This study explores the factors, attributes, and commitment that contribute to African American adult student success, retention, and completion in the community college environment. This study explores what factors contribute to African American student retention as opposed to those factors that serve as deficit; literature abounds with reasoning…

This study tested the extent to which student interaction with faculty, student peer teaching situations, student organization involvement, and discussion with diverse others contributed to self-reported learning for students involved in an ethnic-specific or multicultural student organization. The Community College Student Experiences…

Data from the Community College Student Experiences Questionnaire were analyzed for a sample of 315 Black women attending community colleges. Specifically, we conducted multivariate analyses to assess the relationship between background traits, commitments, engagement, academic performance, and satisfaction for Black women at community colleges.…

The purpose of this study is to answer the call of the National Endowment for the Arts (2011), and various other arts-related organizations, for extensive research on the ability of the fine and performing arts to improve the quality of life for those who participate in them. Guided by C. Robert Pace's theory of quality of student effort, this…

Prior research has largely examined determinants of student satisfaction in four-year institutions and faculty job satisfaction in two-year institutions. The present study investigated the relationship between background traits, initial commitments, and satisfaction among African Americans attending two-year community colleges. Findings reveal…

The purpose of this study was to associate Astin's (1999) theory of student involvement and Tinto's (1993) theory of student departure as a framework for assessing and understanding the relationships among student involvements, academic performances, rates of retention, and rates of departure for African-American students enrolled at 3 rural…

The authors begin this chapter by revisiting Astin, Panos, and Creager (1967), who developed a conceptual scheme to guide the selection of various types of measurements organized by three dimensions: (1) type of outcome; (2) type of data; and (3) time. In assessing basic skills, general education, and attainment of the major, the focus is on…

The assessment of student learning outcomes in integrated courses is particularly challenging. This article reviews a range of assessment studies conducted over two decades by a community college that requires integrated Learning Communities for the transfer degree. This review highlights methodologies, findings, and lessons learned from these…

A study of construct validity of the eight Quality of Effort scales resulting from the Community College Student Experiences Questionnaire in its 1990-94 administrations found the scales can be used to make valid and reliable inferences regarding students' efforts and involvement, and the validity is not conditional on vocational or transfer…

Describes a study using the Community College Student Experiences Questionnaire to determine the relationship between students' quality of effort and estimated gains in knowledge in college. Reports that participation in academic activities was a more important predictor of students' perceived academic achievement than participation in social…

Examines whether community college students of differing ethnic backgrounds vary in their perceptions of growth and development as a function of their college. Finds that little variability of gains in such areas as career preparation and personal and social development can be attributed to ethnic differences. (24 citations) (VWC)

Discusses the use of the Community College Student Experiences Questionnaire to gather information about learners' responses to an institution's educational environment. Suggests that this information can add an important dimension to college outcomes assessment and help determine the impact of the educational experience on students. (MAB)

Describes a study of the impact of involvement in campus and learning activities on unit completion for 475 students entering a suburban community college immediately following high school. Reports that library research, transfer-related counseling, and participation in art, music, and theater activities contributed to unit completion. (DMM)

Describes the development, structure, and potential uses of the Community College Student Experiences Questionnaire (CCSEQ), a student self-report instrument that provides information about students' academic and social integration into the community college setting. Provides CCSEQ data from 478 students attending selected community colleges in…

For the past 6 years, Virginia's Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) has distributed the Community College Student Experiences Questionnaire (CCSEQ) to graduating students to determine their perceptions of the college environment and their experiences. For the graduating class of 1995, 255 questionnaires were distributed, resulting in usable…