Dive Brief:

• Inside Higher Ed, with Gallup Education, surveyed 213 community college presidents, finding that only 39% think their states would implement free community college, even with federal support.
• Less than half — 38% — agreed they are losing students to for-profit colleges, according to the survey findings.
• Inside Higher Ed reports that 77% of community college presidents believe there is a workforce skills gap in their communities and 89% are working with local businesses to address it.

Dive Insight:

Inside Higher Ed has been partnering with researchers to survey key higher education professionals for years. The latest results from Gallup Education show an industry committed to filling skills needs in its community but pessimistic about the reality of proposals to expand their reach with free schooling. President Obama floated such a proposal in his state of the union address this year, highlighting the success and promise of free two-year programs in Tennessee and the city of Chicago. The survey also asked community college presidents about online instruction, the need for structured pathways to keep students on track, and stackable certifications.