Discusses the Rising Star Scholarship program of the Dallas County (Texas) Community College District (DCCCD), an approach to financial aid that states that every high school graduate should have the opportunity to attend college regardless of financial means. Describes the program as a unique way of fundraising within the business community. (ND)

Describes a study that surveyed faculty and staff in 300 two-year colleges to identify the elements of planning, implementation, funding, and evaluation for development of both full-time and part-time faculty. Reports that statistically significant differences were found among colleges of different sizes and among accreditation regions. (Contains…

Describes the U.S. Department of Education's Strategic Plan for 2002-2007, outlining its five objectives: (1) improving access and academic outcomes; (2) strengthening accountability; (3) finding effective funding sources; (4) strengthening minority serving institutions; and (5) enhancing the literacy and employment skills of adults. Presents…

Examines current educational trends in the community colleges, based on critical issues addressed at the 2002 Community College Futures Assembly (CCFA) in Orlando, Florida. Describes the CCFA as an independent policy forum, sponsored by the University of Florida, that convenes annually. Discusses the top three critical issues presented: the needs…

Discusses the Roundtable on Higher Education, which brought together stakeholders of the North Dakota University System (NDUS) to establish a common vision, a clear set of expectations, and the results for which the system would be held accountable. Reports that the Roundtable reached a level of accomplishment beyond any expectations, and that the…

Describes the successful implementation of a Women in Technology (WIT) Project-Based Learning Program in High Tech Manufacturing by the Tech Prep Consortium at Bristol Community College (Massachusetts). Reports that the program's success was mainly due to the establishment of partnerships with industry, government, and education, including area…

Describes the Liberal Studies/Professional Skills (LS/PS) faculty development program at Inver Hills Community College (Minnesota). Reports that the program began with the intent to develop an assessment process that would provide immediate benefits to students and faculty. Explains that it goes beyond transcripts to verify student competencies…

Offers resources indexed in ERIC that can help community college administrators, librarians, and faculty navigate the legal landscapes of distance education, copyright, and other intellectual issues in a digital environment. Contains annotated abstracts of 11 publications. Includes web addresses for two sites with copyright information. (AUTH/NB)

Describes a study of 180 full-time college employees that examined how various job groups in the community college used different kinds of conflict communication behaviors, and if those behaviors were related to institutional climate. Finds that years of experience and satisfaction with leadership were associated with job satisfaction and the use…

Examines the transformation of community colleges from local institutions to institutions participating in the global community. Describes a multi-case study of seven community colleges in United States and Canada, focusing on the dominant ideology associated with globalization, the involvement of people in other cultures, and the…

Reports on a study of 573 two-year colleges, which analyzed significant indicators of program completion for students of color. Finds that percentages of faculty and administrators of color and the amount of contact student affairs officers have with students of color were the strongest predictors of completion. (Contains 54 references.) (NB)

Identifies four climate conditions that influenced a rural community college's ability to respond to and recognize information relating to changes in learner needs: (1) organizational structure; (2) empowerment; (3) interdependence/communication; and (4) shared vision. Asserts that these four variables help college leaders initiate organizational…

Asserts that, because the needs and learning strategies of nontraditional students differ from those of younger students, more effective teaching practices must be implemented. Reports that students over 25 make up more than half of college attendees. Presents citations of recent ERIC literature designed to promote teaching practices for adult…

Discusses the seriousness of the digital divide-the discrepancy between technology-literate and -illiterate people-in rural areas in the United States. Reports that rural young, minority, and single-parent households lag behind the national average in both personal computer ownership and Internet access. Offers suggestions for ways rural community…

Examines the perceptions of instructors and administrators regarding self-directed learning modules for adult and younger students, comparing the modules' perceived effectiveness, benefits, and challenges. Addresses the issue of personal freedom versus the need for focus and guidance, finding that adult learners reported no freedom versus focus…