In November 1984, a random sample of Napa County residents was asked to complete a survey concerning the educational programs of Napa Valley College (NVC) to determine the extent to which NVC was meeting the county's educational needs. The survey was completed by 207 of the 400 community members in the sample. Study findings included the…

In fall 1982, a survey was conducted by the Center for the Study of Community Colleges to identify changes in two-year college humanities programs. Two survey instruments were sent to a random sample of 172 community and junior colleges, requesting information on humanities courses added to the curriculum from 1977 to 1982, interdisciplinary…

Practical information is provided, in a question and answer format, for community college officials who are planning to conduct a community needs assessment. A brief discussion of the usefulness of needs assessment surveys to the college planning process is followed by descriptions of eight steps to be followed in planning and conducting a survey:…

Reviews the literature on course attrition relevant to: factors contributing to course attrition, non-punitive grading, open entry/open exit courses, lack of non-credit options, reasons for withdrawal, curriculum areas with low course completion rates, programs and proposals for reducing attrition, evaluating non-credit students, and student…

Suggests that advisement program problems can be overcome through computer usage, especially in performing time-consuming clerical tasks. Discusses problems with academic advisement, types of information and services provided, and evaluation of computer-assisted advisement. (LL)

Reviews trends in community college academic support services, focusing on exemplary outreach programs; early and midterm intervention programs; referral systems; coordination of support services and subject area courses; identification of high-risk courses; and new funding approaches. (DMM)

The purpose of this project was to develop and disseminate interdisciplinary instructional materials that focus on human beings and their impact on nine environmentally important areas within the continental United States. Drafts of the instructional modules and mini-modules were prepared by interdisciplinary teams participating in two summer…

Analyses studies on job satisfaction of community college faculty measures used in the studies may have tapped different dimensions of satisfaction; a measure of general job satisfaction (the better predictor of desire to stay at job) was found to be relatively independent of a measure of specific work-activity satisfaction. (Author/AC)

Examines major findings of a nationwide survey of community college instructors conducted to assess teaching practices in the sciences. Survey findings cover enrollment and completion rates; use of instructional media, assignments, reading requirements, knowledge tested, grading practices, support services; use of out-of-class activities; and…

Although community colleges have made significant strides in assessing student learning outcomes, there are a number of significant challenges that need to be addressed in order to realize fully the anticipated benefits of these efforts. This chapter identifies these major challenges and provides specific suggestions that can be used by community…

In winter 1983, a survey of Napa Valley College (NVC) graduates was conducted to determine the percentage of 1983-84 graduates who achieved their goal by the time they left NVC; graduate satisfaction with instructional quality and with the overall quality of NVC; graduate satisfaction with employment or transfer preparation; employment patterns;…

During the 1970's the increase in the proportion of faculty teaching part-time has been dramatic. The percentage of part-time faculty has risen from 40% in 1971 to 56% in 1977. The rationale for hiring part-time rather than full-time faculty is based on the premises that substantial sums of money can be saved and curriculum scheduling and…

Reviews research on community college students' enrollment in and completion of liberal arts courses. Examines reasons for enrolling or not enrolling in various courses; the characteristics of students who avoid liberal arts courses; the curriculum's potential for inhibiting liberal arts enrollment; and steps to promote enrollment and success.…

Based on interviews with honors program administrators at six community college districts, discusses reasons for initiating honors programs; benefits for students, faculty, and colleges; admissions criteria; scholarships; and course options (e.g.,interdisciplinary courses, in-class honors options, speakers' programs, and extra-course activities).…

Discusses cooperative school-college programs with respect to academic preparations of high school students, strengthening program articulation, heightening high school student interest in liberal arts education, and increasing the number of academically gifted students attending community colleges. Recommends increasing cooperative efforts to…