In fall 1985, a study was conducted to assess the status and function of international education coursework at California community colleges, and the ethnographic characteristics of faculty and students teaching or enrolled in international education classes. Questionnaires were mailed to deans of instruction at California's 106 community…

English literature survey courses can and should be taught as part of junior and community college curriculums. However, since students in any one course may have different levels of learning and ability, it is important to structure courses so that students do not face tasks that they are unable to successfully complete. Teachers should be aware…

In April 1986, a survey was conducted at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) to provide students with the opportunity to evaluate the college's functions, services, and facilities, and to gather data to construct a profile of MATC students. Questionnaires were administered in class to 7,869 MATC students including 3,324 day students, 4,123…

Basic background information on college student attrition research studies is provided. This paper is divided into nine components that were prominent in the existing literature: (1) higher education and the concern for attrition; (2) factors involved in college student attrition; (3) demographic factors involved in college student attrition; (4)…

The "Guided Studies" program at a comprehensive community college was evaluated. The program was designed to restrict student course enrollment until academic deficiencies could be erased through successful completion of courses in developmental education. The persistence rates and academic performance of students placed in the program…

An overview is provided of problems and potential solutions associated with high dropout rates at community colleges. The first sections look at the extent and nature of the dropout problem, highlighting some of the causes of student discontinance, the costs to the individual and society, and the paradox of open access and student retention in…

This study was designed to determine the level of support among Saddleback College (California) students and faculty for maintaining the current exclusivity of the Mathematics Department in certifying student competence in mathematics as required for the associate degree. The study also identified current practices used by California community…

Designed to assist women attending Houston Community College (HCC) through periods of transition in their lives, this resource manual provides exercises and offers information related to retraining, self-assessment, and career redirection to help women find fulfilling careers. First, background is provided on HCC's Women's Support Services, an…

Designed to provide information of value in establishing a base for decisionmaking in the Yosemite Community College District (YCCD), this assessment atlas graphically presents statistical data on the District as a whole, its two campuses, and YCCD Central Services for 1982-83. After an introduction to the use of the assessment atlas and…

The status of English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction in Canada's community colleges is assessed in this report. Following an introduction to the concerns of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) with regard to ESL education, results are presented from a nationwide survey focusing on ESL programs, students, and teachers;…

An examination of enrollment data for 1973-74 through 1982-83 at Lane Community College (LCC) reveals the following trends: (1) the total 1982-83 full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment was slightly less than one-third above that for 1973-74; (2) the increase of non-credit FTE over the 10-year period was somewhat greater than that for credit…

In spring 1983, a study was conducted at Cerritos College to gain a better understanding of students who dropped all of their classes. The study involved exit surveys administered as part of the official drop process, exit surveys used during the graduation check process, and an analysis of institutional data on the personal and academic…

Projecting the prospects and possibilities for community colleges accurately is not an easy exercise due to the vulnerability of both internal and external conditions to unanticipated forces. One aspect of the community college that is particularly affected by external forces is enrollment. Enrollments are influenced by legislation, the decline in…

In 1987, the Barriers Project was initiated by Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology to engage 31 selected community colleges in Canada in an organized self-appraisal of institutional barriers to the enrollment of part-time credit students. From the outset, colleges were encouraged to limit their investigation to barriers over which…

In September 1984, a Vocational Education Data System (VEDS) follow-up survey was conducted of all 5,267 students who had graduated from Massachusetts public community colleges in 1982-83. Of these graduates, 1,881 (35.7%) returned the survey, and 3,386 (64.3%) did not. A subsequent study was conducted to compare the characteristics of survey…