Although community colleges have made significant strides in assessing student learning outcomes, there are a number of significant challenges that need to be addressed in order to realize fully the anticipated benefits of these efforts. This chapter identifies these major challenges and provides specific suggestions that can be used by community…

Reviews research on community college students' enrollment in and completion of liberal arts courses. Examines reasons for enrolling or not enrolling in various courses; the characteristics of students who avoid liberal arts courses; the curriculum's potential for inhibiting liberal arts enrollment; and steps to promote enrollment and success.…

Reviews the literature relating the decline in transfer education to: increased enrollments in occupational programs; the growth of remedial and community education; the increase in the number of part-time, older students; and competition from four-year colleges. A bibliography is included. (AYC)

In November 1984, a study was conducted at Napa Valley College (NVC) to assess student satisfaction with the college's programs and services. An in-class survey was completed by 835 day and evening students enrolled in credit classes during the fall 1984 semester. Study findings included the following: (1) most students were attending NVC to…

Describes a study conducted to determine the percentage of students who complete their initial science course; the relationship between students' first science course grades and their enrollment and success in subsequent science courses; and the similarity of science grades and overall grade point average. Suggests ways of promoting success. (AYC)

In light of the substantial commitment of resources to counseling and institutional support services, a study was undertaken to determine the extent to which these services are reaching their intended audience. The study drew from an in-class survey of 6,426 students at a large, urban community college district. Among other items, the students…

In summer 1982, interviews were conducted in the Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Maricopa County, Miami-Dade, and St. Louis Community College Districts to determine: (1) the prevalence of honors programs in the districts; (2) reasons for initiating the programs; (3) types of honors programs and activities in use; (4) admissions criteria for honors…

Presents the findings of a study investigating student and teacher perceptions of the academic abilities of students enrolled in liberal arts courses; students' need for and use of support services; and course attrition rates. Suggests alternatives to promote student success. (WL)

Describes the methodology and findings of a study conducted to determine: (1) the percentage of students who considered themselves weak in an academic area and who took advantage of college assistance programs addressing that deficiency; and (2) student reasons and faculty perceptions regarding lack of participation in remedial programs. (DMM)

A study was conducted to determine the earnings made by students while enrolled at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) in California, and during their first and third years after leaving SBCC. The study, which compared employment status and earnings by occupational field, and outcomes for associate-degree completers and those earning 12 or more…

Community college students are dropping courses at increasing rates at substantial costs to their institutions and themselves. Subsequently, numerous studies have been conducted to investigate this trend, the factors that influence it, and ways of reversing it. A recent study revealed that the most frequently cited reason for course withdrawal was…

In fall 1983, Napa Valley College fully implemented its Student Orientation, Assessment, Advisement, and Retention (SOAAR) program, which consisted of assessment of first-time students' math and reading skills, advisement about enrolling in regular or developmental courses based on scores, course advisement, and the provision of information on…

Examines and evaluates three approaches used by community colleges to provide academic assistance to educationally underprepared students: offering compensatory programs and services as electives; requiring certain students to participate in skills courses; and offering basic skills instruction as part of regular courses. (DMM)

The transcripts of 8,873 students, representing 7% of the enrollments in the Los Angeles Community College District, were examined to determine course participation and completion rates in science. Six curricular areas were investigated: (1) agriculture; (2) biological sciences; (3) engineering; (4) mathematics and computer science; (5) physical…

Reports on a study of social science education in the Los Angeles Community College District, focusing on instructor ratings of student skills, students' self-ratings of their skills, course completion rates, instructional practices, course organization, grades, and social science course offerings. (DMM)