This collection of essays focuses on the importance of accurate and timely information for effective decision making. First, Ivan Lach considers the proliferation of statewide planning and policy formation and discusses problems with and ways to improve statewide research. Next, Cheryl Opacinch focuses on decision making for federal postsecondary…

Approaches to creative, modified, and new management strategies and practices are offered as justifications for the continued development of effective and responsive community colleges. Judith S. Eaton describes the dangers in isolating academic concerns from management decision processes. Dorothy M. Burns advocates centralization of human…

Offers examples of research efforts undertaken at Miami-Dade Community College to analyze the college preparatory program, considering early research using placement test scores, research using college-preparatory course enrollment data, and most recent research using a longitudinal database. Argues that the research process must proceed with…

Explains how the San Francisco Community College District uses data gathered via a student information questionnaire (SIQ) in making management decisions regarding transportation and parking facilities, location of facilities, student services, and program planning and evaluation. Describes SIQ methodology. (DMM)

Describes how formative data on enrollment patterns and class offerings are collected and used at Oklahoma City Community College in marketing and scheduling. Evaluates the research effort in terms of its value in long-range strategic planning and managed decision making in day-to-day activities. (DMM)

Presents a model of community college decision making based on institutional research illustrated using a case study of Pueblo Community College (Colorado). Describes three stages of an action plan including curriculum renewal, development of assessment and remediation services, and image improvement. Reviews results of research-based activities…

Describes the context for current intense interest in educational effectiveness, presents basic steps in assessing institutional effectiveness (i.e., developing meaningful statements of institutional mission and goals, designing and implementing an institutional planning process, and identifying indicators of effectiveness), and discusses the…

Identifies components of a comprehensive assessment of an educational institution's external environment; i.e., demographic trends, social indicators, economic trends, political change, technological advances, changes in the workplace, advances in information technologies, and value shifts. (DMM)

Argues that community college vitality is directly proportional to the integration of the comfort and confidence levels of personnel involved in public relations, institutional research, and college leadership. Considers Miami-Dade Community College's use of data on student demographics, achievement test results, student satisfaction, and…

Offers a historical overview of the changing emphases of institutional research in community colleges during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Identifies key areas for institutional research (e.g., access and quality, employer needs, technological advances, and changing conditions in the external environment). Advocates proactive planning through…

Argues that community colleges must be able to incorporate information about themselves and their clientele into delivery systems, operational strategies, and strategic planning. Underscores the importance of program evaluation in institutional planning and of needs assessments as a vital communications process between service area and college.…

Considers leadership development and research as two ways of improving institutional decision making. Proposes an agenda for future development to strengthen the financial management of the nation's community, technical, and junior colleges. (AYC)

Presents three case studies showing how impact studies can be conducted in a constantly changing community environment. Describes the impact of a community college as direct or indirect, depending upon relationships between resources and outcomes. Recommends planned, coordinated assessment programs as tools for decision makers. (DMM)

Advocates the development of cooperative community college/university marketing endeavors to capitalize on institutional differences and to best serve nontraditional students. Addresses the possible benefits: the utilization of university staff and graduate student expertise, especially in research; improved teacher education and faculty…

States that the shift in community college fiscal support and policy making from the local to the state level has resulted in an increased need for statewide data collection. Explores the problems with state-level community college research, provides examples of successful programs, and explains key features of successful statewide research. (DD)