The job description for paraprofessionals is no longer limited to clerical responsibilities (e.g., recordkeeping, copying, cafeteria and bus duty). Paraprofessionals now support instruction and work under the direction and supervision of certified teachers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, paraprofessionals provide instructional and…

The experience of seven community college instructors was documented as they applied, for the first time, principles and characteristics of constructivist pedagogy to the design of learning activities. The instructors became a community of learners as they collaborated and shared their experiences among themselves. They reported improvements in…

Faculty development research historically reported details on the types of programming available and the format of delivery. This research instead sought to uncover the underpinnings of the goals behind development efforts at community colleges. Findings indicate that teaching and learning issues remain central, with faculty interests serving as…

This essay builds on and extends scholarly discussion of the role and functions of Institutional Research (IR), especially with regard to the community college. As institutional "conscience," the primary value of IR is assisting in the identification of organizational weaknesses and challenges and helping to convert weaknesses into strengths and…

To provide access to and retain both students of color and low-income students, community colleges must change to create environments in which all students can succeed. Change strategies must focus on the core mission of the institution and rely on data regarding the experiences of students at the institution. When student data are used to inform…

Drawing on previous chapters in the volume, this chapter identifies crosscutting themes and lessons for those engaged in the development and study of academic pathways. Particular attention is paid to the ways that pathways can increase opportunities for traditionally underserved students.

In Taiwan, technological and vocational education (TVE) is primarily offered in vocational high schools (VHS's), career programs in comprehensive high schools (CHSs), junior colleges of technology (JCTs), colleges of technology (CTs), and universities of technology (UTs), which prepare practical technical and managerial personnel for industry and…

The Louisiana Community and Technical College System submitted a new core grades 1-5 curriculum for an Associate of Science in Teaching degree program for individuals interested in pursuing a career in teaching. Candidates pursuing this degree must demonstrate mastery of core content knowledge in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and…

The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program is a diverse and dynamic set of projects intent on improving the USA's technical workforce. This book uses the ATE work as a means to focus on key issues for federally funded projects and all community colleges facing the difficult challenges of staying current…

Competence in written English is essential for success at work in the United States. For deaf and hard-of-hearing people, especially for those who do not use spoken language, the ability to express themselves in writing with competence assures clear communication with hearing people. However, learning how to do so presents challenges for both deaf…

Contrastive rhetoric provides tools that community college teachers need in order to understand the rhetorical forms that students from other cultures employ. Greater understanding of contrastive rhetoric can change the way that teachers interpret the difficulty linguistically different students may have in using conventional American academic…

Summative measures of learning collected at the conclusion of an associate or bachelor's degree program are insufficient to help educators and students maximize learning and personal development across the college years. Managing the desired outcomes of college requires an understanding of when learning and growth occur during the educational…

This paper presents the findings of the 2008 Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE). This year, CCSSE zeroes in on high expectations and high support as it presents the results of its 2008 survey. Both are critical to student success: Students do best when expectations are high "and" they receive support that helps them…

Although numerous quality ratings exist in today's media-centric environment (Money Magazine, and U.S. News and World Report, etc.), it is quite difficult to provide any reasonably meaningful estimates of institutional quality, either qualitative or quantitative. Global ratings of university "quality" abound, despite the fact that there…

This paper outlines the Commission's program review responsibilities called for in Senate Bill 724 (Scott). It also summarizes the Commission's existing responsibilities in the area of new program review. Senate Bill 724 would permit the California State University (CSU) to independently award the Doctor of Education Degree (Ed.D.) and includes…