Considers the impact of state power and authority on community college governance. Traces the trend toward increased state influence over institutional decisions in California and Florida. Looks at implications for the future. (DMM)

Reviews ERIC literature on the development of participatory governance structures in community colleges that secure the participation of students, faculty, staff, and other campus constituencies and the growth of state authority at the expense of local autonomy. (DMM)

Traditionally California has relied on local boards to manage and control community colleges and maintain their responsiveness to local needs. This form of governance is threatened by the possibility of a dramatic shift in financial resources from the local to the state level. (LS)

In theory, Illinois community colleges are governed and controlled by local boards; in reality, much of this control has shifted to state agencies such as the Illinois Community College Board and the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Specific areas affected by this shift are budget, courses and curriculum, leases, and renovations. (LS)

States that the shift in community college fiscal support and policy making from the local to the state level has resulted in an increased need for statewide data collection. Explores the problems with state-level community college research, provides examples of successful programs, and explains key features of successful statewide research. (DD)

This collection of articles addresses major questions of community college governance and highlights some of the changes that have taken place in governance over the past decade. The issue contains: (1) "State Power in a New Era: Threats to Local Authority," by Dale Tillery and James L. Wattenbarger; (2) "Power on the Periphery: Faculty and…

The increasing dependency of community colleges on state funding has led to a parallel increase in state intrusion into institutional decision making. If trustees are to head off this intrusion, they must carefully develop sound institutional goals and priorities and must become active lobbyists on their behalf. (DC)

Considers those factors which impinge on local control in the Florida community college system, as well as existing opportunities for local input. Points to possible future effects of proposed legislation to create a new State Community Colleges Coordinating Board. (LS)

Describes the process for the development of new community college curricula and their approval by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), ICCB's classification and definition of instructional programs, ICCB's evaluation of instructional offerings, and the types of cooperative and contractual agreements for offering instructional programs.…

Discusses the growth of the assessment movement, reviews the different measures of student performance being requested by state agencies, and describes institutional responses to state mandates. Offers guidelines for implementing an effective assessment program. (DMM)

Describes Maryland's community college research model, whereby State Board for Community Colleges staff work cooperatively with a voluntary statewide organization composed of institutional researchers from each college. Explains agenda setting, procedures, responsibilities, project monitoring, identification and dissemination of…

Describes two state-mandated programs for institutional accountability in New Jersey (i.e., Basic Skills Assessment Program and College Outcomes Evaluation Program), which function through cooperation between the state's higher education agency and its colleges and universities. Highlights research objectives, procedures, responsibilities,…

This collection of articles addresses ways in which community colleges can maintain institutional integrity while at the same time adapting the colleges' mission to a changing environment. The following articles are included: (1) "The Search for Mission and Integrity: A Retrospective View," by Jennings L. Wagoner, Jr.; (2) "Maintaining Open Access…