For more than 20 years, distance education has provided an option for prospective special education teachers to achieve licensure and a graduate degree. The program began as a two-way interactive television endeavor located at area community college sites. Over time, the program evolved to include online coursework with synchronous class meetings.…

This year's report examines the critical role community plays in education. Integrating learning that takes place inside and outside of school has always been a powerful strategy to support student success, but it gained special relevance this year, as school closures made family and community members integral parts of students' daily learning.…

Research shows that students who participate in dual enrollment are more likely than their peers to finish high school, enter college and complete a degree. This means dual enrollment can greatly benefit students in rural areas, which report lower college-going and postsecondary attainment rates than other locales. However, rural areas face unique…

Over the past decade, online courses and entire online degree programs have been made available, serving millions of students in higher education. These online courses largely have been designed and taught using the theoretical concepts and practical strategies of Asynchronous Learning Networks (ALN). During 2003-04, approximately two million…

Describes the Distance Education Center at Frederick Community College (FCC), including its change in focus from supporting online baccalaureate students to increasing enrollment and success in FCC's online courses. Also discusses two evaluative surveys of the program, including issues such as high withdrawal rates and uncertainty about students'…

This chapter recounts Oregon community colleges' challenges and successes in developing a statewide distance learning consortium.

In the U.S., only 38 of every 100 ninth graders enroll in college; of these 38, only 18 complete bachelors' degrees within six years. Asynchronous learning networks (ALN)--asynchronous, highly interactive, instructor-led, resource-rich, cohort-based learning--can yield high success rates. Growing demand for online education and the expectation…

Describes an instructional telecommunications system in use at Kirkwood Community College, which provides 60 hours of live educational programming weekly to over 20 locations through an interactive delivery system. Looks at ways Kirkwood is providing ready access to a variety of learning resources to off-campus learners. (DMM)

Describes how Austin Community College in Austin, Texas uses information technology (IT) to leverage existing resources, develop solutions, and enhance academic offerings while focusing on their diverse community of students. Discusses organization of IT divisions and committees, distance learning efforts, network infrastructure, integration of…

Explains John Wood Community College's (JWCC's) common market approach to educational cooperation, which allows students to access higher education at participating area colleges via educational service contracts. Considers the growth of JWCC and its institutional linkages. Offers a checklist of key activities for community-based contract…

Describes distance learning programs offered by the LeCroy Center of Texas' Dallas County Community College District. Discusses telecourses; the Dallas College Network, offering live courses via cable television; the Global Learning Network computer network; teleconferences; STARLINK, a professional development program; contract services; and K-12…

Approximately 85 educators from six states participated in a regional conference designed to showcase exemplary and collaborative programs to overcome many of the barriers faced by rural adults in pursuing higher education. After the keynote address, "The Role of Adult Learning in Revitalizing Rural Communities," by Cornelia Butler Flora, the…

Considers ways in which telecommunications can ameliorate the staffing crises of small colleges. Describes West Virginia Northern Community College's efforts to serve remote instructional sites using an interactive telecommunications system. Reviews the college's problem, the design and installation of equipment, and selection and training of…

Considers the types of distance education currently available through two-year colleges and the learning resources center (LRC) services needed to support distance education. Presents a model for providing LRC services to extension sites based on a program developed at Austin Community College. (DMM)

Based on descriptions submitted to a national panel on exemplary Distance Education (DE) programs, this monograph describes state-of-the-art DE programs at 16 community colleges. First, an introduction reviews the history of DE systems and DE in community colleges, describes the importance of revising curricula for distance delivery, discusses…