This expanded issue of the Research Review examines six alternatives to current patterns in the community college. In the first article, the authors offer guidelines for formulating institution-building capabilities, developing curricula, and designing a Personal Development program according to a Life Skills Education model. The second paper discusses verifiable objectives in terms of theories of instruction, management, and motivation. The third paper discusses a theory that allows for flexibility and stimulates autonomous decision making on the part of administrators, community, students, and faculty. The fourth article points out that, despite the "open-door" commitment of 2-year colleges, their curricula lead to a closed system of limited space, measured time, rigidity, and narrowly fixed teaching procedures. The fifth article is a discussion of alternative enrollment-attendance patterns. Moving from the special focus on students to a proposal for faculty, students, and community people, the final article makes a strong plea for a radical redefinition of the school. (Author/CA)