Objective: Traditional-age students attending a rural community college in Kentucky's Appalachian region were interviewed, along with faculty members and administrators, to identify phenomena serving as sources of encouragement or as barriers to retention from the point of entry to the point of transfer. Method: Students' perspectives were…

Objective: Some have hypothesized that community college programs are not sufficiently structured to support student success and that students would benefit from more highly structured programs. This study examines the specific ways that structure is expressed in policy and practice at representative community colleges. Method: Using data obtained…

Objective: This study probes the reasons for high attrition rates and sense of community among students enrolled at a technical institution serving low-income students in Bogotá, Colombia. Although sense of community on campus is the strongest predictor of a student's thriving, scholars in higher education have studied mainly minority students'…

Objective: Ideally, community colleges both democratize opportunity and develop in students the civic skills necessary to meaningfully participate in a democratic society. This national pilot study examines the individual and institutional factors associated with greater civic agency, capacity, behavior, and knowledge among students after at least…

Describes the Personalized Learning Program at Texas Tech University, which explores self concept theory and the relationship of teaching and learning styles to personality preferences, through a program of research and seminars. (AYC)

Recognizes that while most students want to succeed academically, they do not, simply because they are unaware of basic study techniques. Suggests that teachers spend some classroom time discussing basic techniques in the form of their expectations of academic behavior. (TP)

The granting of credit for remedial courses does not represent a lessening of the value of a degree. Rather, it is a manifestation of social and educational progress. (Author/DC)

Because community college students have such diverse backgrounds, their English teachers must recognize, understand, and accept various dialects and simultaneously teach social values as they help students learn standard English. (Author/DC)

Reviews the literature on student attrition and suggests ways to increase enrollment and re-enrollment at community colleges without establishing labor-intensive programs and services. Focuses on the creation of the necessary environment for retention; the importance of campus-based research; and ways of predicting and preventing unnecessary…

Reviews literature and statistics on the increasing incidence of underprepared students entering postsecondary education, highlighting the community colleges' role in responding to students' needs. Puts forth reasons for providing remedial education related to the magnitude of the problem, access for educationally disadvantaged, adult students,…

Presents results of a four-year longitudinal study of a group of two-year college students who selected at least one telecourse during their first term. Examines student characteristics, retention, academic progress, graduation rates, and continued enrollment in telecourses to determine the effectiveness and impact of the delivery system. (DMM)

Argues that student employees need improved on-the-job training and more staff development opportunities. Describes the structured student employee training program at St. Louis Community College (SLCC) at Meramec, Missouri. Underscores the importance of employer support for the program and reviews results of the SLCC project. (DMM)

Describes a study of the decision-making processes of nontraditional students at a public, suburban community college regarding the critical life incidents which preceded the decision to return to college, information used in searching for a college, and factors influencing college choice, as well as information about students impressions and…

Examines the recent reemergence of honors programs in community colleges. Highlights the advantages of such programs, offers caveats concerning their establishment, and considers various structural models and special programmatic features. (DMM)

Describes a study of the attitudes and beliefs of male and female business students in a community college, focusing on gender-based differences in perceptions of education, self-concepts, and orientation toward several goals. Found no attitudinal or motivational differences between male and female students. (DMM)