Reviews recent research on retention and achievement among Hispanic community college students, focusing on influences on persistence, transfer rates, and financial aid. Identifies needs for additional research, curricular reforms, and retention programs stressing counseling and advisement to promote the development of clear, concrete and…

Describes Laney College's Project Bridge, a basic skills program designed for underprepared community college students. Discusses the program's basic tenets (i.e., student-centered classrooms, the primacy of spoken language, and incorporation of minority group culture and international awareness). Considers the program's goals and organizational…

Presents results from a study comparing General Educational Development (GED) certificate holders and traditional high school graduates enrolled at Florida's community colleges in terms of admissions, enrollment rates, program completions, and academic success. Indicates that GED holders have lower grade point averages and graduation rates than…

Describes a study examining the perceptions of administrators, counselors, faculty, and underprepared students about the integration of underprepared students in an urban community college. Indicates that students unrealistically evaluate their academic integration and that college officials do not view academic and social integration in the same…

Discusses the impact of social/structural mobility on first-generation college students, focusing on the common need to renegotiate relations with family and friends and to acquire a new social identity with the attendant symbols (language, dress, etc.) of status-group membership. (DMM)

Describes a study conducted in 1986 at a suburban community college in the Pacific Northwest of the interaction between three student characteristics (i.e., gender, age, and socioeconomic background) and the program of study the students chose. Indicates that all three characteristics play a role in explaining the complexity surrounding program…

Describes a study of the relationship between the family background, personal characteristics, and educational goals and achievement of 424 community college office occupations students in Illinois and their decision to terminate their education with the associate degree or to transfer to a 4-year college. Finds educational goals critical in…

Examines the fit between college outcomes assessment designed to assess specific qualitative outcomes and community colleges' diverse clientele, pointing to a disjuncture of methods and motives. Foresees the possibility of two-year colleges' changing their structure, organization, and academic expectations in response. (30 references) (MAB)

Explores the use of local area networks (LAN's) in learning laboratories and how they are improving learning outcomes for certain student populations (e.g., deaf and developmental students). Describes how LAN's alter the instructor's role and how instructors can manage student-driven classrooms. Offers guidance on implementing a network system.…

Reviews questions to consider when providing academic advising in two-year colleges, addressing student academic requirements, transfer and degree interests, certainty of plans, time, financial resources, and parental or other external pressures. Discusses advisement strategies, including goal setting, decision-making techniques, and group…

Discusses a survey of nonreturning students at Cuyamaca College (California), distinguishing between positive attrition (successful nonreturners) and negative attrition (unsuccessful nonreturners). Compares two groups in terms of goals, employment, satisfaction with college, high school performance, gender, and ethnicity. Recommends…

Describes Prince George's Community College's Black and Minority Student Retention Programs, focusing on enrollment patterns, initial retention efforts, program objectives, support services provided, selection criteria for students, and the mentoring component. Traces program growth and presents evaluation results. (DMM)

Provides a literature review on community college services to older adults, focusing on studies of this population's needs (e.g., personal business and financial information, employment needs, physical fitness training, and maintaining self-esteem and a sense of the purpose and meaning in life) and courses and services that colleges offer. (DMM)

Describes a national study of community college funding conditions at the state level, which ascertained whether individual institutions had implemented or were considering enrollment limitations resulting from budget shortfalls. Although a majority of states reported declining state support and increasing enrollments, few college leaders reported…

Argues for the importance of systematically studying the effects of community colleges on students. Research findings are reported on the following effects: attaining a bachelor's degree, labor market returns, economic returns, and developmental impact. Concludes that community colleges may be fostering student talent with the same degree of…