Discusses a study of 33 graduates from Marquette High School (Illinois) who participated in a dual-credit program with Illinois Valley Community College. Reports that students welcomed the opportunity to get a head start in college, and that it improved their perceptions of the college they attended. (NB)

Stresses the need for faculty and administrators to cooperate in assessing student learning. Addresses barriers to teacher involvement and presents models that nurture faculty in the assessment process. Recommends that administrators create a culture that is conducive to assessment and adopt a variety of leadership characteristics using the…

Describes a study conducted to determine the differences among students enrolling during three phases of registration (early, regular, and late). Finds that: (1) new and returning students who enroll late are more likely to withdraw from a class than those who register early or at the regular time; and (2) returning students differed in their GPAs…

Reports that since the passage of the Welfare Reform Act in 1996, community colleges have invested time and money to create programs that ensure the successful transition of welfare recipients to self-sufficient workers. Cites recent resources on the efforts of educators to improve the status of welfare recipients, particularly in the two-year…

Argues that there is a crisis in Latino leadership at community colleges. States that, based on studies, only 3-4% of CEOs at community colleges are Latino, and only 4% of all doctorates are earned by Latinos. Suggests that higher education institutions seek out and fund aspiring Latino community college leaders. (Contains 25 references.) (NB)

Analyzes two limitations associated with cooperative learning: how to evaluate the teamwork skills that students demonstrate during group work, and how to provide tasks that enable students to practice these teamwork skills. Discusses a new model of learning and instruction called Collaboration-Integration Theory (CIT), which ensures that students…

Lists and defines more than 20 variables that institutional researchers may choose when researching retention at community colleges, based on Tinto's and Bean's models of retention. States that independent variables can be used to develop and implement retention studies at researchers' own institutions. (Contains 23 references.) (AUTH/NB)

Argues that a central problem in higher education may be the "commoditization" of learning, or the idea of student as customer. Contends that learning-centered colleges must address the issue of passion for learning as they develop strategic plans for improving outcomes of education. (NB)

Reviews the literature on community colleges and private universities, applying principles of strategic management to these environments. States that private universities have the flexibility to offer a specialized program of study at a premium price, while community colleges are better able to offer low-cost services to a large group of students.…

States that community colleges must pay attention to the multiethnic environments in which they exist. Presents an annotated bibliography that offers perspectives on diversity in education and research, which may help practitioners and researchers to understand how to conduct qualitative research sensitive to the cultures of their subjects.…

Explores current and classical ethical issues faced by community college faculty members in their roles as teachers. Discusses the current literature, formal guidelines, and gaps in research. Suggests five topics for future studies, such as how faculty members address conflicts between professional codes of ethics and institutional policies.…

Examines whether community college students of differing ethnic backgrounds and enrollment status differed in their perceptions of knowledge gains as a function of their college experience. Reports that full-time students had significantly higher perceptions of gains than did part-time students, and that African-American students perceived higher…

Compares grade point average (GPA) and graduation rates of transfer students and native students at a large university. Reports that: (1) transfer students suffer from transfer shock, but that they recover and graduate at rates comparable with native students; and (2) there was not a significant difference in the cumulative GPAs of the transfers…

Discusses a study that investigated the ability of national economic trends to predict enrollment in community colleges. Reports that unemployment rate, gross domestic product, dollars disposable income, and personal consumption expenditures are good indicators of trends in community college enrollment, but that consumer price index and average…

Examines what is known about transfer rates by geographic location and ethnic group, and what remains to be studied. Argues that differences between rural, urban, and suburban students must be further researched. (Contains 50 references.) (NB)