A critical analysis is provided of the history and future of Canada's community colleges. After an introduction which traces the movement and development of Canada's community colleges and presents their societal context, a review of the origins and history of the Canadian system is presented. Chapter 1 examines the social influences on community…

A study was conducted to assess the purpose, design, and impact of three specific governmental policy initiatives, instituted between 1981 and 1984, upon the role and function of the 15 community colleges in British Columbia. The three policies included the introduction of a provincial model for long-range planning, the establishment of a formula…

A study of Canadian community college goals as perceived by their chief executive officers and the provincial personnel responsible for college development shows continued emphasis on early development goals and goals reflecting provincial differences in priorities. In general, the results show diversity in community college role and contribution.…

The community college as it has developed in Britsh Columbia is examined with special attention to the social and historical context, the forces which lead to its establishment, and the particular form of institution which emerged. How the college attains its objectives and major problems and issues for the future are discussed. (JMF)

As socio-cultural imperatives change, as political agencies reassess their priorities, and as the demographic pattern of society fluctuates, Canadian community colleges must redefine their roles in the context of their history. Most provincial college systems have enjoyed less than 20 years of evolution. However, it is not simply a lack of…

This paper documents the development of a unique institution in Canadian higher education, the university college in British Columbia. From its roots as a comprehensive community college, the university college was confronted with numerous legislative and policy changes which culminated in its current claim to be called a regional university. In…

Although prison inmates in Canada can choose education as a regular activity during their incarceration, only about 20% of the 9,500 inmates in federal penitentiaries are enrolled in educational programs. This may be due to the variation in the types and quality of programs available; problems of security, transfer policies, variations of…

One alternative model for post-compulsory education, the community college, is examined as it developed in British Columbia (BC). Attention is given to the social and historical context in which the community college idea developed, the complex set of circumstances that lead to an unprecedented growth of educational institutions in BC and the…

In 1988, a study was conducted to determine whether and to what extent the principles of opportunity, accessibility, adaptability, and comprehensiveness upon which Canada's community colleges were established have survived into the 1980's. The theoretical model underpinning the study was based on a three-dimensional matrix in which theories of…