Community colleges are expected to contribute to economic development efforts by implementing new programs that respond to the needs of business and industry. Program development is complex, especially for community colleges in rural areas where business and industry are scarce. This qualitative study explores the factors that influence successful…

An overview is provided of the development of quality/performance circles at Lakeshore Technical Institute (LTI), Wisconsin, and of the projects undertaken through the quality/performance circle program during its 3-year history. First, background information is provided on the use of quality circles in Japan and the United States, including…

Alternatives for revitalizing the programs and management of student services in community colleges are reviewed in this paper. First, alternatives related to student services programs are considered, including: (1) the increased use of computer-assisted counseling to integrate student services more fully with mainstream academic activities; (2)…

In order to build auto mechanics curricula and instructional programs responsive to the needs of employers, Bakersfield College (BC) sent a questionnaire to all employers listed under "Automobile Repairing and Services" in the yellow pages of the local telephone book. Only 43 (20 percent) of the 215 questionnaires sent out were returned;…

Presents major elements of a comprehensive pilot program called DEPTH (Developmental Education: A Program That Helps) implemented in 1977 at Raymond Walters General and Technical College. Discusses orientation program, course content and organization, advising, and program evaluation. (DR)

Describes the development and outcomes of the American Association of Community and Junior College's Building Better Boards Project, which was designed to strengthen the skills of citizen boards of nonprofit organizations by establishing board development/leadership programs at community colleges nationwide. (DMM)

Analyzes the major factors in the failure of student retention programs in community colleges by using an eight-phase hypothetical retention model which is compared with 18 principles of planned change. Concludes with generalizations and explanations for retention program weaknesses. (WL)

Describes Oakton Community College's Critical Literacy Project (CLP), which includes a faculty seminar on critical thinking and analytical reading/writing, all-college staff development programming, and a national conference. Considers faculty ownership, college support, an interdisciplinary focus, and intellectual rigor among the keys to CLP…

The Maricopa Community College District's (MCCD's) Commission on Student Assessment and Initial Course Placement was formed to assess the current status of student assessment for initial course placement across the district, to review the available instruments that assess student skills for placement, to discover what other community college…

Results of a study of general education in California community colleges indicate an indifference on the part of community colleges relative to the development of comprehensive general education programs. General education has been rendered an ineffective part of the student's program; it is little more than a collection of unrelated irrelevant…

In planning for the 1989-90 academic year, Hazard Community College's Employee Professional Development Committee recommended and gained approval for a wellness program that would assist all employees in reducing stress and becoming more physically fit. Similar to fitness programs in the business sector, the wellness program utilized community…

A study was conducted at Shelby State Community College (SSCC) in Tennessee to determine the extent, causes, and solutions to the problem of student retention. The study involved: (1) a comparative analysis of headcounts to assess the extent of the dropout problem, which indicated that enrollments declined sharply from 5,289 in 1983 to 3,399 in…

Presents a nine-step effectiveness plan for the continuing education department of a community college: dream big; study the president's dream; dream a vision for the department; quantify the program's past; study the district; build an identity; plan a schedule of classes; conduct evaluation; and inform long-range planning. (DMM)

These three papers present an organizational framework, an evaluation plan, and a training plan for an integrated cross-curricular tutorial program at Los Medanos College. First, the position paper establishes a standing committee to oversee the Second Generation Tutoring Program and the policies under which the program operates. It focuses on the…

Reports the application of a systems approach to develop a personnel development system for Iowa's vocational personnel at the state's fifteen community colleges. Success of the system (which was the result of a year-long institute) is suggested by the fact that most of the colleges are now developing a local plan of action. (DTT)