This article isn't my experience, but I come out of the tribal community college system. Maybe the tribal colleges are an anomaly, but they do mentoring and monitoring because nothing else really works. Technology is used to provide individual tutoring and a lot of support. A lot of the students are older than average and most have families. Vocational programs and standard academic classes are taught so vocational students can easily move to academics. The GED program at the college is always busy picking up where the high school failed.
All classes transfer because they wouldn't be taught otherwise and a close working relationship with the state with common course numbering being used with all state institutions and tribals schools. This allows students to pick up the big generals in a smaller setting with tutor and various academic program support. Plus, the cost is much lower.
Also, some students take college courses during their senior (and sometimes junior) year in high school. Their cost is like $15/credit hour and it transfers.
Beyond education, many tribal community colleges are centers for activities in the community and often a focus point for government programs.