Getting a head start on college coursework in high school has become an even more important goal for high school students in recent years, due in part to the rising costs of obtaining traditional four-year college degrees coupled with the disruptions in learning for high school and college students due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now more than ever,…

The Postsecondary Pathways for Former Foster Care Youth (PP-FFCY) study is a research project that focuses on the transitions of foster care alums to and through postsecondary institutions. Through the Ofice of Community College Research and Leadership (OCCRL), the PP-FFCY project team is conducting a comprehensive needs assessment report that:…

The Illinois Valley Community College (IVCC) Honors Program's mission is to "promote the identification and achievement of education and/or career goals for its participants by offering a specially designed honors curriculum, by providing stimulating academic and social program events, and by facilitating and recognizing student pursuits in…

This study examines innovative practices that have been implemented in a summer session for an elementary school district in the Chicago area, and how program practices of a community college program work to provide academic support for first-generation, college-bound students from low-income households to encourage postsecondary educational…

Integration of informatics competency into a nursing curriculum is important to ensure success throughout the education and career of contemporary nursing students. As enrollment in nursing programs increases, the diverse population of students from many different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds presents a challenge for faculty in…

Over the past decade, online courses and entire online degree programs have been made available, serving millions of students in higher education. These online courses largely have been designed and taught using the theoretical concepts and practical strategies of Asynchronous Learning Networks (ALN). During 2003-04, approximately two million…

Carreras en Salud (Careers in Health) provides bilingual/bicultural individuals with a fully-supported customized career path for nursing and other allied health occupations bridging individuals from unemployment/underemployment to high-demand healthcare positions. Healthcare providers, elected officials, and community leaders have partnered with…

During the next five to ten years, community colleges in Illinois will retire more than half of their tenured faculty members, reflecting a similar national trend. Many masters and doctoral students seeking the professorate may consider community colleges as an attractive teaching opportunity. While community colleges often regard themselves as…

In the U.S., only 38 of every 100 ninth graders enroll in college; of these 38, only 18 complete bachelors' degrees within six years. Asynchronous learning networks (ALN)--asynchronous, highly interactive, instructor-led, resource-rich, cohort-based learning--can yield high success rates. Growing demand for online education and the expectation…

The Illinois Board of Higher Education appointed a committee to study: (1) the development and the advantage and disadvantages of the present system of financing; (2) the financial systems of other states with highly developed public educational (community college) systems; (3) the major alternative schemes of financing for the future; and (4)…

Describes an evaluation of twenty local adult basic education programs for the Illinois Office of Education by Northern Illinois University. Findings are presented for program components evaluated: curriculum and instruction, intra- and extrainstitutional relationships, professionalism, evaluation and follow-up, physical facilities, efficiency and…

Describes Illinois community colleges' involvement in economic development through a network of business centers operated by all of the state's 39 districts. Looks at the programs and services offered by the colleges in areas such as customized job training, training for small businesses, contract procurement assistance, and Job Training…

Reports on the project, New Initiatives for Economic Development: An Experiment in Community Development. Reveals the economic impacts of 100 new jobs in a community, the achievements of the project to date, and identifies barriers to economic growth in Illinois communities. (AYC)

This report highlights the involvement of Illinois public community colleges in preparing individuals for employment, including instruction and services offered to students and businesses. After providing an overview of the state's community college system, the report describes the following components and aspects of employment preparation: (1)…

Designed for use by employment skills training operators and educators, this report provides information on competency-based education (CBE) and its use in Illinois. First, some of the main features of CBE programs are outlined, i.e., their emphasis on the interests, needs, and strengths of students and on providing those skills that the student…