleges can realize by switching to a pathways model. The authors concede that upfront costs will be more expensive but that by retaining more students (due to the structured pathways model) the overall costs will actually decrease. The authors point to state and federal policy changes that have induced performance funding models that are beginning to take hold nationwide. These funding models incentivize colleges that increase their completion rates.  

This chapter also explores evolving educational models beginning to take hold (such as competency based models, "unbundled classes" and accelerated programs) and compares them to the pathways models. Additionally, they discuss technological innovations that are also beginning to compete more and more with the traditional educational model. The authors suggest that these models may enhance and add-value to the pathways model and that as more time progresses their utility in the educational delivery mix will be better ascertained than at the current time.