Describes Joliet Junior College's Academic Skills Center, which employs an open-lab concept to provide student referral services. Examines the use of diagnostic testing to identify specific skill deficiencies and the development of 19 multi-lesson learning modules to address identified problems. Explains student record-keeping procedures and…

Underscores the problems of misunderstanding and misrepresentation in competency-based education (CBE). Proposes a definition of CBE, acknowledging that it must be adapted to individual colleges. Offers a rationale for adopting a CBE framework and provides an inventory model to facilitate the assessment of the quality of a CBE program. (CAM)

Assesses traditional ideas about remedial instruction, discussing common disjunctions between stated intent and practice in student assessment and program design. Sees skill development as a sequential process that needs to be conducted in an academic, subject-oriented context and to be related to students' academic goals. (AYC)

Identifies behaviors exhibited by students who are victims of learned helplessness and discusses the application of coaching techniques to teach these students to take control of their learning. Details the components of coaching, including active student participation, small sequential learning units, corrective feedback, and attention-getting…

Cites references from the ERIC junior colleges collection dealing with community college women. Topics covered include career options for women within a community college setting, educational equity, occupational education, female trustees, and needs of and services for female students. (CAM)

Highlights approaches to improving student retention used at the Agricultural and Technical College at Delhi, NY. Describes the formation and activities of a fact-finding task force and of an ongoing student retention planning and steering committee. (CAM)

Since the introduction of the 40/60 policy, community colleges have had a great impact on the higher education system of New York State. The increasing size of the community college transfer cohort should not alter spatial patterns of enrollment at four year colleges and universities in the State University system. (Author/BEF)

Details a study which contrasts the preference of older students for a more traditional learning environment with that of younger students for an environment conducive to greater interaction. Advocates matching instructional styles with learning styles, especially with regard to these age differences. (DD)

A study investigated how long it takes Frostburg State University (Maryland) (FSU) commuter students to drive to courses and how long they were willing to commute to pursue their educational goals. Students and graduates of two local two-year colleges, potential matriculants at FSU, were also asked how long they were willing to drive. Little…

Offers references for information literacy in the community college. Information literacy includes the ability to access, evaluate, and use information from a variety of sources, such as libraries and computers. Presents 13 annotated references that include descriptions of recent research and standards related to information literacy. (NB)

Provides an integration of the research literature on the nature and effectiveness of student notetaking/reviewing options in college classes. Addresses cognitive and behavioral skills involved in notetaking, the predictive potential of notetaking, student characteristics related to notetaking effectiveness, and instructional strategies. (Contains…

Reviews literature on transfer shock, or decreases in grade point average experienced by students who transfer from two- to four-year colleges. Describes a study of the academic performance of 100 transfer students by academic division, finding decreases for math and business majors but not for students in other fields. (19 citations) (AJL)

With statistical controls for confounding influences, including precollege learning orientations, attendance at a two-year versus four-year college had modest but significant positive effects on student growth in first- and second-year Openness to Diversity, second-year Learning for Self-Understanding, and first-year Internal Locus of Attribution…

Describes a study of community college students attending a City Colleges of Chicago campus, who received high grades through diligent study rather than high aptitude. Interviews conducted with 26 students revealed that participation in learning, review/restudy, selectivity in classes and teachers, and planning were responsible for students'…

Describes a research paper assignment requiring community college students to locate several reviews on a theatrical production and, using critics' opinions as evidence, write a paper to convince readers that they should or should not see that particular show. Offers a rationale for the assignment based on student characteristics and needs. (DMM)