Educational reform in the United States is perpetually evolving. Much of the recent reforms have concentrated on high-stakes testing and assessment, but a parallel effort has been emerging in the field of vocational and career education. Prompted partly by federal legislation--most recently by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act…

In Texas, as in other states, fewer than a quarter of the students earning associate degrees end up applying to universities. The eventual result is widespread underemployment and a stagnating work force that doesn't keep up with population growth. However, Texas educators are trying to change that with two ambitious programs--one aimed at college…

This article provides a synopsis of how articulation agreements serve postsecondary education institutions and their constituents, provides an overview on the types of agreements, and discusses some of the issues associated with development of these agreements. The following questions frame the narrative: As community colleges grew in number and…

Defines "collegiate function,""articulation,""general education," and "liberal arts." Traces the historical development of the community college transfer function. Describes three types of state-sponsored articulation programs. Discusses university faculty perceptions of two-year institutions, and community college faculty perceptions of their own…

Discusses the importance of databases and information systems in efforts to examine the interinstitutional transfer of credits, courses, curricula, and students. Highlights the achievements of selected states and institutions in developing systems to monitor student flow and academic performance and to evaluate and enhance transfer/articulation…

Describes the approach to articulation and transfer being used among Pennsylvania's two- and four-year institutions and its two basic principles: to protect the integrity of the associate degree and to ensure the equitable treatment of transfer students. Describes how dual admissions arrangements facilitate interinstitutional cooperation. (DMM)

Examines Florida's articulation system in terms of governance and state coordination of K-12, community college and four-year college sectors; the Florida Administrative Code's rule on articulation and its effects on transfer, community colleges and high schools; and the future of articulation in the state. (DMM)

Describes a study of the effectiveness of the Colorado Core Transfer Program (CORE), or general education course requirements at all state community colleges. Indicates that students who completed CORE transferred more credits and completed courses at a higher rate than noncompleters, but that no significant differences in grades were found. (AJL)

Despite common beliefs that technical college students do not wish to, and cannot, transfer to four-year institutions, many studies have found the opposite to be true. Research shows that 26% of students enrolled in vocational programs intend to transfer to a baccalaureate institution, and occupational course credits from technical colleges are…