CCSSE captures students’ experiences with learning, engagement, relationships, support, and progress toward their education and career goals. The survey examines how students spend their time, the academic work they are asked to complete, how they interact with instructors and other students, and whether they can access the advising, services, and resources they need.
The survey also provides information about students’ educational plans, outside responsibilities, financial circumstances, and other factors that may affect their ability to persist and complete their programs.
Survey instruments available:
In order to keep the surveys fresh and relevant for the community college field, CCCSE each year selects a "special-focus" topic and develops five items on that topic that enables colleges to explore more deeply certain issues that are key to improved student engagement and student success.
The 2027 special-focus topic is forthcoming.
Previous CCSSE Special-Focus Items
- 2026 CCSSE Special-Focus Items – Civic Learning
- 2025 CCSSE Special-Focus Items – AI and the Learning Environment
- 2024 CCSSE Special-Focus Items – Transfer
- 2023 CCSSE Special-Focus Items – Guided Career Pathways
- 2022 CCSSE Special-Focus Items – Dual Enrollment
- 2021 CCSSE Special-Focus Items – COVID-19 Impact
- 2020 CCSSE Special-Focus Items – Dual Enrollment
- 2019 CCSSE Special-Focus Items – Guided Pathways
- 2018 CCSSE Special-Focus Items – Academic Mindset
- 2017 CCSSE Special-Focus Items – Academic Advising and Planning
- 2016 CCSSE Special-Focus Items – Part-Timeness
- 2011-2015 CCSSE Special-Focus Items – Promising Practices for Community College Student Success
- 2010 CCSSE Special-Focus Items – Deep Learning
- 2009 CCSSE Special-Focus Items – Technology
- 2008 CCSSE Special-Focus Items – Student Financial Aid
- 2007 CCSSE Special-Focus Items – The Entering Student Experience
- 2006 CCSSE Special-Focus Items – Academic Advising and Planning
Additional Item Sets
For an additional fee, a participating CCSSE college may add a maximum of 15 additional items to the survey. Additional survey items may be chosen from the CCSSE collection of standard additional item sets. Alternatively, a college or consortium may opt to create a custom additional item set by selecting items from the Additional Items Catalog, developing new items, or submitting a combination of both. Please visit the Options and Rates section of the website for more information. When selecting additional items, be sure to check items against those on CCSSE to avoid overlap.
