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JUST RELEASED:
Keeping America's Promise: A Report on the Future of the Community College
edited by Katherine Boswell and Cynthia D. WilsonCommunity colleges are the critical access points of higher education and economic opportunity for half of the nation’s college students. A new ECS/League for Innovation in the Community College report shows, however, that while these institutions are affordable and effective, they are undervalued and underfunded. Reduced state financing and shifts in financial aid policies are sending well over a quarter million prospective students each year away from the nation’s community colleges. The report looks at the changing characteristics of the student population, the escalating demand for postsecondary education, the gaps among groups in educational access and attainment, and the implications for community colleges. (2 MB download)
Access and Enrollment
Enrollment Policies and Student Access at Community Colleges
by Daniel J. PhelanExamines the threats to community colleges' historic role as the "open-door" to postsecondary education and what options state policymakers have as they seek a 21st-century solution to enrollment management. (File size: 635KB)
Community College Baccalaureate Degree
Community College Baccalaureate Degrees: A Delivery Model for the Future?
by Amy CookExamines how students and postsecondary education as a whole would be affected if community colleges were to offer baccalaureate degrees. (File size: 476KB)
Dual/Concurrent Enrollment
Building Bridges Not Barriers: Public Policies that Support Seamless K-16 Education
by Katherine BoswellState leaders are calling for the creation of seamless K-16 systems that allow students to move more smoothly between traditional elementary and secondary schools into higher education. They are calling for greater collaboration on teacher education and professional development, the creation of academic standards and the adoption of technology across systems. Because K-12 and postsecondary systems traditionally are governed by different agencies, the creation of such integrated systems will require external policy leadership at the state level. This paper discusses the issues and possible solutions to this challenge. (File size: 51KB)
Faculty Roles and Productivity
Enhancing Faculty Productivity: A State Perspective
by James Palmer
A policy discussion of the challenges policymakers face in confronting issues related to faculty productivity in higher education, including the growing use of part-time adjunct faculty. The paper discusses guidelines or incentives available to policymakers with examples of state responses to these issues. PS-98-4W; 8 pages; $4. (File size: 413KB)
Finance
State Funding for Community Colleges: A 50-State Survey
Presents the results of the ECS 50-state study of community college finance, addressing topics such as uses of state funding formulae for community colleges, state and local funding for general operations, enrollment funding and tuition and fees policy, state support for specialized programs and state accountability measures. (File size: 512 KB)
Remedial/Developmental Education
Remediation: A Must for the 21st Century Learning Society
by Milton SpannExplores community colleges function of remediating academic and process skill deficiencies, including whether it delivers a return on investment. (File size: 451KB)
State Policies on Community College Remedial Education: Findings from a National Survey
by Davis Jenkins and Katherine BoswellAs "open-door" institutions, community colleges have long had to educate students who are not prepared for college-level work. This report presents findings from a survey of state higher education leaders on policies the various states have established to guide and support remedial education at community colleges.
Rural Community Colleges
Rural Community Colleges: Catalysts for Economic Renewal
by Sarah Rubin and George Autry
A policy discussion of state policy that can encourage rural community colleges to become more effective agents for economic development, broad access to education and workforce training. The paper presents options available to state policymakers concerned about strengthening rural colleges in their economic development roles. PS-98-3W; 8 pages; $4. (File size: 406KB)
Shared Governance
Shared Governance in Community Colleges
by Richard L. Alfred
A policy discussion on shared decisionmaking or participatory governance at community colleges. The paper discusses the context of the issue at two-year institutions, provides perspectives on the advantages and disadvantages of "shared" governance, identifies related policy implications and suggests key questions policymakers should ask when considering issues related to participatory governance policies. PS-98-6W; 8 pages; $4. (File size: 394KB)
Student Retention and Completion
Fostering Student Retention and Success at the Community College
by James Palmer
A discussion of policy options states can employ to emphasize that a concern for access should be matched by a concern for student retention at state community colleges. The paper discusses relevant data requirements and various forms of policy leverage that states can use to improve student outcomes and persistence to graduation. PS-98-7W; 8 pages; $4. (File size: 446KB)
Technology
Technology Planning: State and System Issues
by James R. Mingle and Sandra S. Ruppert
A policy discussion designed to help state- and system-level policymakers plan wisely and invest strategically, given the changing landscape of today's economy, in postsecondary education uses of information technology. The paper addresses five issues that states will need to address in playing a leadership role in fostering innovation and technological advances. PS-98-8W; 12 pages; $4. (File size: 588KB)
Transfer/Articulation
Improving Articulation Policy to Increase Transfer
by Tronie Rifkin
A discussion of articulation and transfer policies and practices at the state and institutional levels that will assure efficient use of public funds and foster education and social equity for those persons undertaking their postsecondary education at a community college. PS-98-2W; 8 pages; $4. (File size: 394KB)
Welfare Reform
Welfare Reform: Creating Opportunities or Increasing Obstacles?
by Michael Allen
A policy discussion of the impact of welfare reform legislation on community colleges and an examination of how state policies either can maximize the opportunities of welfare recipients to advance their education or create additional obstacles. PS-98-9W; 8 pages; $4. (File size: 396KB)
Workforce Development
Community Colleges: Connecting the Poor to Good Jobs
by Davis Jenkins and Joan Fitzgerald
A discussion of the mechanisms available to state and local policymakers that will encourage community colleges to realize their potential in providing the training necessary to connect poor youth and adults to well-paying jobs with a future. The paper explores the policy options available and questions that policymakers may want to consider, and identifies connections to related issues that may affect the success of such programs. PS-98-5W; 8 pages; $4. (File size: 401KB)State Policies on Community College Workforce Development: Findings from a National Survey
By Davis Jenkins and Katherine BoswellNo other institution provides as broad a range of education and training for employment as do community colleges. This report presents findings from a survey of state higher education leaders on policies the various states have established to guide and support workforce development programs at community colleges.
Contact the ECS Distribution Center at jivey@ecs.org;
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