Responses from 11 of 17 plastics employers showed a low level of satisfaction with community college plastics courses. Focus groups of 10 plastics students indicated satisfaction with course costs and locations. Courses focused on associate degree requirements and articulation, whereas employers were interested in focused training for jobs and…

Using data from a national nursing job analysis, performance of 189 nursing activities was computed for entry-level associate degree and bachelor's degree nursing graduates. Both performed routine activities most frequently and had similar lower frequencies for more complex or advanced skills. Differences in averages between the two groups were…

A survey of 50 students each in 4 types of nursing programs (associate degree, diploma, generic bachelor's and upper-level bachelor's) found no significant difference between professionalism exhibited by seniors in generic and associate degree programs. Positive correlations of critical thinking and professionalism were almost as strong among…

Reviews the current state of differentiated practice and credentialing in nursing and proposes a national generalist certification program for professional nurses, based on achievement of the nursing baccalaureate degree and/or examination. (SK)

Case studies of successful labor-community college apprenticeship partnerships show that collaboration occurs when parties derive mutual benefits, collectively access external funds, stipulate roles/responsibilities, and resolve conflicts. Dual enrollment of apprentices in associate degree programs is a promising strategy. (SK)

Examined attendance patterns of two-year college transfers to a public university, investigating how many students transferred with associate degrees. Students used two-year colleges in many ways to pursue baccalaureates, with 45 percent of students attending 3 or more colleges in pursuing the baccalaureate and 13 percent continuing to enroll at…

As a growing percentage of future high school graduates come from communities that have been traditionally underserved by higher education, and more jobs will require some level of postsecondary education, community colleges will be an increasingly important asset for communities that are struggling to meet the demands of a rapidly changing,…

How to strengthen technician education to meet the needs of the biotechnology industry was the question before the 50 people who participated in the "Educating Biotechnicians for Future Industry Needs" conference from April 28 to 30 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The participants were from higher education, secondary schools, industry, government, and…

Over a two-year period beginning in March 2004, community colleges in Maryland developed a revised set of accountability indicators for a state-mandated Performance Accountability Report first required by a 1988 statute. A major innovation was a new model for assessing student degree progress. This article explains the development and components…

The "State-By-State Profile of Community Colleges," 7th edition, presents an overview of trends and statistics pertaining to community colleges. The charts in the first section of the book offer a national view of populations served, tuition and revenue data, popular degrees, and career fields. The state-by-state section provides…

This applied dissertation was an evaluation of the student engagement practices offered to students in a criminal justice program at a Midwestern technical college. The problem was that an evaluation of the practices had not been conducted to provide data to indicate whether the current practices were effective. The researcher developed an…

As the world economy continues to evolve, businesses and industries must adopt new practices and processes in order to survive. Quality and cost control, work teams and participatory management, and an infusion of technology are transforming the way people work and do business. Employees are now expected to read, write, and communicate…

In order to become a professional wildlife manager, one must make several choices in order to reach their objectives. The first choice is to select a college that has a wildlife management program in place. For those interested in a two-year technical program, Southwest Texas Junior College is offering an applied science degree in wildlife…

Boston University's Program in Artisanry, begun in January 1975, blends the vocational, manual and artistic within a liberal arts system. Philosophy, staff, and curriculum are described for the craft school which has 73 majors who take one-third of their courses from the larger University. (JT)

Describes an Occupational Technology Curriculum, designed to meet the widely divergent needs of individuals already employed in industry or business who desire to upgrade a present skill or acquire a new one. The curriculum is structured so that half of the credits required for the associate degree are free electives and half are required core…