Have you ever imagined yourself as a movie producer who could tell the stories of the remarkable successes in the field of visual impairment and blindness? With the right buildup music and the careful selection of a popular actor or a promising young ingenue (ideally, someone with a visual impairment), any one of these real-life stories could be a…

On the weekend of December 13, 2008, 4,000 House Meetings in our nation convened to plan service events. In Jacksonville, Florida, four such House Meetings were held. Of the four, two became official links in Organizing for America, President Obama's grassroots organization. Of the two, one strove to become a learning organization. At the heart of…

In 2007 the faculty at Miami Dade College joined the student body in signing a covenant "to build a foundation for the success of future students." The event capped a two-year effort on the part of the faculty to articulate the foundations of a 21st-century college education and codify them into 10 clear statements. However, creating a…

On March 1, 2009 from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Madison Hotel in Washington, DC, the National Science Foundation hosted a listening session, requesting input on Section 7033 of the America COMPETES (Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science) Act regarding Hispanic-serving institutions and science,…

Despite their accomplishments in providing practical and efficient programs to a wide spectrum of their communities, the roles and benefits of community colleges are frequently misunderstood or understated, leading to severe underfunding. Legislators and researchers use the number of associate degrees awarded as the sole indicator of the…

This article describes "We the People: Project Citizen Program," a curricular program for middle school students. "We the People" promotes competent and responsible participation in local and state government. Additionally, it helps young people learn how to monitor and influence public policy. Entire classes of students or…

In this study, we examine the role of academic preparation in the transition from community colleges to four-year institutions. We address two specific questions: To what extent do academically unprepared students transfer to four-year institutions? And, can positive experiences in community colleges diminish the role of inadequate academic…

This paper summarizes the discussion from a forum to explore a logical and feasible means by which South Florida could reach its carrying capacity and experience no further growth. The opening presentation explained the relationships among (1) the area's land, water, and natural ecosystems, (2) natural sources of energy and imported fuels, (3)…

This report provides a discussion of strategies for containing the costs of health insurance programs offered at Florida's community colleges. Introductory material outlines the problem of spiralling health care costs and the impact upon the community colleges. In addition, some of the strategies for containing costs are discussed; e.g.,…

Presents an economic analysis of public finance based on criteria of equity and efficiency. Discusses the operational problems and issues confronting community college practitioners and policymakers. Reviews public finance and cost-sharing in Florida, Illinois, Texas, and California. Recommendations include deemphasizing enrollment-driven…

Considers the impact of state power and authority on community college governance. Traces the trend toward increased state influence over institutional decisions in California and Florida. Looks at implications for the future. (DMM)

Describes Santa Fe Community College's (Florida) computer-based system for assessing students' basic skills, placing them into appropriate courses, and tracking their subsequent academic progress. Considers ways in which the college's tracking system has been modified in response to state mandates. (DMM)

Includes "Community Education (CE) Development in the States" (Clark, Zemlo); "State of the States" (Clark, Zemlo); "In Support of State-Level CE Development" (Decker, Romney); "CE in Florida" (Hanley, Robinson); ""CE in Kentucky" (Christenson, Whitus); "CE in Minnesota" (Kerns,…

Examines the application of management information systems (MIS) to the educational setting. Attempts to identify differences between MIS and other information systems. Discusses the development of an MIS to fit the needs of community colleges. Cites applications of MIS in the Florida community college system and delineates problems. (DMM)

Part memoir, part courtroom drama, part primer for fighting assaults on free speech, this book narrates a 5-year-long federal battle which began in 1986 to reinstate several literary classics to the reading list of a public high school in Lake City, Florida. The book recounts how the superintendent, the local school board, and several religious…