The first phase of development of the contemporary 2-year college established the transfer or pre-professional goal, the second phase initiated the additional goal of occupationally-oriented education of a post-high school level and the third phase introduced the goal of community service. Ideally the public 2-year college should offer diverse curricular programs (transfer, occupational-associate degree and occupational-certificate), have guidance and counseling readily available, and provide special services for remedial and continuing education students. A representative sample of public 2-year colleges was studied with respect to admission policies, counseling services and curricular programs. The results of a survey examining the extent to which public 2-year colleges are conforming to this ideal model indicated that almost all 2-year colleges fulfill the guidance and counseling standard, but little over half of the colleges have the curricular offerings and admission policies expected of public 2-year colleges. Much more effort must go into encouraging and assisting these schools in widening their doors to new students and developing remedial education. (MN)