Presents results of a survey of course withdrawal policies at two-year colleges in Iowa, focusing on deadlines, grades given for dropped courses, drop initiation procedures, and recent policy changes. Finds that most schools permit students to drop classes late in the term with a nonpunitive grade. Discusses practical implications. (DMM)

Describes an investigation of the role expectations perceived by practicing two-year college biology instructors. Considers the potential inconsistency between preservice graduate training and current hiring criteria and associated role expectations. Finds training adequate for hiring criteria but less adequate for preparing instructors for role…

Reports on a study of factors perceived by faculty from 15 Massachusetts community colleges as having the most effect on college image and of faculty roles in image-enhancing activities. Finds faculty in agreement that high-quality, well-designed academic programs, plus good student-faculty relationships, enhance the external image of the college.…

Underscores the importance of police officers understanding mental retardation when dealing with mentally retarded offenders. Describes a study comparing the effectiveness of two instructional methods for increasing officer knowledge about the mentally retarded. Discusses implications for police educators and ways of identifying mentally retarded…

Looks at the methods and findings of a national study of the supervisory responsibilities and demographic, educational, and experiential characteristics of chief business officers (CBO's) at two-year colleges. Found that the majority of CBO's were middle-aged White males, held graduate degrees, and averaged over eight years in their current…

Reports on an investigation of public knowledge and opinion about locally elected community college boards of education, focusing on public awareness of board composition, activities, and operations; and the extent of public involvement. Finds a need for better community college public relations and greater community awareness. (DMM)

Presents a study of especially effective community college teachers, involving interviews with teachers with outstanding reputations and high-achieving students to determine instructional methods, alterable teaching behaviors, and techniques for improving teaching. Underscores the importance of planned course goals, respect for and interest in…

Details a study of learning involvement among adults through interviews with 41 males over 25 enrolled at a small New England community college. Interviews revealed that in the preceding year respondents completed an average of seven learning projects, spending 285 hours on each, and that 56 percent of the projects were self-directed. (DMM)

Describes a study which contrasted the persistence rates of community college transfer students with those of native university students over a six-year period. Indicates that transfer students had lower persistence rates than native students during their second and third terms, though rates for the fourth term showed no differences. (DMM)

Reports on a study of perceptions about the roles played by community college presidents during the reorganization of administrative structures from the division level through the president's level. Focuses on the perceptions of chancellors, presidents, and key administrators at two Texas community college districts. (DMM)

Discusses a telephone follow-up survey of individuals who initiated the admission process at College of Lake County (Illinois), comparing students who registered with non-registrants. Reports that job-related, financial, and personal reasons were given for not enrolling. Suggests that poor academic preparation may also have been a factor. (DMM)

Reports on a study of 295 academically gifted students enrolled in four midwestern community colleges. Considers student demographics, high school background, perceptions of quality of instruction, and involvement in honors programs. Discusses implications for practice. (DMM)

Assesses effects on student performance and retention of efforts to enhance learning in two introductory accounting courses through more opportunities for active learning, more frequent feedback on student progress, and better standardization of student performance evaluations. Reports improvements in student performance but no change in…

Describes a study conducted to assess the effects of teaching a structured notetaking procedure to Calculus I students. Reports higher success rates among students who learned the technique than students taking the course the previous term, and increasingly positive attitudes toward the procedure over the course of the term. (DMM)

Reviews major research conducted between 1984 and 1989 on test anxiety among college, concluding that test anxiety may result from long-term memory problems. Explores techniques for reducing test anxiety, assessing the relative validity of each. Proposes a holistic approach to reducing test anxiety that addresses cognitive and emotional…