The federal government and private foundations for education have established postsecondary credential completion as a national imperative. Washington State's Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) model was developed to increase the rate at which basic skills students advance to and succeed in college-level occupational programs,…

Reviews past and current transfer articulation efforts between two- and four-year colleges. Traces the evolution of articulation efforts; identifies problems (e.g., the lack of program integration and transferability of credits); and suggests key ingredients to successful program articulation. Underscores the importance of the associate degree in…

Explores trends in the state role in community college funding and college responses to those trends, underscoring the need for an improved funding formula model. Identifies specific goals and components of such a model, covering areas including governance, budgeting standards, tuition pricing, community education, and state and institutional…

Applies economic theory to questions concerning the public financing of two-year colleges. Highlights two analytical constructs used in recommending educational policy: the principle of externalities and the theory of human capital. Considers the effect of academic/vocational program mix on educational financing and issues of equity and access.…

Enumerates changing external conditions and internal organizational problems in community colleges resulting in a paradox involving institutional mission and structure. Lists steps for positioning community colleges as the key provider of specified programs/services through carefully defined linkages with public- and private-sector organizations…