ERIC Number: ED398943
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1996
Pages: 23
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
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Available Date: N/A
Perspectives and Perceptions: A Review of the Literature on the Use of Part-Time Faculty in Community Colleges.
Banachowski, Grace
Although part-time faculty are found in all of higher education, they are especially prevalent in two-year colleges, with a 1993 study finding that 65% of two-year college faculty were employed part-time. Since the 1980's, considerable research has been conducted on issues related to the use of part-time faculty in community colleges, such as their working conditions and needs and, most commonly, suggestions for improving part-time faculty instruction. Part-time faculty are employed for a variety of reasons, including to save institutions money, increase institutional flexibility regarding enrollment demands, and bring "real-world" experience to the classroom. However, critics of the use of part-timers argue that they harm full-time faculty by taking away full-time positions and jeopardize the integrity of the teaching profession since many part-timers are employed for their professional rather than their pedagogical skills. Much of the research that has been conducted makes reference to negative attitudes toward part-time faculty held by full-time faculty and administrators. However, there is little data in the research to support these attitudes, with several studies concluding that there is no difference in the quality of instruction delivered by full- and part-time faculty. Although attempts are being made to deter community colleges from employing part-time faculty, the colleges will suffer economically and pedagogically if these attempts are successful. Contains 50 references. (HAA)
Publication Type: Information Analyses; Opinion Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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