Offers advice on what to look for in a voicemail system, how to evaluate bid proposals, what to include in a contract, and how to work with voicemail vendors. Discusses accountability questions and technological pitfalls, urges buyers to see the system "up and working," and suggests what not to expect of voicemail. (MAB)

Discusses the Florida legislature's attempts to promote accountability for educational outcomes in its community colleges. Describes Florida's Performance-Based Training and Performance-Based Budgeting, designed to increase college performance while adapting to tightening budgeting requirements. Suggests that there is considerable risk that these…

Discusses the role of corporate support of, and partnerships with, community colleges in providing workforce development programs. Provides information on soliciting corporate support and describes several college-corporate partnership programs. Indicates that the success of corporate proposals depends upon the articulation of the "return on…

Describes the Urban Partnership Program (UPP), a Ford Foundation educational initiative located in 16 cities nationwide. Indicates that UPP gathers business and civic leaders, educators, community-based organizations, students, and parents to cooperate in developing and funding locally based educational programs. (MAB)

Discusses the possibility of a community college baccalaureate degree. States that this degree would offer an alternative to the traditional bachelor's degree for students in occupational fields desiring further education. Indicates that such a program offers students a chance to complete their bachelor's degree in a field that is market current.…

Examines findings from a two-year national study of work-based learning programs in community colleges. Indicates that community colleges, when provided with the requisite opportunity, resources, and support, can deliver valuable work-based learning experiences to students. Describes the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994. (17 citations)…

Discusses the importance of creating a learning community in the classroom to help stimulate community college student success. Urges teachers to examine teaching methods and modify content and delivery to meet the complex needs of each new community. Urges instructors to encourage cooperation among students and respect diverse talents and ways of…

Discusses the benefits of utilizing multimedia computer applications in community college education. Describes an English instructor's experiences with multimedia instruction, highlighting potential benefits and limitations of such programs. Indicates that multimedia coursework allows for greater flexibility in setting curricula and more…

Discusses several key components of teaching excellence. Suggests that excellent teachers must demonstrate their knowledge and competence, prepare relevant teaching strategies, relate to students as learners, achieve a balance between student-centeredness and subject-content orientation, influence student learning motivation, manage classroom…

Discusses the important uses of Socratic seminars, exploratory intellectual conversations centered on a text and facilitated by the instructor, in critical thinking instruction. Indicates that Socratic seminars differ from discussions in that, whereas discussions feature debates leading to convergent thought patterns, seminars are based upon…

Provides a picture of community college partnerships and collaborative activities by viewing the contemporary context of collaboration and alliance-building. Summarizes information from 14 presidents of community colleges recognized for their partnership activities with respect to the dimensions of collaboration, definitions of community,…

Discusses rapid changes in technology, curriculum needs, and multiculturalism and the issues they present for community colleges in the immediate future. Examines these issues in the context of works by Joel Orr, a technology consultant; Arthur Levine, president Columbia University's Teachers College; and Ronald Takaki, a University of California,…

Discusses the importance of the first annual meeting of the American Association of Junior Colleges (AAJC) in 1920 to the junior college movement. Indicates that, besides marking the beginning of the AAJC, the conference was a noted break from the narrowly academic view of the junior college prevalent in higher education. (MAB)

Discusses issues for community college administrators related to Total Quality Management (TQM), transformational quality, and college leadership. Highlight's the author's application of TQM and college leadership literature. Describes initiatives developed at Illinois' Parkland College to provide better service to Parkland's community. (MAB)

Discusses the functions of the National Skill Standards Board, proposed under of the National Skill Standards Act and the Goals 2000: Educate America Act. Indicates that a study by the Institute of Educational Leadership found approximately 700 committees that used industry volunteers to help states develop skill standards and which could provide…