Describes a series of projects conducted in the Dallas County Community College District at various stages of a major curriculum review process. Discusses guiding principles that emerged from the process, relating to institutional autonomy, faculty and staff commitment, community support, and high institutional priority for the effort. (AYC)

Assessment programs, which have recently been implemented in colleges around the country, have indirectly affected the quality of education in ways that are both researchable and measurable. Admissions and placement testing affect educational quality by separating high and low achievers, and making it possible for high-level texts to be used and…

Since 1989, the North Central Association has required accredited institutions to develop programs that assess student academic achievement and reemphasized the role of general education (GE) as a central requirement for degree programs. At Wisconsin's Madison Area Technical College (MATC), these requirements presented four related challenges:…

In November 1995, Missouri's St. Louis Community College established a task force to reevaluate the role of the general education (GE) curriculum and recommend an appropriate curriculum design. This final report summarizes the efforts and results of the task force. Following lists of task force and subcommittee members, an introduction reviews…

Recommending goals and standards to improve mathematics education at the two-year college and lower-division levels, this report focuses on core content themes for developmental mathematics, associate in applied science, and baccalaureate intending programs. Following introductory sections, chapter 2 describes the CORE, or common content themes…

On November 5, 1985, the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) adopted a uniform set of high school subject requirements for admission to public university baccalaureate degree programs and to public community college associate in arts (AA) and associate in science (AS) degree programs. The specific high school subjects required for admission…

This booklet is comprised of eight courses for fire science which were identified as common-core by a statewide fire science education advisory council composed of experts in the field of fire science education in Arizona. Common-core courses included are (1) Introduction to Fire Protection, (2) Introduction to Fire Prevention, (3) Introduction to…

In 1988, the Basic Skills Task Force was established to assess the effectiveness of four academic policies in addressing the needs of California community college students with skills deficiencies. The policies define the scope and content of Adult Basic Education and of Precollegiate Basic Skills Instruction in nondegree-applicable credit…

The Software Development Program described in this report was developed at Collin County Community College as a pilot associate degree program for the State of Texas. Drawing from an employer needs assessment and a DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) process, the two-year associate in applied science (AAS) program was developed to train scientific…

This manual was developed to serve as an aid to administrators and instructors involved with postsecondary air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration programs. The first of six chapters contains general information on program implementation, the curriculum design, facilities and equipment requirements, and textbooks and references. Chapter 2…

The Butte College Tech Prep Consortium (TPC), in Oroville, California, is a cooperative effort of secondary and postsecondary schools, local businesses, and community organizations to develop and implement Tech Prep opportunities in the area. The TPC has developed a competency-based, comprehensive tech prep curriculum model that is applicable to…

In 1989-90, the General Education Task Force of the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) was convened to determine the role of the general education curriculum in the attainment of skills that enhance the likelihood of success among technical college graduates in their careers, homes and communities. The Task Force consisted of at least one…

The Truckee Meadows Community College curriculum development project was designed to enhance the success of underprepared college students aspiring to succeed in the college's occupational and general educational programs. Initial plans called for (1) the development of individualized learning and basic skills modules; (2) creation of an…

This study evaluated student preparation for a course in calculus for business, management, and social sciences as a prerequisite for success in probability theory. The study included a review of the literature, development of an assessment instrument and cut-off scores, and review and validation of the study criteria, the assessment instrument,…

In an attempt to revitalize and reform its curriculum, the Associate of Arts-Associate of Science (AA-AS) Degree Review Committee (DRC) of Connecticut's Norwalk Community College issued a curriculum report proposing a 21 credit, limited distributive core for the AS degree (which accounts for 80% of the college's degree recipients). This proposal…