Describes a study that attempts to assess team leader skills and effectiveness within self-managed teams at the College of the Mainland in Texas. Indicates that communication skills, problem solving, and defining team goals were the skills participants considered most important in a leader. (JDI)

Defines contextual learning, or presenting new information to students in familiar contexts. Argues that community colleges must be ready for an anticipated increase in contextual learners due to its use in tech prep programs. Describes elements of contextual learning, its application in the classroom, and ways that colleges can prepare for…

Argues that the constantly changing workplace and the need for workers to be adaptable requires changes in postsecondary curricula. Suggests that jobs created by the new economy will require higher skills. Argues that the new economy will blur demarcations that exist between community colleges, proprietary schools, and other postsecondary…

Discusses the increasing adoption of the learning community ideal among community colleges, describing the leaders and organizations who have contributed to this movement. Reviews five indicators of a learning community: effective learning, professional development plans for every employee, constant reevaluation of missions and values,…

Reviews the role of accreditation in American higher education and shortcomings related to its inconsistency and lack of rigor. Discusses the 1996 creation of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to oversee accreditation activities. Describes CHEA's organizational structure and analyzes its impact on accreditation and educational…

Argues that, despite the provision of community-based educational services, community colleges do not play a key role in social change in their communities. Reviews the history of community development in the colleges, suggesting that original goals were designed to be noncontroversial. Discusses increasing foundation support to address community…

Describes California's Educational Development Network (ED>Net), an experimental effort to use the existing community college infrastructure to enhance the state's economic development activities. Highlights ED>Net's focus on developing organization, process, and individual skills in the current workforce. Indicates that ED>Net is composed of…

Reviews the Boeing Tech Prep Program, an associate degree program combining high school and community college vocational and academic curricula. Describes the three phases of the program's development: the provision of seed grants to schools, the development of an associate degree program, and the institution of an internship program. (MAB)

Discusses worker training and education programs negotiated by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) with three major communications industry corporations. Describes features of the Alliance for Employee Growth and Development, providing training and assistance to AT&T employees; Pathways, offering courses to employees of US West…

Discusses the effects of the federal appellate court decision in "Hopwood v. University of Texas School of Law," which found race-based admissions criteria in violation of the Constitution. Reviews issues related to permissible admissions criteria, punitive damages, class actions, and administrator personal liability. (MAB)

Discusses the Professional Development Initiative, created by the University of South Carolina and the state's technical college system to provide technical college faculty and administrators with professional development activities. Indicates that the program has two components: a set of six core courses to improve organizational understanding…

Describes the importance for community colleges of looking toward the future to compete effectively. Suggests that change is a variable process that progresses slowly or quickly depending on the interaction of three variables: competitors, customers, and organizational cultures. Includes a checklist for college leaders to determine their level of…

Reviews possible effects of pending workforce development and welfare reform legislation on the delivery of support services to communities. Highlights structural reforms involved in state-based initiatives. Suggests that community colleges may have to reconfigure program lengths and accountability methods to adapt. (MAB)

Reviews characteristics and operations of state legislatures in the context of the current reforms proposed by the federal government and the devolution of authority to the states via block grants. Examines proposed changes related to welfare, Medicaid, workforce training, and taxation, highlighting the impact of these reforms on state…

Reviews the implementation of the Tech Prep Associate Degree Program in Ohio. Discusses six components of the state's approach to establishing Tech Prep, the program's current status, and linkages with other state and national education reform efforts. Suggests that strong state leadership and the active participation of postsecondary institutions…