This article presents the findings from a review of a community college's entrepreneurship course designed to encourage business start-ups. The study utilized a survey to obtain information from 142 Haywood Community College students who completed the Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning (REAL) course. Qualitative interviews were…

This study examines two community college instructional support programs to explore the effectiveness of an evaluation model--responsive evaluation theory--that may ease the tensions between a concern over programs' processes and reporting requirements for program outcomes. The study uses a comparative qualitative case study design and applies…

Over the past few decades, deterioration in student achievement has provoked a pervasive public sentiment that American institutions are failing to meet the needs and expectations of society. The growing public demand for transparency and accountability has fueled the integration of state-mandated learning outcomes assessment into the standards…

This study hypothesized that student performance in a First Year Introduction program (FYI), representing an initial sampling of students' academic behaviors, would correlate with subsequent academic success. Subjects were 1,501 first-time, first-year students attending Columbia Basin College in fall quarter 2007, whose FYI performance was graded…

Community colleges nationwide are tasked with meeting the needs of a wide range of students, many of whom come to higher education with financial, educational, and social disadvantages. Developing strategies to effectively serve these students and promote their academic and personal success can be challenging and resource-intensive. The study…

In this study, the different types of research designs used to assess the impact of prerequisite courses are presented. Supported by an in-depth literature review, the challenges that are faced in the assessment of the impact of prerequisites, from statistical to political, are identified and their pitfalls are pointed out. In particular, the…

The assessment of student learning outcomes in integrated courses is particularly challenging. This article reviews a range of assessment studies conducted over two decades by a community college that requires integrated Learning Communities for the transfer degree. This review highlights methodologies, findings, and lessons learned from these…

A web-based formula-driven tool has been developed for the purpose of performing two distinct academic department budgeting functions: allocation funding to the department, and budget management by the department. The tool's major features are discussed and its uses demonstrated. The tool's advantages are presented. (Contains 10 figures.)

This study examines the impact of a new Decision-Support System (DSS) on decision making in a community college in California. It looks at how attitudes and behaviors about data and their use were impacted by the implementation of a new DSS. The study found that the decentralization of data, through the DSS, produced a shift in terms of an…

Describes a study that used Unemployment Insurance/Social Security Insurance wage data to examine the effects of participation in educational programs at a multicultural, inner city community college. Reports impressive gains in earnings for economically disadvantaged students who completed associate degrees (257%) and for associate degree…

Analyzes the outcomes of a learning assessment approach used at a Midwest community college. Reports that data were obtained from students' scores on prompts and the college's student information management system. Finds that: (1) 76% of prompts were scored at a level that indicated students met general education achievement levels; and (2) 55% of…

Discusses student participation in campus focus groups to identify what did and did not work in the transfer process, and what should be improved. Distinguishes course transfer, inter-and intra-institutional communications, and advising as major points of concern in transferring. (VWC)

Describes two methodologies utilized to evaluate developmental reading instruction at Suffolk Community College (New York). The first examined student grade point averages (GPAs), and the second compared pre- and posttest reading test scores. Finds beneficial impact on students' overall GPAs and significant gains in reading skills. Suggests the…

Reports on a partnership formed in 1992 to study the transfer process among and between high schools, community colleges, and universities. Describes results in terms of student flow patterns, efficiency of the transfer process, and academic performance patterns. (14 citations) (VWC)

Provides evidence that students who participated in the ASSET One-Stop Shopping program demonstrated enhanced academic progress and achievement. Includes suggestions for fostering student success in college. (17 citations) (YKH)