In an effort to provide the people of Iowa with a clearer sense of the needs for improvement in the state's 15 public community colleges, this report examines problem areas and causes and presents recommendations for improving educational quality. First, a discussion is provided of four key problem areas identified through a survey of over 1,000 faculty members and subsequent focus group discussions, including: (1) teaching conditions, such as increases in enrollment, expanding curricula, lack of adequate funding, an increase in students drawn from the third quartile of ability, overworked faculty, use of part-time faculty, and limited facilities and equipment; (2) leadership and governance, discussing such problems as inconsistent and inexperienced leadership, faculty members failing to raise issues of quality, declining standards, and the inability of colleges to commit to decentralization; (3) the community college mission, highlighting confusion in redefining the mission and concerns about economic development and partnerships with business; and (4) the lack of opportunities for professional development. For each area, recommendations for improvement are listed. Causes of these problems are then examined, indicating that many are chronic, having existed in the colleges for 20 years, and are similar to those experienced by public K-12 education. Finally, suggestions for statewide action are made, including adequate financial support, pilot programs to improve governance, support for mentor programs, and the creation of five autonomous college districts. (MAB)