This study examined community and institutional factors that influence offering online workforce development programs in community colleges. The study included a random sample of 321 community college in the United States. Findings conclude that colleges operating under statewide governance structures and in states with more highly centralized…

This study explored whether community college websites are a useful medium for providing knowledge relevant to degree completion. Ten community students used one of three community college websites to answer 10 questions about occupational degree programs. A facilitator asked participants to think aloud while using the website to answer these…

Career and technical education (CTE) students pursuing occupational associate's degrees or certificates differ from students seeking academic majors at 2-year institutions in several ways. This article examines several theoretical models of student persistence and offers a conceptual model of student success focused on CTE students in community…

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 history, purposes, and distinctive features of the foundation degree, a short-cycle higher education qualification introduced in England in 2000-2001 and offered by both universities and further education colleges. The key characteristics of the foundation degree are discussed: employer involvement in curriculum development…

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…

Discusses how the State University of New York and the U.S. Department of Education (Vocational and Technical Educational Act programs) rely on a first-time, full-time cohort of entering students to measure the performance of community colleges. Reports that the use of this cohort misses roughly two-thirds of the students enrolled in degree…

Reports the results of a national study assessing the impact of community colleges on school-to-work transition and the effects of race, gender, and socioeconomic status on student outcomes. Concludes that several variables, including transfer rate and the availability of career counseling, were related to the effect of gender and class background…

Defines New Vocationalism as the concept of integrating occupational and academic courses in order to enrich both liberal arts and vocational programs. Describes a number of case studies and pilot projects under way at community colleges and discusses the obstacles to implementation and proven strategies to overcome them. (AUTH/NB)

Examines three community colleges from the United States and four from Canada, using a qualitative multiple-case-study design to define changes in the colleges' institutional missions during the 1990s. Suggests that a new globally oriented vocationalism dominated the community college mission at the end of the twentieth century. (Contains 51…

Describes a qualitative study examining the educational experiences of eight women mandated into college by the Job Opportunity and Basic Skills Program, a welfare-to-work initiative. Indicates that social service representatives fostered feelings of oppression in the women, whereas college personnel provided encouragement and positive guidance.…

Reviews the results of studies from several states that examine the salaries of vocational students who graduate from community colleges. Indicates that all reporting ethnic groups experience significant positive gains in earnings within three years of graduating. Contains five data tables and 28 references. (JDI)

Describes a study that used a wage-record database to determine, after five years, the educational and employment outcomes of 1988 vocational education graduates and program completers of Washington State community colleges. Analyzes results related to student ethnicity, salaries, and gender and discusses implications for colleges and legislators.…

Reviews the types and structures of occupational programs which respond to the needs of the part-time student, and suggests how these needs can best be met by community colleges. (Author/JDS)

Community colleges must become more aware and readily responsive to shifts in peoples' career needs and in the manpower needs of the economy. The services available at other institutions should be taken into account in determining the appropriate breadth and variety of community college occupational programs. (Author/JDS)