[legion]

For a motivated but cash-strapped student, CC can literally be the difference between a college education and no college education.

That said, I took a welding class last fall, and I and my friend were only their to casually learn and we were far more serious than the slackers in the class that wanted to be professional welders. In a class of ten people, there were two A's (my friend and I), 4 C's, and 4 F's. Two people never showed for more than one class--but didn't drop it either. Two others missed at least four classes. The instruction had really been boild down to the lowest common denominator and just showing up for every class was all that was really required to pass. That was too high a standard for 40% of the class!!!

I think the highly-motivated students are in the minority in CC, but it's existence is well justified because it allows them to come out of the college experience with the same credentials but less debt.