Argues that community colleges should require students to own laptop computers, and that costs should be calculated into the need for financial aid so that no one will be deterred from owning laptops. States that requiring students to own laptops dramatically reduces technology costs for colleges. (NB)

Reports that all 58 of North Carolina's community colleges have collaborated to form the Virtual Learning Community. States that thousands of students are now enrolled in more than 60 distance learning courses, while another 50 courses are being planned. Describes planning and development of program, as well as challenges. (NB)

Lists 13 different Internet search engines that might be of interest to educators, including: AOL Search, Alta Vista, Google, Lycos, Northern Light, and Yahoo. Gives a brief description of each search engine's capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses and includes Web addresses of U.S. government offices, including the U.S. Department of Education.…

Reports that the Metropolitan Community Colleges (MCC) (Missouri) upgraded their information systems in four years, for less than $7 million. Offers advice based on lessons learned in the MCC process, including: (1) identify implementation leadership among veteran staff; (2) train everyone who will use the system; and (3) test and test again. (NB)

Reports that Virginia's community colleges have joined the partnership to establish a statewide Internet2 (I2) next-generation network. I2 will provide enough bandwidth capacity to allow robust distance education initiatives and a converged network--which implies that voice, data, and video traffic is carried over one physical structure--and to…

Reports on the redesign of Pima Community College's (PCC) West Campus library/student center. States that the college made the redesign a participatory process, developing a master plan through a series of intensive multiple-day workshops that included faculty members, staff, students, and community members. Concludes that consistent participation…

States that the 1998 mandate set forth by the Head Start Reauthorization Act requires that 50% of Head Start staff in the country must have an associate's, bachelor's, or advanced degree in early childhood education by 2003. Adds that this mandate inspired ACCESS, the American Associate Degree Childhood Educators, to partner with other…

Reports on Southern Illinois University's (SIU) idea to consolidate its A.A.S. Electronics Technology degree with its two-year capstone B.A. degree in Electronics Management (ELM). Explains that this four-year ELM curriculum is designed to accommodate the transfer of two-year students who have already completed two years of course work. Offers…

Contends that America's community colleges have emerged as the leaders in educational opportunity and in responding creatively to workforce needs in their communities. Adds that they have been described as the "workhorses" of higher education, engines of economic prosperity, and centers of scholarship--roles that should not go unrecognized or…

Analyzes the shift in the balance of power between proponents of general education and proponents of workforce development in community colleges. Stresses the importance of the intellectual climate in community colleges, suggesting that both factions recommit themselves to being members of a coalition. (NB)

Argues that community colleges give less attention to noncredit courses and programs, those that are designed to assist in some sort of job training or those that simply enrich a student's knowledge. Sees this credit-based value system as highlighting the discrepancy between what community colleges offer and what students, especially older ones,…

Analyzes the trend toward ranking colleges, and what it means to community colleges. States that the National Center for Public Policy published "Measuring Up 2000" as its first state-by-state report card on higher education, including community colleges. Reports that the study ranks the states according to six key elements: preparation,…

Describes a study conducted to ascertain the perceptions of various stakeholder groups on selected measures of institutional quality. States that questionnaires were distributed to 1,962 students, faculty, and staff at a two-year college; response rate was 49% (n=955). Concludes that outcome indicators (such as pass rates on licensure…

Describes Iowa Central Community College's approach to enrollment management, citing seven keys to its success: (1) the president's personal leadership; (2) a college-wide commitment to excellence; (3) strong administrative support; (4) high expectations for personnel; (5) well-defined enrollment management strategies; (6) participation by…

Analyzes the traditional community college approaches to remedial education. Suggests that a more learner-centered remediation--which is based on an understanding of students' needs--in discipline courses offers students the opportunity to apply the skills they learn in ways that are meaningful, thus decreasing the dropout rate of remedial…