Community colleges nationwide are tasked with meeting the needs of a wide range of students, many of whom come to higher education with financial, educational, and social disadvantages. Developing strategies to effectively serve these students and promote their academic and personal success can be challenging and resource-intensive. The study…

This study explores the degree of alignment between high school mathematics and language arts assessments and community college placement examinations in widespread use in California. The study was conducted in two stages. The first stage analyzed the variety of placement exams used to determine their core content. The second stage analyzed the…

This article describes Washington State's Student Achievement Initiative, an accountability system implemented in 2005-06 that measures students' gains in college readiness, college credits earned, and degree or certificate completion. The goal of the initiative is to increase educational attainment by focusing on the critical momentum points…

In this study, the different types of research designs used to assess the impact of prerequisite courses are presented. Supported by an in-depth literature review, the challenges that are faced in the assessment of the impact of prerequisites, from statistical to political, are identified and their pitfalls are pointed out. In particular, the…

This article reports research involving collaboration between a developmental studies department and a mathematics department in an effort to increase the academic success of developmental students who transition into college-level math. Three separate projects were conducted with former developmental math students currently enrolled in an…

Presents findings from a retrospective analysis of the academic records of 1,581 students who received associate's degrees from the City Colleges of Chicago in spring 1987. Indicates that 4% of the students completed the degree within 2 years, and 20% took 10 years or more. The modal time-to-degree fell between two and four years. (MAB)

Discusses the history, struggles, and successes of assessment work done at Tacoma Community College (TCC) (Washington). Demonstrates the state and national work TCC has accomplished and the partnerships that have been formed with other institutions as a result of the work. Offers assessment grid example. (NB)

Examines developmental/remedial programs at public two-year institutions across four geographical regions of the United States in order to investigate regional variations in these programs. Analyzes operational characteristics, institutional policies, and student participation and performance. Provides recommendations for practitioners,…

Describes a study of the lives of Johnson County Community College students, focusing on the ways students apportioned their time, the problems they experienced and their solutions, their expectations and experiences, and the impact of the college on the students. Students typically had many obligations in addition to education. Includes 6 data…

Describes a study conducted to gather information about the number of two-year college students who hold baccalaureate degrees. Finds that, for academic year 1997-98: (1) 12,946 students out of 753,255 already had bachelor's degrees, 2,527 had master's degrees, and 142 had doctoral degrees; and (2) criminal justice development was the most popular…

Describes a study that uses multiple regression analysis to identify factors associated with attrition as well as discriminant analysis to develop a profile of high-risk students before they start classes. Results show that being placed on academic probation was the best predictor of whether a student would leave school. Includes one data table.…

Analyzes the relationship between student involvement and growth in community college students, particularly those intending to transfer to a four-year program, and compares outcomes for male and female students. Findings indicate that students benefited from talking with advisers, and that the relationship between student effort and growth was…

Describes a study investigating the academic relationship between passing standards on Florida's College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) and student achievement as measured by CLAST. Discusses assumptions underpinning the phased-in implementation of twice raised CLAST passing standards. Indicates that increased academic standards failed to…

Describes the philosophy and practical steps involved in doing outcomes assessment on student services. Discusses several assessment models, with special attention placed on Nichol's outcomes assessment template. Describes the process as applied at Lower Columbia College (Washington). (Contains two tables and seven references.) (NB)

Focuses on difference in perceptions of chief student affairs officers (CSAOs) of color and white CSAOs regarding barriers and strategies for recruiting and retaining two-year college students of color. Reports that CSAOs of color were more likely to perceive attitudinal barriers, such as negative campus racial climates, and structural barriers,…