This hearing of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions focuses on reauthorizing the Higher Education Act through access and innovation. The following committee members presented opening statements: (1) Honorable Lamar Alexander, Chairman, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and (2) Honorable Patty Murray, Ranking…

The Maine Community College System (MCCS or "System") is comprised of seven colleges, nine campuses, and six off-campus centers that are located within 25 miles of over 90% of Maine's population. The colleges offer one-year certificate and two-year associate degree programs that are designed to lead to direct employment or transfer to a…

This paper outlines criteria for the award of certificates and associate in arts (A.A.), associate in science (A.S.), and associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degrees in Colorado community colleges. Certificate programs, regardless of their duration, are defined as those designed primarily to lead to employment immediately upon completion and…

The 1998 Head Start Act mandated that 50 percent of all Head Start teachers nationwide have a minimum of an associate degree in early childhood education or a related field by September 2003 and that each classroom in center-based programs without such degreed teachers have a teacher with a Child Development Associate credential or equivalent…

The 1994 Florida State Legislature directed the Postsecondary Education Planning Commission to conduct a review of selected Associate in Science (A.S.) community college programs to determine the effect of program length on student completion rates, licensure passing rates, job placements, average earnings, and performance in further postsecondary…

A study of degree/certificate standards of community colleges in 29 states showed wide variations in standards, but also many similarities for three principal associate degrees--associate of arts (A.A.), associate of science (A.S.), and associate of applied science (A.A.S.). These three degrees, plus an associate of general studies (A.G.S.) and an…

The entry-into-practice movement in nursing education was triggered most recently by a bill known as the 1985 Resolution which would require a baccalaureate degree as preparation for licensure as a registered professional nurse in New York by 1985. Several related issues have implications for community college administrators and educators. Those…

In response to a perceived need to increase the number of students completing associate degree programs and enhance the offering of associate degree programs, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education developed a policy on associate degree programs offered at public institutions. Specifically, the policy is designed to clarify degree…

The Illinois Board of Higher Education has endorsed a four-step plan to accelerate implementation of its policies on transfer and articulation. The plan involved calling for all community colleges to adopt the Illinois Community College Board's (ICCB's) Model Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Science (AS) Degree Requirements; developing a…

This staff analysis by the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges discusses and offers recommendations concerning the report, "Proposals for Strengthening the Associate Degree in the California Community Colleges," by the Task Force on Academic Quality. The paper begins with brief staff comments on the associate…

These three brief documents, a policy statement, a summary of pertinent laws on alcohol and illegal drugs, and a substance addiction specialist curriculum description, taken together describe the Casper College (Wyoming) drug and alcohol abuse prevention program. The policy statement briefly summarizes the health risks associated with drug and…

This document is a progress report on the status of postsecondary articulation agreements in Virginia. Although final decision on admission still rests with the receiving institution, eleven of the fifteen senior public institutions in Virginia have formal policies regarding community college transfer students which are published for students in…

The Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education is required by statute to "establish guidelines to promote and facilitate the transfer of students between institutions of higher education within the state," thus allowing students to complete a degree program in the shortest time possible whether remaining in one institution or…

This publication presents approved guidelines for Texas institutions of higher and postsecondary education in the academic preparation of practitioners in the field of fitness for health. Developed in response to the rapid growth of this field, the guidelines identify and recommend the knowledge and expertise required in career preparation, and…

This report presents college transfer guidelines for Missouri higher education institutions. Introductory material provides a statement of the state's educational philosophy and a definition of elements involved in the articulation process. Next, guidelines are presented regarding transfer policy in the areas of the baccalaureate degree program;…