This article reports on a qualitative, interpretive case study examining how trustees, administrators, faculty members, and staff members at a rural community college understand their institution's accountability environment. Data analysis and interpretation established that participants conceptualized institutional accountability as dialogic,…

This study addresses a campus institutional effectiveness (IE) process and its influence on faculty and staff. Although a comprehensive, rational IE process appeals to campus leaders, this study found that it creates significant faculty and staff challenges. Campus leaders, faculty, and staff differ in their (a) knowledge and support of IE; (b)…

Offers topics for research as a basis for improving the community college. Suggests attention to the following areas: mission, philosophical commitments, institutional management and operations, faculty role, student needs, academic planning, and community services/lifelong education. (DMM)

The Northern California Research Group (NORCAL) organized a series of workshops for occupational administrators designed to provide insight into research procedures and practices in areas including: program effectiveness, job placement services, needs assessment, program evaluation, and follow-up studies. (NHM)

Reviews developmental education programs stressing the need for institutional research to determine the viable parts of such curricula in view of cutbacks being made of costly programs. Discusses factors causing insufficient skills in students, considers program evaluation, and reviews six established developmental programs. (MB)

Argues that the need for research on the community college is intensified by the ever-changing character of learner needs and community conditions. Addresses two criticisms of two-year college research: the same questions are researched repeatedly and the effort overtaxes institutions. Calls for a stronger research base on the two-year college.…

Summarizes several significant research studies conducted since 1978 that have focused on community colleges. Offers an agenda for future research, covering student objectives and outcomes, administrative decision making, and faculty administrator relationships. Identifies several research issues as fundamental to repositioning community colleges…

Argues that community college survival requires reliable information about environmental factors, trends, and changes. Reviews the use of strategic planning and change strategies. Considers the best way to organize an information-gathering unit, where to place it in the school's organizational structure, and how to staff it. (WL)

Discusses the following factors influencing the role of community college institutional researchers: the current emphasis on proposal writing and grant management, fiscal constraints, mission expansion, marketing, program evaluations, faculty/administrator relations, institutional credibility and change, college planning, and issues of the 1980s.…

Describes a method of evaluation which ensures maximum yield. Mentions common pitfalls in evaluation procedures and proposes Reality-Based Evaluation (RBE) as a safeguard against them. Outlines RBE and concludes that evaluation results must play an active role in bringing about change. (JG)

Discusses the meaning and extent of developmental education in community colleges and higher education. Presents some current controversies, examines outcomes-related data, and addresses issue of faculty training in the field. (Contains 57 references.) (AUTH/NB)

Reports results of a 1991 national survey of environmental scanning practices at two-year institutions. Examines sophistication of scanning efforts; personnel involved; and methods of collecting, compiling, interpreting, communicating, and using scan information. Finds scanning practices in use at 41% of the 601 responding institutions. (PAA)

Identifies and assesses the current status of community college peer institution selection systems. Finds that a limited body of research exists in the area. Suggests further research to identify unique community college variables and determine the role of classification systems in describing community college diversity. (Contains 31 references.)…

Drawing from reports on the future of community colleges, summarizes trends in enrollments, curriculum, student achievement, institutional research, and accountability for educational outcomes. (DMM)

Presents a model for assessing institutional effectiveness within the context of an accreditation self-study, drawing from the recent experiences of the Collin County Community College District (CCCCD). Reviews the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' criteria for institutional effectiveness and the institutional research, organizational,…