Describes effects of the burgeoning information culture on the community college mission, suggesting that colleges can focus on providing learning rather than filling classrooms. Argues that the information network currently being built represents a fifth utility for communities. Provides seven practical first steps for colleges seeking to…

Reviews the origins of Florida's community college system and traces trends from 1983 to 1996. Addresses such topics as enrollment; financial support from taxes, the state lottery, and student fees; college-level skills testing; technical education; and performance-based incentive funding and budgeting. Discusses forces that will shape the…

Discusses the development of Georgia's 15 two-year colleges and 32 technical institutes and describes a 1994 formal agreement to resolve differences between the systems and increase collaboration. Highlights factors, such as the use of lottery funds for scholarships, that will increase the state's traditionally low participation rates in…

Discusses efforts over the past 25 years to formalize the role of West Virginia's community colleges in the context of the state's rural character and low college graduation rates. Describes a reorganization following a 1987 study by the Carnegie Foundation and state legislation designed to fine tune the colleges' mission. (10 citations) (AJL)

Describes the establishment of North Carolina's community colleges, indicating that providing education, training, and retraining for the workforce has been the foremost component of their mission since their inception. Considers current trends affecting the colleges, including an emerging emphasis on readiness for global competition and funding…

Describes the development and organization of the four campuses of Delaware Technical and Community College. Summarizes recent developments, such as the implementation of a renewed college-wide planning process and a focus on a system-wide mission, rather than campus-based goals. Reviews current college program offerings, enrollments, and budget.…

Describes the development of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), stressing the similarities between the system's goals and Thomas Jefferson's views on public education in a democratic society. Reviews five major VCCS initiatives of the 1990s: improving transfer, reducing program length, implementing information technology, ensuring…

Provides information on the population of Maryland and describes the development of the state's 18 community colleges. Reviews student and system characteristics, governance, and finances. Highlights current issues related to procuring state financial support, revising the transfer policy, maintaining system-wide data, and implementing distance…

Discusses the development of the South Carolina Technical College System in the 1960s to help draw industry to the state. Describes the System's Innovative Technical Training initiative to infuse high technology into curricula, the Access and Equity Program, tech prep and school-to-work initiatives, and distance learning. (10 citations) (AJL)

Presents an annotated bibliography of current ERIC documents related to leadership skills and styles in community colleges. Provides nine articles covering such topics as strategies for effecting organizational change, qualities of effective leaders, and the relationship between gender and leadership style. (AJL)

Describes the Community College Induction/Mentoring (CCIM) project, a two-year induction program for new faculty at Iowa's community colleges. Discusses the project's characteristics, goals, and design and presents research used in the development of the program. Reviews the roles of mentor teachers and lists the benefits of CCIM. (30 citations)…

Describes a study that examined three areas of student assessment in a college algebra classroom (i.e., oral interactions, observations, and problem-solving investigations) before and after the use of graphing calculators in class activities. Reports that the use of the calculators enhanced the teacher's assessment practices in all three areas.…

Describes a study of 3,000 community college department chairs to identify and prioritize strategies used to cope with job-related challenges. Indicates that top strategies were related to relations with business and industry, maintaining the chair position, and internal departmental operations. Discusses implications for future research. (10…

Describes a study of 703 faculty at 7 Mississippi community colleges regarding their willingness to participate in aging education training and incorporate related content into curricula. Reports that 60% were uncertain about including aging education in curricula, but 61% indicated interest in attending courses on aging issues. (13 citations)…

Describes community-based programming (CBP), a cooperative process that allows community and technical colleges to address critical issues through coalitions. Provides strategies for creating effective coalitions, focusing on information that new members should know, essential leadership qualities, group rules and activities, and ways to close…