Reviews research on the baccalaureate attainment of community college transfer students, suggesting that low rates are due primarily to problems in the transfer process. Describes a dual admissions program at New Jersey's Rutgers University, which guarantees junior status to community college students who fulfill requirements. Reports preliminary…

Argues that problem-based learning, which stresses relevant learner issues and allows for the flexibility of the situation and the learners in the classroom, can be used to better prepare students for the workplace. Presents the five steps the process takes students through--engagement, inquiry, solution building, debriefing and reflection, and…

Asserts that well-designed course assignments are a critical component of effective teaching and learning processes. Discusses the Course Assignment Framework, which delineates 10 assignment categories, their rationales, and their advantages for faculty and students. States that the framework promotes combining tasks so that instructors can…

Discusses attitudes of faculty toward students, using results from four studies. Reports that, on a variety of measures, teachers expressed dissatisfaction with the academic preparation and quality of their students. Adds that, in spite of these findings, the majority of faculty were satisfied with their relationships with students. (Contains 11…

Third in a series of columns focusing on teaching students to think critically, this column provides three templates useful in helping students practice analyzing and assessing the logic of a text. Discusses how to analyze an article, essay, or chapter; comprehend the logic of a textbook; and evaluate an author's reasoning. (NB)

Discusses a hierarchy of concerns tutors can use in working with ESL writers. Suggests that the student's understanding of the assignment, development of a thesis, logical organization, and fully developed ideas all supplant minor issues, such as improper use of the definite article or subject/verb agreement. (NB)

Offers several explanations for the development of community colleges, describes their clientele and mission, and discusses current shortcomings. Recommends changes to encourage program completion or transfer into four-year programs while maintaining open access. (DM)

Presents research findings on community colleges' success in obtaining corporate and foundation funds; the characteristics of donors to community colleges; reasons community colleges do not begin fund-raising programs; and characteristics and models of successful programs. Discusses implications for practical applications. (DMM)

Describes a study which used scales based on Rotter's social learning theories to predict absenteeism among community college students. Only two variables were significantly related to avoidable absences: high concern for grades was related to high absenteeism and belief in the importance of attendance for learning was related to low absenteeism.…

Surveyed 53 delinquents, 141 high school students, 87 community college students, 81 alcohol distribution establishments, and 92 members of law enforcement community in Harford County, Maryland, to examine perceived and actual illicit alcohol procurement methods of underage persons. Found that majority of alcohol procurement by underage persons…

Discusses ways to motivate students to participate in and take assessment efforts seriously. Indicates that a strong institutional commitment to testing, administrative support of assessment, integration of testing into the curriculum, student and faculty participation in testing operations, and reporting test results are major factors in…

Discusses the special challenges to community college assessment programs posed by linguistic, cultural, religious, and ethnic diversity in student populations. Provides an overview of important considerations for developing assessment activities. Describes the efforts of North Seattle Community College to address these considerations. (MAB)

Assesses the impact of tuition increases and the amount of student aid awards on the academic persistence of traditional college students. Suggests that these students are sensitive to tuition changes and that available grants are unable to mitigate the negative impact of tuition increases on persistence. (22 citations). (MAB)

A study investigated the relationship between learning style (visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic) and class attendance in 74 2-year college students in their first quarter. Although no statistically significant relationships were found, the only positive correlation between attendance and learning style was among kinesthetic…

Describes the author's experiences during the 1970s while he was a graduate student; at that time, he knew almost nothing about community colleges. Presents a profile of the author's institution, Westchester Community College in New York, and the faculty search process that the college now uses. (PA)