The Montana Commission of Higher Education put forth this report on the best practices in two-year colleges and operational recommendation in November 2002. The report describes the practices used in the best community colleges as the following: (1) responsiveness of the community college to the ever expanding needs of those they serve; (2) full range of educational services for adults; (3) tailoring learning to the needs of individual students; (4) helping students overcome delays and difficulties in their learning process; (5) helping students overcome delays and difficulties in their learning; (6) collaborating with secondary schools to address special needs; (7) responding to individual learning needs as they emerge; (8) responding to established and emerging workforce development needs in their communities; (9) partnering with regional businesses and agencies; and (10) being the resource of choice in the community. The report makes specific operational recommendations which are as follows: (1) multi-tiered pricing structure; (2) start up funds for colleges of technology; (3) running start program; (4) award of credit for experiential learning; (5) public information initiative; (6) MUS marketing of two-year education; (7) community involvement; and (8) partnership models. Contains numerous tables and graphs that show information on each community college in Montana. (MZ)