This chapter tells a story of course reform, describing in a fresh and candid way the steps taken toward change and the results achieved. The authors emphasize that instructors need considerable support in order to teach differently, as well as underscore the need to consider scalability of reform even at the pilot stage.

This chapter describes the structure and implementation of a redesign of developmental education in the Virginia Community College System, discusses preliminary descriptive findings from an evaluation of the redesign, and shares lessons for the field.

This chapter describes a promising new approach to teaching developmental arithmetic and prealgebra, and presents research findings that demonstrate how a faculty support network helped instructors adopt new teaching strategies and gain confidence in teaching the reformed course.

Community colleges, which serve almost half of postsecondary students in the United States, are receiving ever-increasing attention from policymakers and researchers. Although these institutions have always served a wide range of people in their communities, the number of students who enter community college requiring additional preparation before…

Examines the eight models for general education programming presented in this volume, highlighting patterns found in the articles. Indicates that the programs emphasize communication skills, an appreciation for diversity, technological and mathematical literacy, the development of moral reasoning skills, and the improvement of student critical…

Addresses the institutional context, goals, philosophy, external constraints, and assessment implications of the general education program at Piedmont Virginia Community College. Indicates that establishing faculty ownership of the program, anticipating faculty turf battles, making larger external connections, and appropriately restructuring the…

Reviews the Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC) general education program, focusing on the program's specific applications at MDCC's Wolfson Campus. Indicates that general education at the Campus involves education in environmental issues, social studies, humanities, multicultural awareness, the cultivation of individual responsibility, and…

Describes the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MNTC), a statewide agenda for improving student transfer that inspired general education reform. Reviews the Minnesota Community College System, elements of the statewide reform movement, key principles of the MNTC and issues related to its implementation, and future challenges to education reform in…

Describes the design, implementation, and assessment of the general education program at Bunker Hill Community College, in Boston, Massachusetts. Indicates that the program is designed to serve as an academic commons where students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds can come together and share common intellectual experiences. (MAB)

Discusses the general education core at Washington State's Shoreline Community College, which includes integrated studies courses and learning communities. Indicates that the college has established general education outcomes that guide the design of a coherent core of study for both academic transfer and vocational students. (MAB)

Provides a four-level conceptual model of how technology can and should be used to enhance learning in the community college. Reviews issues such as personnel collaboration and staff development, which are important to the implementation of a technology plan. Contains four data tables. (JDI)

Specific programs to meet the increasing demands for engineering technicians during the 1970s can be particularly well implemented by community colleges. (Editor)