Assembly Bill 705 (AB 705) sought to increase successful completion of transfer-level math and English courses by addressing systemic problems in traditional placement policies and curricular structures. The law requires colleges to maximize the probability that students who enroll in credit English as a second language (ESL) courses complete…

These technical appendices are for the report, "English as a Second Language at California's Community Colleges: An Early Examination of AB 705 Reforms." Assembly Bill 705 (AB 705 Irwin) sought to increase successful completion of transfer-level math and English courses by addressing systemic problems in traditional placement policies…

How do we determine if incoming students are ready for college-level work? California's community college system is currently working to address this complex question in a more nuanced, comprehensive, and equitable way. This research brief offers insights that can inform these efforts resulting from the Student Transcript-Enhanced Placement Study…

This report shares findings from a three-year longitudinal study of three Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)--one of the newest minority serving institution (MSI) designations--and provides evidence for the impact of federally-funded campus programs on persistence, degree attainment, and transfer…

A college credential is essential for individuals seeking to earn family-supporting wages. However, over 90 million Americans face considerable barriers in obtaining the basic academic skills necessary to enroll in college-level courses. Research, combined with the challenges experienced daily by those in the workforce development field, has led…

Many adult students struggle to finance their educations, often contending with work and child care expenses in addition to the extra cost of remedial courses. Moreover, there is little need-based grant aid to help. This report presents early findings from an evaluation of a program in New York City targeted to low-income adults (ages 22 to 35)…

MDRC launched Opening Doors in 2003 to study the effects of community college programs designed to help students persist in school and earn a credential. This report presents early results from the Opening Doors program at Owens Community College in Toledo, Ohio, which operated from 2004 through 2006. The two-semester program served students whose…

Focuses on the functions of the campus grants office, which include developing an information system, building a campus fundability profile, maintaining a close interests, serving as liaison with community and granting agencies, and establishing a campus proposal review process. (AYC)

The first step in making a community college foundation successful is to evaluate the institution, its programs, the commitment of its personnel, and the difference it makes in the community. If the college is found to be a viable, integral part of the community, worthy of its support, then the groundwork for seeking that support can be laid. The…

A study was conducted to determine whether participation in a test-taking strategy seminar significantly decreased test anxiety in first-year nursing students. The study also sought to compare nursing test scores of first-year nursing students who participated in the seminar with those who did not. The sample consisted of 30 first-year nursing…

Alternatives for revitalizing the programs and management of student services in community colleges are reviewed in this paper. First, alternatives related to student services programs are considered, including: (1) the increased use of computer-assisted counseling to integrate student services more fully with mainstream academic activities; (2)…

Criticisms have been raised about large scale community college involvement in developmental education. A number of these criticisms seem valid, while others clearly are not. Some of the most commonly voiced concerns include the following: (1) "The community college is the wrong place to provide developmental education"; (2)…

Adapting the principles outlined in "In Search of Excellence: Lessons from America's Best Run Companies" (Thomas J. Peters and Robert H. Waterman, Jr.) to the operations of continuing education departments, this paper discusses eight rules for success and provides examples of their application. Rule One, "Bias for Action," emphasizes the…

Describes a process whereby a community college continuing education division can be effectively promoted within the college. Considers the following elements of program advocacy: goal setting; evaluation of the continuing education division and its internal and external environments; and devising, implementing, and evaluating advocacy strategies.…

Throughout the history of the student affairs profession, a deep abiding concern for students and their development has been the guiding principle. The two-year college, with its rich tradition of commitment to teaching and expanding educational opportunities, has been a fertile ground for the student affairs profession. In recent years, despite…