This mixed-method study explored the alignment of expected student learning outcomes (SLOs) and expected student entrance skills, as stated within "course outlines of record" (CORs), for basic skills courses in one California community college district. Researchers evaluated consistencies and discrepancies in course alignment. There were…

The second annual implementation report for the Accelerating Opportunity (AO) initiative in four states finds that: (1) colleges aligned pathways and supports with local needs; (2) students were satisfied with AO; (3) AO instructors grew more adept at team teaching; (4) colleges struggled to recruit adult education students; (5) states and…

More than a third of all undergraduate students are 25 or older, and their presence on college and university campuses is growing. However, institutions of higher learning are struggling to meet the needs of, and improve persistence and completion rates for, this significant student population. "Increasing Adult Learner Persistence and…

How important is academic advising to students--and what aspects of advising are students most and least satisfied with? This report builds on the considerable evidence to date that students view advising as an important and needed service. It also documents specific strengths and challenges related to the advising process for public, private,…

Several years ago, when his college first financed a writing program administrator (WPA) position--reassigned time and a budget to pay adjunct faculty stipends for program development--the author met with all the most senior adjunct faculty. "Without you," he told them, "this effort to build a better writing program won't work. Participation and…

Teng's (2007) article entitled "Lessons Learned from Initiating a Community College Learning Community Program" provided a foundation for community college leaders who are interested in working with faculty in creating a learning community on campus. Teng (2007) listed the five lessons that may be useful guidelines to other colleges who…

One enduring, and perhaps endearing, characteristic of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) is its commitment to pluralism. NCHC recognizes that excellent honors educational opportunities can be cultivated across the diverse settings of American higher education from two-year community colleges through large, comprehensive research…

Offering lifelong and developmental learning to over 13 million students at nearly 1,200 schools, community colleges in the United States attract a student body with remarkable economic, ethnic, and cultural diversity. They provide students with skills and foundational knowledge upon which successful professional careers and rewarding personal…

Examines the recent reemergence of honors programs in community colleges. Highlights the advantages of such programs, offers caveats concerning their establishment, and considers various structural models and special programmatic features. (DMM)

Reveals that 7 percent of the community college population has some type of special education need. Outlines steps taken in various schools to serve learning disabled students and discusses some of the drawbacks to establishing and maintaining adequate programs and services. (AYC)

Underscores the problems of misunderstanding and misrepresentation in competency-based education (CBE). Proposes a definition of CBE, acknowledging that it must be adapted to individual colleges. Offers a rationale for adopting a CBE framework and provides an inventory model to facilitate the assessment of the quality of a CBE program. (CAM)

Highlights approaches to improving student retention used at the Agricultural and Technical College at Delhi, NY. Describes the formation and activities of a fact-finding task force and of an ongoing student retention planning and steering committee. (CAM)

This May 1969 conference, jointly sponsored by the Illinois Junior College Board and the Illinois Association of Community and Junior Colleges, provided a chance for board members, educators, faculty, and students to discuss current problems. Among the many topics of interest were program development in new technologies, dental auxiliaries,…

Vocational students require their own humanities courses not because they differ from liberal arts students in their abilities, values or aspirations, but because their programs are more structured and allow less time for electives. In order to serve vocational students, humanities courses should fit the tight time and credit constraints of…

The Lifestyle Management Project is a health promotion project and research study conducted in the spring of 1984 at five Los Angeles junior college campuses. Its goal was to increase knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CHD) risk factors among 400 to 2000 junior college students in each campus. This was done via five risk factor activities: blood…