Three community colleges--El Paso Community College, Bunker Hill Community College, and Patrick Henry Community College--incorporated technology into the curriculum to support student progress in mathematics through developmental education. Each college took its own path: El Paso developed a self-accelerated emporium-style computer lab, Patrick…

This article describes the evolution and design of a model for college academic advising program development in response to changing student needs and institutional pressures. The model demonstrates that the phases of development are interrelated, that direction and degree of change vary by program, and that every program has multifaceted…

Reports on a study of in-school suspension programs in 322 North Central Association member junior high and middle schools. Reviews the literature and presents findings related to program development and school and program characteristics. Offers recommendations concerning counseling and academic components, parent involvement, and program…

This three-part guide presents information and recommendations from the Massachusetts Professional Development School Network Steering Committee on how to develop a professional development school (PDS) partnership. Part 1 defines the PDS concept, presents a brief background account of its evolution, and discusses its potential for simultaneously…

Developed for those actively involved with planning the future of two-year postsecondary educational institutions, this publication synthesizes information from the literature with the knowledge and practice in the field regarding the impact of the new adult majority. Chapter I summarizes the issues. Chapter II provides an overview of some of the…

The use of an integrated student information system (ISIS) to conduct institutional research at Trinity University is discussed. The types of data contained in the system, which has 59 files, include: student characteristics, recruitment, financial aid, registration, faculty load, and class scheduling. The data for students, faculty, departments,…

The article proposes that the key to tracking and evaluating the academic progress of college students, particularly at complex institutions, is development of a longitudinal tracking system with flexibility to support a diverse community of users and applications. Considerations for efficient maintenance and effective use of such a system are…

The costs of assessment, which was identified as a condition for achieving excellence in undergraduate education by the Study Group on the Conditions of Excellence in American Higher Education, are addressed. Two questions considered deal with (1) the unit of analysis and (2) what to count. The unit of analysis can be the individual student,…

This paper describes the model and process developed by the Connecticut education department to assist schools in improving their effectiveness. The report offers an operational definition of the term "effectiveness" and summarizes the research that provides the conceptual base for the model. The characteristics selected from this…

A survey of 17 registrars in colleges and universities using narrative evaluation of students instead of traditional grading investigated the types of institutions using the method, number of narratives generated, variations in form of narrative, history of the systems, methods of collecting and processing, control and limitations, costs, and…

A discussion of college student leadership retreats looks at the factors that should be considered in planning a retreat. These include the physical environment of the site, establishment of norms and expectations for the group, and demographic and personal characteristics of the participants that are likely to affect group interaction. (MSE)

The behavior of universities is considered from an economic perspective. It is assumed that both the administration and the faculty pursue goals consistent with their own self-interests. In addition to reviewing studies from other disciplines, the market in which institutions compete is described, and a formal model of the university as a…

In 1989, Germanna Community College (GCC) developed this comprehensive master plan to strengthen its planning process. Part I provides an overview of the development of the master plan, the mission statement of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), and the mission and purpose statements of GCC. Part II summarizes demographic trends based…

A study of 65 doctoral programs in higher education indicates disturbing trends: (1) mergers into larger academic units; (2) significant decline in student diversity among rather stable populations; and (3) retirement of most tenured faculty within 10 years. Despite continuity and stability overall, these changes suggest a need for unified…

This directory was developed in response to requests for information on alternative programs for dropouts and potential dropouts. The scope of the dropout problem in Iowa is defined. Presented are definitions of dropout prevention alternative programs as well as a detailed account of useful prevention approaches. The directory includes needs…