Assesses the extent of centralization of state governance structures for community colleges in 45 states, offering a rank ordering of states and a tally of the number of highly decentralized (3), decentralized (10), moderately decentralized (11), moderately centralized (5), centralized (13), and highly centralized (2) state systems. (DMM)

Profiles state community college systems in terms of type of governing board, percentage of state versus local funding, number of institutions, and years in existence. Examines relationship of these traits to degree of centralization of governance structures. Finds systems with more than 50% state funding tending toward centralized governance…

In 1990 a study was conducted whose purpose was to establish empirically the degree to which governance of each state community college system was centralized or decentralized. This data would provide information on which to base decisions for changing governance structures. The 1990 study was replicated in 1997. A 100% response rate was obtained…