Offers an overview of trends and issues in student tracking, including methods of collecting data, determining which data should be gathered, obtaining follow-up data, and using results to inform decisions about institutional planning and improvement. (DMM)

Summarizes the findings of three government reports dealing with the associate degree. Reports on trends in associate degree conferrals, fields of study in which degrees were awarded, economic benefits of the degree, and increased recognition of the degree. (DMM)

Explains the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges' research agenda. Underscores the need for better two-year college data. Summarizes the National Conference on Community College Research's conclusions regarding research needs in the areas of students' attributes, progress, and outcomes. (DMM)

Offers a literature review of available research on two-year college vocational students, focusing on students' characteristics, abilities, backgrounds, and objectives. Looks at ways vocational and transfer students differ. Contrasts the characteristics of students in different vocational programs. Discusses implications for further research. (DMM)

Contests the assertion that vocational courses track students away from the baccalaureate. Sees a blurring distinction between vocational and transfer courses, contending that students may take "vocational" courses to transfer and "transfer" courses to prepare for jobs. Discusses the ad hoc nature of student attendance and course-taking patterns.…

Suggests steps in planning and managing student tracking systems: build support, determine the system's purpose, inventory available student data, identify information gaps, consider a small prototype, make tracking ongoing, and use the system. Reviews potential problems during implementation. Cites further sources of information. (DMM)

A wide gap exists between available information on community college students and the questions which are often posed about them. Since most available data focus on cross-sectional measures of enrollment and degrees awarded, they provide few insights into what happens to students who enter the colleges. The question-and-answer gap owes its…

Today's outcomes assessment movement places great expectations on a college's ability to generate longitudinal data on student flow and achievement. Though computers and data managers will play an important role in meeting these expectations, outcomes assessment is not just a data collection task. Its success depends on how clearly the goals of…

Reviews ERIC literature focusing on: (1) community college part-time faculty; (2) open door admissions policies; (3) retrenchment and its effect on program quality; and (4) differential salaries for faculty. Includes an extensive bibliography. (AYC)

Discusses faculty professionalism from institutional, scholastic, classroom research, and pedagogical frames of reference. Stresses importance of defining two-year college faculty as professionals. Identifies two barriers to developing faculty culture: treating the above frames of references as mutually exclusive and regarding colleges in terms of…