This report provides an overview of Salt Lake Community College and assesses institutional performance on several indicators. The following indicators are included: (1) participation rate by ethnicity; (2) participation rate by disability; (3) new student assessment of programs and services; (4) success rates of developmental education students;…

This report calls for continual self-evaluation of community colleges to ensure that educational objectives--including knowledge, skills and attitudinal goals--are being met. Faculty and curriculum development must be ongoing, although there is debate over whether it should be proactive or reactive regarding societal changes. Whichever philosophy…

This report furnishes examples of assessment and effectiveness activities at Columbia Basin College (Washington). In 1997, the college's Board of Trustees began using the Carver Model of policy governance and created a new college mission statement and related end states, which directly answer the question, "What good will be produced for…

This report by the Department of Education examines the progress made by the Student Financial Assistance (SFA) program in reaching its objectives. The report notes that for objective 1, customer satisfaction, more than 4 million direct loan records have been processed and over 1 million updates applied since winter 1999; that 84 percent of school…

This report summarizes findings of focus groups of recent high school graduates conducted during new student orientation at Carroll Community College (CCC) in fall 1999. Students were invited to participate in focus groups at the conclusion of the all-day orientation. Three focus groups were held, two with six participants and one with five…

This collection of 10 essays focuses on the role of colleges and universities as engaged citizens seeking to better their communities. The essays include: (1) "Colleges and Universities as Citizens: Issues and Perspectives" (Robert G. Bringle, Richard Games, and Edward A. Malloy); (2) "Ernest L. Boyer: Colleges and Universities as Citizens"…

This report from St. Louis Community College (Missouri) provides an update of the college's activities and outcomes in accordance with the North Central Association's (NCA) standards for institutional effectiveness. It also outlines the college's assessment operations for the next five years, identifying specific activities to develop the…

Secondary education continues to grow. The number of high-school graduates increases from year to year, and the percentage of these graduates who go to higher institutions is still on the increase. It is imperative that a list of those secondary schools that do a standard quantity and quality of work be accessible to students who wish to do…

Procedures of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education are criticized, based on the review of an innovative program run jointly by Washington University and Maryville College in Missouri. Teams evaluating the same program at the two schools approved Washington University's and disapproved Maryville's. (PP)

Seven weaknesses of accreditation are described: long intervals between site visits, automatic accreditation of branches, weak penalties, inadequate public disclosure, inadequate enforcement, leadership shortcomings, and problems with program evaluation. (Author/MLW)

In one federally funded program, the third-party evaluator was under contract with the program evaluated and not the federal funding agency. The social structure of this arrangement has implications for information utilization. (Available from: Jossey-Bass, Inc., 433 California St., San Francisco, CA 94104, single issue, $6.95.) (Author/GDC)

If schools of education are to expand their programs and take on new roles, a change in funding patterns will be necessary. Fund raising skills will be required of college deans and directors and better use of available funds and resources must be made. (JD)

The period of time for which a college is reaccredited, a hotly debated issue at the annual meeting of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, is discussed. Ten-year terms have been shortened, putting a burden on institutions least able to afford the lengthy and costly process. (MLW)

Examines the accreditation process and its effect on the library schools at the universities of Rhode Island, Oklahoma, and San Jose State in California. The denial of accreditation is discussed, as well as the efforts of the schools to comply with recommendations, and the role of the Committee on Accreditation. (Author/BK)

During the 1980's shifts in social, economic, and political forces will be such that major changes will be necessary if educational agencies are to continue to provide a relevant and necessary service to the society that supports them. Institutions must accept change and become skilled in the change activities required. (Author/MLW)