In January 2011, the California Community Colleges Board of Governors formed a task force to chart a roadmap for system-wide focus on student success. The task force identified best practices and designed evidence-based recommendations to ensure student success is a driving theme in colleges. This comprehensive plan, known as the Student Success…

Strong enrollments in career programs have led many to conclude that occupational training is, and should be, the premier function of a community college--a belief that is supported by the ways in which community colleges are funded. Though strong technical programs are an important part of what urban community colleges offer to their students,…

Designed as a forum for the exchange and dissemination of ideas and viewpoints of California community college faculty, this journal offers six brief articles on various aspects of 2-year college education. In "Academic Standards and the Open Door," Leon Baradat asserts that community colleges must reverse the trend toward decreased…

Increased national attention to the quality of education has resulted in a more critical examination of the community college transfer function. This concern for transfer has been precipitated by several factors: (1) the declining percentage of community college students who transfer; (2) the growth of the community services, vocational, and…

Discusses admissions policies, retention standards, degree requirements, and transfer credits as they relate to articulation between two- and four-year colleges. Addresses the historical mission of the junior college, the open-door policy, the transition from junior to community colleges, remediation, retention and transfer, and the importance of…

In this address, the Chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District considers the major issues and challenges facing the District and its faculty, staff, and students. The Chancellor first identifies educational quality, especially within transfer programs, as a major challenge facing the colleges. He cites research findings revealing…

The proportion of community college students transferring to a four-year institution dropped considerably during the 1970's and early 1980's, a situation leading to accusations that the colleges do not prepare their students sufficiently well for transfer. However, several other factors have an influence on transfer rates. The fact that most…

Discusses the review of California's master plan for higher education by a state blue-ribbon commission. Reviews the commission's recommendations concerning the community college curriculum, student progress, transfer programs, governance, and accountability. Considers the work of the commission a reflection of a new alliance between faculty and…

Discussions about whether to implement associate degrees in British Columbia (Canada) date back to the mid-1970's, with the debate focusing on transfer arrangements and the viability of community college diplomas. One of the first acts of the British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfer, created in 1988, was the recommendation to create an…

In an effort to increase access to education and set up a comprehensive qualification framework, Hong Kong's Education Commission made key recommendations to the government in May 2000. Those recommendations included the development of a diversified, multi-channel, multi-layer higher education system. Three of Hong Kong's higher education…

To date, community colleges have used two major approaches to manage transfer and assist students with a successful transfer experience: a "student service" approach, concentrating on counseling, advising, catalog information exchange, and other student affairs functions; and a "document" model, relying on articulation agreements, course…

Explores causes of the qualitative and quantitative diminution of community college transfers, including structural causes best addressed through accreditation. Considers the scope of accreditation and policies and practices of specialized and regional agencies. Argues that accreditation can influence general education, faculty qualifications,…

The excellent academic reputation enjoyed by the undergraduate division of the University of California (UC) is threatened by the decline in the number of community college transfer students and by their relatively poor academic performance. Contributing to this problem are five educational trends expected to continue into the 1980's: (1) the…

Positions taken by the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) on selected topics are traced over the years 1969 through 1982. Chronological listings of ASCCC positions are provided for the following topics as compiled in 1980: academic standards, accreditation, credit and noncredit course policy, general education, grade policy,…

In an attempt to stimulate discussion on directions and priorities for the California community colleges (CCC), this monograph examines six issues likely to affect the colleges during the 1980's. The monograph first reviews recent literature pointing to an erosion of the colleges' transfer, vocational, and general education functions and then…