Research conducted as to the feasibility of establishing Alternate Cooperative Education in 11- or 12-week, quarter-system, 2-year colleges, as well as to provide a replicable model for conducting research as to implementing an ACE program, is described. Cooperative education is defined as an academic program that provides learning for students through real-life experiences with businesses, agencies, and companies in the community. In Part 1 of the report--ACE Findings: Faculty, Employers, Students, Articulation--information about faculty, employers, students, and colleagues at senior institutions is discussed. The findings suggest that support existed for full-time, short-term paid and creditable field learning experiences among all the groups. In Part 2, ACE Recommendations, recommendations of the ACE Task Force and recommendations, based on research findings, for ACE implementation and long-range program development are provided. Part 3, Background Information and Appendixes, contains information related to cooperative education in California community colleges, Foothill Community College District, ACE research strategy and activities, a survey of 2-year alternate cooperative education programs, and a survey of exemplary Ohio and Washington cooperative education programs, and provides program information and sample forms. (DB)