A study was sponsored by the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to: (1) document and analyze the information needs of various groups (e.g., the legislature, state agencies, and community colleges) with respect to the state's community colleges and to prepare a matrix of information needs and uses; (2) inventory the information currently available in the Chancellor's Office and evaluate its usefulness in meeting these information needs; (3) assist the Chancellor's Office's Users and Technical Design Committees in identifying and defining data elements required to meet these needs; and (4) recommend changes in the existing information system and consider requirements for new or additional information. Data sources for the study included documents available within the Chancellor's Office and interviews conducted with community college unit administrators and representatives of appropriate external entities. The study revealed problems related to poor data quality due to lack of conscientious reporting, and to ambiguity or inconsistency in data element definitions; the inability to do longitudinal studies; failure to meet data needs due to an inability to link data sets; lack of data use; lack of outcome measures; high costs of data collection; and lack of confidence in a coordinated information system. Based on study findings, recommendations were developed concerning management and review mechanisms, modifications of the existing data system, and the improved use of information. (EJV)