Longitudinal student unit record (SUR) data can be used to answer many important questions about student progression. This guide shows researchers how to use longitudinal SUR data to identify different student groups among first-time community college students, calculate rates of attainment of milestones and momentum points for each group, and…

This exploratory study was designed to examine the 2006-2007 qualitative and quantitative data of community college students enrolled in face to face (F2F) and online student orientation programs. The purpose of this study was to determine if the presence of an F2F orientation would increase the retention rates of students in an online course. The…

The initiation of new accreditation standards for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges in 2002 mandated assessing student learning as a requirement for all community colleges. This study examined a non-Californian community college recognized by experts as having successfully institutionalized student learning outcomes. Qualitative data…

Can we use the methods of Web usability testing to learn about library instruction? This article is among the first in the field trying to establish a link between usability and instruction. The author discusses useful insights that Web usability can bring to our pedagogy as well as to the efficiency of library instruction. The result of a Web…

In 2005, supported by a CCCC's Research Initiative Grant and TYCA volunteers, the TYCA Research Initiative Committee distributed the first national survey of two-year college writing programs. This online survey explored two-year college programs and satisfaction within four areas identified in the CCCC grant proposal: (1) Assessment; (2)…

Nutrition-related messages inundate mass media advertisements in the United States but it is unclear as to how those messages affect a person's food selection behavior and awareness of nutrient and non-nutrient message content. This dissertation is a culmination of research examining the use of mass media (television and print) as a pedagogical…

This essay examines the impact of WAC/WID methodology and technology in an Education Capstone Course for Childhood Education majors at LaGuardia Community College/CUNY. Written discourse and ePortfolio development of students enrolled in the writing-intensive capstone course is examined within the framework of Veronica Boix Mansilla's (2004) work…

This issue of "The Progress of Education Reform" will look at recent research on transfer and articulation in light of the new movement to increase degree attainment by addressing the following three questions: (1) Do articulation agreements ease the transfer process and lead to degree attainment; (2) what are the factors that facilitate…

Lateral transfer (between community colleges) is second only to upward transfer (to a 4-year institution) among community college students' most common patterns of transfer. Yet, upward transfer is the focus of innumerable studies, while lateral transfer has received very little empirical attention. This study explores the occurrence and frequency…

A study was conducted by Prince George's Community College, in Maryland, to determine outcomes after 4 years for the 2,643 first-time students who entered the college in fall 1990. The analysis was based on an outcomes typology developed at the college which defines outcomes as award and transfer; transfer without an award; award without transfer;…

To gather data on student characteristics and attitudes, Missouri's Crowder College undertook surveys of current students in June and July of 1995. Data were compiled from results from an assessment test administered to 110 students in June 1995 and surveys conducted of 190 students at June and July orientations. Study findings included the…

A study was undertaken at California's College of the Canyons to determine outcomes for students who challenged course prerequisites and enrolled in courses requiring placement levels higher than recommended between spring 1993 and fall 1994. Data were gathered from analyses of 529 placement/prerequisite waiver forms and transcripts from 445…

A study was conducted at New York's Westchester Community College (WCC) to determine the characteristics and preferences of students enrolled in the two 1996 summer sessions. Surveys were sent to 1,271 students from Session I, held from May 13 to June 7, with usable responses received from 64.2% (n=816). An analysis of responses from Session I…

At the close of the spring 1997 term, Florida's Pensacola Junior College (PJC) undertook an analysis of enrollment to determine trends from the previous spring term. Results of the analysis included the following: (1) PJC ended spring 1997 with 2,648 unadjusted fundable full-time equivalent (FFTE) students, a drop of 8%, or 231 FFTE, from spring…

At the close of the 1996-97 academic year, Florida's Pensacola Junior College (PJC) undertook an analysis of enrollment to determine trends from the previous academic year. Results of the analysis included the following: (1) PJC ended the year with 6,644 fundable full-time equivalent (FFTE) students, a drop of 6.6%, or 470.5 FFTE, from 1995-96;…