Examines the fit between college outcomes assessment designed to assess specific qualitative outcomes and community colleges' diverse clientele, pointing to a disjuncture of methods and motives. Foresees the possibility of two-year colleges' changing their structure, organization, and academic expectations in response. (30 references) (MAB)

Explores the use of local area networks (LAN's) in learning laboratories and how they are improving learning outcomes for certain student populations (e.g., deaf and developmental students). Describes how LAN's alter the instructor's role and how instructors can manage student-driven classrooms. Offers guidance on implementing a network system.…

Reviews questions to consider when providing academic advising in two-year colleges, addressing student academic requirements, transfer and degree interests, certainty of plans, time, financial resources, and parental or other external pressures. Discusses advisement strategies, including goal setting, decision-making techniques, and group…

Discusses a survey of nonreturning students at Cuyamaca College (California), distinguishing between positive attrition (successful nonreturners) and negative attrition (unsuccessful nonreturners). Compares two groups in terms of goals, employment, satisfaction with college, high school performance, gender, and ethnicity. Recommends…

A study investigated differences in epistemological beliefs among junior college (n=116) and university (n=76) students and among technology and social science majors. Other student demographic and background variables were considered. Results suggest colleges should consider epistemological beliefs as factors in academic achievement, attrition,…

Describes Prince George's Community College's Black and Minority Student Retention Programs, focusing on enrollment patterns, initial retention efforts, program objectives, support services provided, selection criteria for students, and the mentoring component. Traces program growth and presents evaluation results. (DMM)

Provides a literature review on community college services to older adults, focusing on studies of this population's needs (e.g., personal business and financial information, employment needs, physical fitness training, and maintaining self-esteem and a sense of the purpose and meaning in life) and courses and services that colleges offer. (DMM)

Describes a national study of community college funding conditions at the state level, which ascertained whether individual institutions had implemented or were considering enrollment limitations resulting from budget shortfalls. Although a majority of states reported declining state support and increasing enrollments, few college leaders reported…

Argues for the importance of systematically studying the effects of community colleges on students. Research findings are reported on the following effects: attaining a bachelor's degree, labor market returns, economic returns, and developmental impact. Concludes that community colleges may be fostering student talent with the same degree of…

Describes a Northern Virginia Community College online course that was designed to assist students in learning about the structure of knowledge and the steps in the learning process. Asserts that the ability to understand, control, and direct one's own learning is essential to becoming an effective lifelong learner. Contains 16 references. (NB)

Describes a two-part study involving 125 minority female students, 14 faculty members and 35 textbooks that explored the kinds of images minority students found in their textbooks. Results indicated that the exclusion, omission, or misrepresentation through images directly impacted student learning as well as student career choices. (Contains 12…

Examines the perceptions of instructors and administrators regarding self-directed learning modules for adult and younger students, comparing the modules' perceived effectiveness, benefits, and challenges. Addresses the issue of personal freedom versus the need for focus and guidance, finding that adult learners reported no freedom versus focus…

Argues that quality of life is a vital measure when counseling students to determine their best educational pathways to success. Explains that a student's current life status and his/her projected future are useful tools for making recommendations for development and for instilling motivation. Urges college personnel to actively engage students in…

This chapter summarizes useful and relevant resources and information on the topic of serving minority populations in community colleges, and presents information about several programs and services that have been successful in ensuring minority student success.

Recent research indicates that college students who transfer from community colleges are significantly less likely to complete a 4-year college degree than students who begin at 4-year institutions. This paper estimates models of college completion for both types of students. Based on these results, an Oaxaca decomposition indicates that students…