This study explored white students' levels of racial/ethnic identity development and whether pre-college characteristics and patterns of participation in curricular and co-curricular activities influenced identity development. Students in the study attended a predominantly Hispanic two-year institution in southern California (referred to as…

The study reported in this paper examined the influence of certain factors on the perception of organizational change in 12 community colleges within a single state community college system. The sample consisted of 510 professional staff who completed an original 71-item survey instrument. Results suggest that the primary areas where change is…

Orientation and retention programs are common in institutions of higher education. The potential association between orientation programs and student retention, particularly within the community college sector, has long been neglected. This study presents an institutional view of a potential associative relationship between an orientation course…

A qualitative case study in 15 community colleges across the country found that learning assistance centers and specialized skills labs are an important means of increasing students' academic preparedness for postsecondary study. Since these facilities provide instruction or support in reading, writing, and math skills, it appears that they play a…

Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to enroll in community college courses while still attending high school. These programs are appealing to students since they can earn high school and college credits simultaneously and become accustomed to college-level coursework. The structure of dual enrollment programs varies by state and…

Beginning community college faculties have many responsibilities associated with teaching. Technology can alter and enhance some of the traditional expectations for teaching and learning. New professionals will benefit by becoming familiar with existing and new technology and by recognizing the college mechanisms and support systems available to…

The imminent teacher shortage in the United States has caused educators, policy makers, parents and concerned citizens to focus on teacher preparation not only at the university level, but also at the community college level. As a result, many community colleges are developing teacher education programs and focusing on real life classroom…

High rates of faculty turnover can be costly to the reputation of an institution and to the quality of instruction. Community colleges may expect high rates of faculty turnover as an aging workforce retires. Other sources of attrition, however, can be attributed to organizational characteristics and the structural properties of faculty work. This…

Tech Prep is a federal education initiative funded by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act initially authorized in 1990 then reauthorized in 1998. Texas HB 2401 subsequently established the parameters for the operation of Tech Prep in Texas. Texas has 26 regional consortia that coordinate the delivery of services between…

The goal of developmental, or remedial education is to help students prepare for college level courses. Students need remediation for a variety of social, economic, and psychological reasons. Many students requiring remediation turn to community colleges because community colleges have an open door policy regardless of a student's level of…

The role of a department chair is difficult and complex because it requires one to be an instructor, an administrator, a leader, a manager, and a mediator simultaneously. With the present budget constraints, effective internal leadership at the department level has become indispensable for community colleges. Despite the fact that department…

Faced with the challenge of responding to shifting tides in the American labor market through the development of innovative and relevant educational programs that directly facilitate regional economic growth, numerous community colleges have identified the implementation of small business development and entrepreneurship education initiatives as…

This paper offers the reflections of three past presidents of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) during the year of the American community college's 100th anniversary. President emeritus Edmund J. Gleazer, Jr., describes some of the changes that altered the AACC during the years 1951-1981. In 1951, when Gleazer was hired as…

Pays tribute to the one hundred-year anniversary of the American community college. Presents the reflections of three former American Association of Community College presidents--Edmund Gleazer, Jr., Dale Parnell, and David Pierce--on history, leadership, and changes at the organization. (CJW)

Describes the Career Transcript System (CTS), which keeps up-to-date and verifiable records of students' accomplishments. Asserts that CTS facilitates information exchange among schools, employers, and colleagues. States that the system was implemented after the Secretary of Labors' Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) defined what…