Synthesizes the literature on community college student retention programs to develop a definition and typology of dropout prevention programs. Classifies programs and strategies based on whether they attempt to sort, support, connect, or transform students. (61 references.) (MAB)

Describes a study conducted at a multicampus community college district in northern California to determine whether general education (GE) was structured and implemented for the primary purpose of generating large amounts of revenue and whether a disproportionately higher rate of return is generated from GE compared with non-GE curricula. (27…

Describes a nationwide study of the percentage of minority faculty employed full-time at community colleges and strategies used to recruit them. Suggests that successful strategies include placing minorities on the board of trustees, recruiting from industry, and hiring minority faculty as chief academic administrators and ethnic studies…

Describes the role of college presidents in the invigoration and renewal of trustees, administrators, faculty, adjunct faculty, paraprofessionals, secretaries, custodians, and maintenance personnel, as well as the external public served by the college. Suggests that comprehensive staff development programs are essential to institutional…

Describes a study investigating the learning styles and personality types of community college and private university students. Identifies three broad types of learners (cooperative, independent, and competitive), suggesting significant correlations between experimenting personality types and learning style preferences. Discusses the role of…

Describes a study conducted to investigate the impact of faculty collaboration upon the transfer shock commonly experienced by students transferring from two- to four-year colleges. Suggests that faculty collaboration reduced transfer shock to a nonsignificant level, with grade point average increases experienced by half of the subjects. (19…

Assesses the impact of tuition increases and the amount of student aid awards on the academic persistence of traditional college students. Suggests that these students are sensitive to tuition changes and that available grants are unable to mitigate the negative impact of tuition increases on persistence. (22 citations). (MAB)

Suggests that community colleges have always offered programs designed to encourage the enrollment of high ability students, including formal honors programs, honors courses or societies, tuition incentives, and opportunities for independent study. Cites ERIC documents and journal articles reflecting the current literature on honors programs…

Describes a national study of community college funding conditions at the state level, which ascertained whether individual institutions had implemented or were considering enrollment limitations resulting from budget shortfalls. Although a majority of states reported declining state support and increasing enrollments, few college leaders reported…

Reviews the literature on outcomes assessment at community colleges, identifying which outcomes are assessed (i.e., educational content, student development, and resource management) and how they are assessed. Focuses particularly on concerns of minority student populations. Finds major differences between minority and majority students'…

Describes the Georgia Instructor Academy, established to enhance the quality of Georgia's postsecondary technical teachers through technical training and professional development. Discusses the development of program standards and curriculum guides by Georgia's Board of Technical and Adult Education, the Technical Education: Guaranteed program,…

Describes a study documenting the planning and implementation processes of 17 Tech Prep consortia in a Midwest state. Discusses the processes used by local consortia in initiating Tech Prep, the roles and responsibilities of Tech Prep leaders, and their perceptions about specific strategies that contributed to the establishment of successful…

Provides a brief history of articulation, along with a description of the relationship between technical preparation/associate degree (TPAD) programs and articulation. Includes definitions of key terms (e.g., advanced placement, advanced skills, and 2+2). Lists the benefits of TPAD programs and recommends steps to realize benefits. (MAB)

Describes a study conducted at Del Mar College (Texas) to provide the college with baseline data on its nonreturnees and to test the feasibility of gathering interview information over the phone. Defines relevant terms, outlines the data-gathering process, and presents study findings and recommendations regarding data collection and the focus of…

Describes a study of employment practices concerning part-time faculty at 283 midwestern community colleges. Presents findings related to support services, evaluation of part-time faculty effectiveness, recognition of part-time faculty, and plans to increase support in the future. Reports a number of practices being used to assist part-time…