Objective/Research Question: This paper reports on data collected in a multi-year National Science Foundation grant project involving a professional development (PD) model built to support community college faculty as change agents (CAs). The research question was: How do disciplinary communities of practice (CoP) emerge among community college…

Using data from more than 2,000 community college science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors in the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, this research investigates how ethnicity, gender, non-traditional student risk factors, academic preparation, socio-economic status, and English-as-second-language/citizenship status…

Foreign-born faculty members in community colleges can serve as a valuable resource to their institutions' growing internationalization efforts. This study uses the data from the 2004 National Study of Postsecondary Faculty to examine the characteristics, job satisfaction, and workplace perceptions of the foreign-born group of the professoriate at…

Reports on a survey of 177 chief business officers of public community colleges regarding their responsibilities and the importance they assigned to various role functions. Highlights findings concerning the perceived importance of fiscal/financial duties; endowments as a job function; role in shared planning; and personal attention given to…

Reports on a nationwide survey of community college funding sources to determine the level of overall college budgets, the percentages of funds received from various sources for operating and capital expenses, the funding role of college foundations, administrator responsibilities, and fund-raising methods used by two-year colleges. (DMM)

Describes the methods and findings of a survey of current quality assessment practices in two-year colleges. Lists traditional quality measures and five approaches to assessing educational quality. Concludes that though many colleges are involved in formal quality assessment, there is limited agreement on definitions or measures of excellence.…

Describes a study of the institutional adaptations and strategies employed by community colleges in minimizing the problems associated with changes in sources of revenue. Summarizes findings based on a literature review and a survey of college presidents. Recommends strategies for adjusting to funding changes. (AYC)

Presents methods and findings of a study of finances, programs, costs, curriculum, and innovative practices at 160 small rural colleges, including comparative data on a small sample of nonrural and large community colleges. Finds small colleges receiving special consideration from funding sources and program diversity related to enrollment size.…

Reports on a survey of state directors of community college education conducted to identify significant actions taken by state legislatures to guide public policy for community colleges. Provides information on legislation considered or enacted in 1983. (DMM)

Presents the results of a 1980 national survey of graduate training opportunities in community college education. Offers a table listing the 94 universities providing graduate-level instruction about community colleges and the 304 courses they offer. Discusses the value of the study for curriculum and research planning. (DMM)

Reports on a study of the status of remedial education as perceived by state directors of community/junior colleges. Looks at findings related to definitions, mission, funding, coordination/administration, providers, and current status. Offers recommendations in each of these areas. (DMM)

Reviews changes in the characteristics and teaching methods of community college humanities faculty between 1975 and 1983 using Center for the Study of Community Colleges data. Focuses on age, racial/ethnic background, professional activities, career aspirations, assistance available/used, perceptions of needed instructional improvements, and…

Describes a study of the career paths of 155 community college presidents to determine influences on the rate at which the first presidency is attained. Investigates differences in terms of age and education between presidents who began their careers as faculty members and those who began as administrators. (DMM)

State directors of two-year college education were asked to rate the importance and time spent on 67 specific managerial activities and to identify the activities to which they should and would like to allocate more time. Long-range planning and staff development were of greatest interest to respondents, whereas negotiation was of least interest.…

Describes a survey of public two-year colleges with collective bargaining to determine the sources of information used by administrative negotiators to prepare for bargaining, the extent to which computers were being used by bargaining teams, and the existence of statewide organizations of community college negotiators. (DMM)