Designed to help those who plan and allocate resources for California's community colleges in evaluating future trends and identifying responsible policy directions, this report seeks to: (1) describe present and future trends and their variations within California; (2) determine the applications of those trends for community colleges; (3) identify alternative planning directions for community colleges; and (4) determine those directions that most fully maximize the community college's future contributions. Each chapter of the report states a premise, examines data and trends supporting that premise, and considers implications for community colleges. Chapter 1 focuses on anticipated changes in the demographics and lifestyle of Californians. Chapter 2 concentrates on issues related to societal complexity and changing social values, changing skill requirements and skills obsolescence, and demands for increased productivity. After chapter 3 considers the variations among California communities, chapter 4 looks at the effects of the information and technology revolution on education and learners. Chapter 5 examines the question of educational quality in the context of change, and chapter 6 addresses institutional renewal as an essential response to rapid change. Finally, chapter 7 tries to project the future course of the state's economy and to examine its impact on the funding of community colleges. A four-page list of source documents that provide the basis for trends cited in "Contours of Change" concludes the document. (EJV)