When we talk about the cost of textbooks at Oregon’s community colleges, how much money are we really talking about? In 2015 and 2017, Open Oregon Educational Resources gathered locally relevant cost data that could be compared across institutions. Over two years, estimated costs have fallen as textbook affordability initiatives in Oregon’s colleges have grown.
Key takeaways:
- Lower textbook costs enable students to redirect savings towards additional course tuition or other needs such as food, housing, transportation, or childcare.
- Prominently designating no-cost and low-cost courses in the schedule enables students to make informed choices as they plan their term.
- Administrative support for textbook affordability programs can mitigate the impact of tuition increases on student costs.
This webinar will cover the research design, results, and lessons learned in collecting this unique data set. Presenter Amy Hofer is Coordinator, Statewide Open Education Library Services.
