This paper reviews systematic research findings on the effectiveness of various interventions designed to help at-risk students remain in college. It shows how changes in federal policy and public attitudes since the mid-1960s have opened up higher education to women, minorities, and nontraditional students and also shifted the "center of gravity"…

At Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn, freshmen were placed in groups of up to 25 who took three classes together during their first semester: an English class, usually at the developmental level; an academic course, such as health or psychology; and a one-credit orientation course. The program also provided enhanced counseling and…

Recent concern about academic quality and costs has resulted in growing criticism of the transfer function of the community college. This criticism has arisen, in part, from the evaluations of university-based researchers who have argued that a very small percentage of community college students succeed in transferring to four-year institutions…

In response to the rising costs of health care and large increases in insurance premiums, a study was conducted at Lakeshore Technical Institute (LTI) to investigate the feasibility of using a self-funded health insurance plan at the college. Data were obtained through a literature review; telephone and on-site discussions with a personnel…

Nassau Community College (NCC) is currently working with a program evaluation model in which faculty from one department serve as peer evaluation consultants to direct the self-evaluations of other departments. The four functional objectives initially motivating the development of NCC's plan directed that: real decisions about academic programs…

As the Illinois public community college system approaches its 20th anniversary and in the face of a changing economy and shifting public priorities, the establishment of a systematic, collegewide program review and evaluation process that can improve the colleges' overall effectiveness and efficiency in relation to student, community, and state…

Identifies ingredients necessary for successfully developing programs which use innovative modes to achieve progressive institutional goals. Outlines the process of program development (i.e., identify target group; conduct needs assessment; develop knowledge base; examine limitations; review existing delivery systems; and design, field-test, and…

Provides guidelines for organizing staff development programs, covering assessment, statement of philosophy, organization and staffing, various activities to meet the needs of constituencies represented within the institution, incentives and rewards, adequate funding, and an overall program evaluation. Stresses staff development as a means to…

The educational decisions that are made today must consider the current situation of declining enrollment, but also take into account the resurgence in higher education that is certain to follow within the next decade. Community college administrators must take on the role of leaders (i.e., those who infuse an organization with values) rather than…

The Teaching Resources Center (TRC) at American River College in California was developed to improve instruction and offer a variety of activities and services to faculty. Colleges interested in establishing a similar program should recognize that the development of a TRC requires planning, implementation, and evaluation. The planning phase begins…

The Bilingual Vocational Instructor Training (BVIT) project at California State University at Long Beach was established to teach instructors to communicate with limited English speakers in specialized skill areas. An evaluation of the program was conducted after its third year of operation to assess the placement of graduates and the…

This three-part report provides a literature review on the evaluation of community college staff development programs, reports on a study conducted to identify and validate evaluation criteria, and suggests a process for the use of these criteria in program evaluation. Part I reviews literature focusing on staff and program development,…

A model for program evaluation at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College is presented in this report as a guide for faculty and administrators in developing a campuswide evaluation program. First, introductory material provides an overview of the history of the college, the effects of recent cutbacks, and the goals and mission of the college. Next, a…

Discusses the importance of occupational program reassessment in resource allocation and program planning. Provides suggestions concerning reassessment planning, goals, and systematic implementation. Recommends a reassessment structure that promotes objectivity. Identifies the areas that should be evaluated, and provides examples of measures of…

Second in an annual series, this volume presents brief descriptions of a number of outstanding community college instructional programs identified by the National Council of Instructional Administrators (NCIA). Each description includes the address and telephone number of the college in which the program operates, and the names of the college…