President Obama to promote community colleges

So that's what he's doing in Detroit today.

(CNN) – Community colleges are only two-year institutions, but the Obama administration says they could play a key role in helping to boost the ailing economy for years to come.

To underscore that contention, the president is heading to Warren, Michigan, on Tuesday to unveil a plan that will invest $12 billion over the next decade in community colleges across the country.

Martha Kanter, undersecretary of Education, says it's a critical investment, because community colleges have not historically "done enough to get students through, to move them into the workforce, and to get them through the higher-education transfer programs." She added that "we're very concerned about providing access and opportunity during this terrible fiscal climate."

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There are 6 million Americans in community colleges. The administration's initiatives are seen as the foundation to help boost enrollment and graduation rates.