More than 70 percent of the students who access higher education in Washington do so first at a two-year institution. Washington's two-year colleges account for a higher percentage of public and private college student enrollments (49 percent) than in the United States in general (34 percent). The Higher Education Coordinating Board's (HECB)…

Discusses reasons for the continuing importance of transfer education. Examines the economic and organizational culture contexts of transfer. Describes a step-wise strategy colleges can use to design policies and programs for transfer. (DMM)

This paper examines recent efforts by community college educators to enhance the liberal arts in a curriculum which is increasingly dominated by career, compensatory, and community education programs. The paper first notes the decline of the transfer function at today's community colleges and argues that the liberal arts, if they are to survive,…

Traces the trend which shows occupational education replacing transfer education as the community college's major function in terms of credit enrollment, and discusses its implications for the labor market, societal views of education, and the future of community colleges. (AC)

Comparing data from two studies of community college transfer conducted 25 years apart, this report describes policies, programs, regulations, and practices governing relationships between two- and four-year colleges at state, regional, and local levels. The study that led to this report gathered information from 11 states on transfer admission,…

During the 1980's, two landmark transfer projects were funded by the Ford Foundation. The Urban Community College Transfer Opportunities Program (UCC/TOP) aspired to increase the number of minority students transferring to and succeeding at four-year institutions. Many of the practical strategies developed during participating colleges, such as…

Reviews literature appearing since 1985 on changing patterns of community college transfer, the current status of community college articulation, and areas for improvement in the transfer/articulation process. Includes a 21-item bibliography. (DMM)

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,…

Addresses five issues in community college education: continuity in learning, high school/college articulation, transfer of credits, lifespan learning, and human resource development. (DMM)

Proposes a new definition of transfer rate (i.e., number of transfers/total credit enrollment x 100) and a new way of measuring transfer effectiveness (i.e., number of students who transfer/number of students expected to transfer). (DMM)

Discusses three common misperceptions of community college transfer education. Considers the notions that a revitalized transfer function is destructive to vocationalism and perhaps to curricular comprehensiveness; that transfer education is elitist; and that professing ignorance can be a useful way of dealing with those investigating transfer…

Reviews enrollment data showing that in 1988-89, 33 percent of Arizona State University bachelor's degree graduates were transfer students from one or more of the Maricopa Community Colleges, though most did not transfer in a traditional linear pattern. Describes "swirling" patterns of concurrent enrollment, reverse transfer, etc.…

An analysis is presented of the position of American community colleges in the nation's educational system. First, background is presented on the historical development of the community college; forces contributing to the rise of higher education and the emergence of junior colleges; and the expansion of the role of two-year colleges to include…

The public junior college was conceived with an "open door" to give the disadvantaged high school graduate another chance to break the poverty cycle and the minority student an opportunity to extend his/her skills and career options. Since its inception in the early 1900's, the mission of the junior college has changed. The initial focus on…

Contests the assertion that vocational courses track students away from the baccalaureate. Sees a blurring distinction between vocational and transfer courses, contending that students may take "vocational" courses to transfer and "transfer" courses to prepare for jobs. Discusses the ad hoc nature of student attendance and course-taking patterns.…