Many states are experimenting with mechanisms for making college more affordable while maintaining quality and access. This report examines promising or innovative state programs to improve college affordability and credential attainment. Many of these approaches show innovative thinking and bear watching to see if they result in meaningful…

This report explores the demographics of community college students and how they compare to those in other sectors of higher education. Next, it reviews the common reasons undergraduate students stop their studies or drop out. The report then examines technology-enhanced education in community colleges and presents several case studies showing how…

All "open" schools have one principle in common; they represent efforts to expand the freedoms of learners. Some features characteristic of open education are the involvement of more people, more part-time learners, a curriculum relevant to life, and a broadening of the learning environment. Emphasis is on the learner with a diminishing…

The Institute for Personal and Career Development (IPCD) provides graduate level instruction in a number of disciplines to groups of individuals who might otherwise not be able to obtain a graduate education. IPCD attempts to provide an alternate program that meets the needs of these individuals by emphasizing controls which would promote more…

The University Without Walls program at Hofstra University was approved as an experimental unit within New College in 1973. The UWW program is competency-based, with students developing individual programs of study. Educational plans and prior learning from college and life experience are stated in learning contracts with short- and long-term…

The Community College of Vermont (CCV), which was established in 1970, is described. CCF is a community-based, competency-based college without a campus directed primarily to adults who previously have found access to postsecondary education to be difficult. Classes are offered in various types of locations in the community, and instructors are…

The increased interest in lifelong learning has presented a challenge that higher education institutions are meeting with three interrelated developments: New degrees, academic credit for experience, and programs for older people. A variety of new degrees are described, including the extension degree offered to part-time students taking off-campus…

A project was undertaken at Kirkwood Community College to develop a full-time and part-time competency based program to educate water and wastewater treatment plant operators. First, a survey was conducted to identify the job tasks performed by the operators, their frequency, importance, and necessity. A questionnaire listing 651 tasks divided…