This study investigated the dual enrollment outcomes associated with a 2005 policy change intended to expand dual enrollment participation in Virginia. Results indicated that overall access to and participation in dual enrollment courses increased following the policy change. However, data showed this increase was not uniform, and minority groups…

Although much has been written about preparing community college leaders, little is known about how presidents believe they might have better prepared for the role. Using presidential narratives from a national study, this article describes how presidents perceive gaps in prior preparation and offers recommendations to support the professional…

This study examined the nature and degree of organizational change that occurs when community colleges offer their own baccalaureate degree programs. Utilizing qualitative research methodology, we investigated how executive administrators at two Florida colleges managed this momentous change process and how this transformation has affected their…

After an overview of the history of short-cycle education within the Bologna process, this article details the development of short-cycle higher education policy in Flanders, the largest of the three communities in the Federal Kingdom of Belgium. By developing a Flemish national qualification framework in agreement with the European qualification…

This chapter traces the development of short-cycle higher education in Bulgaria. An emphasis is placed on (a) the evolution of nonuniversity short-cycle institutes and (b) the challenges of bridging the gap between secondary and higher education and creating links between vocational and academic learning pathways. The case study of Bulgaria may…

This study examined the new learning that occurred in a professional development program for participants who aspire to the community college presidency. Knowledge construction occurred on three levels: personal, professional, and disciplinary. Reframing, embracing, and embodying activities toward knowledge construction were evident, and new…

This qualitative case study focusing on a collegewide change initiative was conducted to provide community college leaders with a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the role of subcultures in planned change. Research indicates that institutional culture is a primary factor in the success of change programs; however, little research…

In the 1990s, community colleges underwent a shift in their guiding paradigm. The transformation in norms, roles, and values took place in the name of "learning," as the change was driven by the goal of turning 2-year schools into "learning colleges." In this article, it is suggested that the shift ushered in by the learning movement limited the…

Discusses the formation of a consortium of five technical colleges formed to counter the threat of school closure. States that the colleges were effective in averting shut-down, but planned changes failed, perhaps due to lack of belief in a common central mission and vision for the college consortium. (Contains 21 references.) (NB)

Summarizes obstacles to effective teaching for community college faculty and presents strategies for overcoming them. Obstacles include faculty isolation, growing reliance on part-timers, pressure to produce research, underprepared students, and inadequate resources for development. Faculty have responded by developing learning communities,…

Provides an overview of China's higher education sector. Discusses challenges, with a particular emphasis on the role played by junior colleges and vocational institutions that award two- or three-year degrees. Gives recommendations for restructuring higher education in China in light of policies and practices in U. S. community colleges. Contains…

Draws upon organizational theory to analyze the community college environment with a focus on faculty as the technical core of educational organizations. Predicts a change to a more complex and less centralized organizational structure in colleges, and an accompanying transformation in the role of community college faculty from that of…

Reviews the literature on scholarship in community colleges, discusses the notable contributions that community college scholars make through research efforts such as action research, and recommends institutional changes that can foster increased scholarship by community college practitioners. Appended are listings of possible avenues for…

Describes how faculty and administrators at Washtenaw Community College (WCC) strengthened general education requirements by identifying 24 core learning elements and incorporating them into existing classes. Provides advice for other colleges undergoing core curriculum revision. (17 citations) (YKH)

Discusses the problem of providing open access to linguistically diverse students while ensuring quality programming for continued student success. Recommendations include rigorous assessment of student skills and curriculum, improved articulation between high school and college English-as-a-Second-Language courses, and implementation of funding…