SERVING LOS ANGELES: URBAN COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS AMONG LATINO STUDENTS

This article reports the special efforts of the largest community college district in the country to assist its largest ethnic group to succeed. The Los Angeles Community College District consists of nine campuses; the Latino student population ranges from 22–75 percent of the total number of students. In this article, using questionnaire data from the Transfer and Retention of Urban Community College students (TRUCCS) Project, we compare Latino to non-Latino students in terms of both academic and non-academic outcomes. We conclude with the description of special efforts by the district to serve its constituents through special clubs, organizations, and other special programs aimed at the Latino population.