# How Remote is Success? The impact of course modality on community college student success file\_download **Size:** 424.68 KB **Format:** PDF **Date:** 07/10/2025 [ Download Resource file\_download ](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/2025-07/How%20Remote%20is%20Success.pdf) This brief examines how course modality—particularly online and hybrid instruction—affects student academic outcomes and persistence at the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD). Using student-level administrative data from before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors analyze how attempting credits in distance education modalities influences GPA, credit accumulation, and continued enrollment. The findings show that taking online courses is associated with small but persistent negative effects on GPA and persistence, though these effects have lessened since the pandemic due to major investments in technology, faculty training, and student supports. Outcomes vary meaningfully by modality and dosage: students who take *some* courses online alongside in-person classes tend to fare better than those who take all courses online, and asynchronous formats generally produce better outcomes than synchronous ones. The brief highlights important variation across student populations and emphasizes the need for thoughtful course design and targeted supports to balance flexibility with student success in an increasingly online community college landscape. See also the working paper "[Going the Distance or Growing More Remote? The Academic Impacts of Course Modality following Pandemic-Era Investments."](https://edworkingpapers.com/ai25-1183) See also:- [ Research and Reports ](/resource-type/research-report) - [ Researcher ](/audience/researcher) - [ School/District Leader ](/audience/schooldistrict-leader) - [ Postsecondary Access & Success ](/focus-areas/postsecondary-access-and-success) - [ Leveraging Technology and Engaging Students (LTES) ](/https%3A//cepr.harvard.edu/leveraging-technology-and-engaging-students-ltes) - [ 2025 ](/year/2025) - [ Postsecondary ](/sector/postsecondary)