In the 1960s, general education was at the forefront of innovative programs in American community colleges. Every community college designed a program of a common core of courses for the common person. General education was so popular it was included as one of the required components of a comprehensive community college along with university…

In this article, the author illustrates how three campuses have, in their own way, attempted to bring coherence to the student experience and enrich that experience by more closely matching what was promised to what each student actually experiences while enrolled. Fulfilling students' expectations that were purposefully articulated in the mission…

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in English and math were finalized in 2010 and, as of July 2012, have been adopted in full by 45 states. These standards provide a framework that is intended to ensure that all students who graduate from high school in the United States have attained the knowledge and competencies that prepare them well for…

The Breaking Through (BT) initiative promotes an expanded and enhanced role for community colleges in providing access to college for low-skilled adults. BT is uniquely important in its systematic integration of adult education, developmental/remedial education, professional-technical education (PTE), and career planning and preparation in…

In the first decade of the 21st century, the nation, the states, and colleges and universities began to grapple with the challenges of globalization, changing demography, the implications of the digital era, and of a less expansive public sector. Although not a transformative period for higher education, the decade saw significant innovations in…

To determine whether the educationally disadvantaged student could achieve academic success in Polk Community College's multimedia Biology 101 course, 44 students whose stanine scores were between one and four on the Florida Twelfth Grade Performance Test were studied. Academic success was defined as receiving a grade of C or above in the course.…

This practicum reviews the history of community influences on the teaching, research, and service functions of higher education in America. It discusses the role of major social institutions on higher education policy and curriculum in carrying out these three major functions. The study reveals a major shift of influence from church to business,…

Suggests that legislative involvement in community college operations stems from fiscal responsibility. Describes the structure of higher education in Florida and the development of the College Level Academic Skills Test. Discusses the adoption and results of the Gordon Rule, which establishes English and mathematics requirements for the first two…

Asserts that program evaluation can identify weaknesses in a community college's curriculum and ways to overcome these weaknesses. Discusses reasons for program evaluation, state-level evaluation efforts in Florida, and two examples of campus program evaluation plans. Offers a curriculum planning model for the 1980's. (AYC)

This Model Book contains information for developing a Cooperative Education Program at Santa Fe Community College (Florida). The sections of the book are as follows: Foreword; Background Information; Introduction; Administrative Structure; What Is the Cooperative Education Program; Standards Governing Program Approval; How to Apply for the…

Sixty-six students were enrolled in a combined Social Science-English experimental section which permitted them their choice of learning method. Options available were lecture, small group, programmed instruction, directed study and community involvement, and students were encouraged to try a variety of approaches. Six questions relating to…

A study of various forms of credit or non-credit used in Florida colleges and universities examines their relationship to traditional college credit, courses, and programs. An expansion in the kinds of credit and their usage is a focus of concern of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The practices of Florida postsecondary…

These three papers discuss the role of Florida's community colleges in developing training programs for mental health service employees in the state. Following introductory material, Robert Ashburn presents an overview of the Unit Treatment Rehabilitation (UTR) training program, which was designed to improve the quality of mental health care in…

The development and validation of an employer-centered action system for curriculum development and evaluation are described. The system used a descriptive/action research design whereby a research team interviewed all major employers in Broward County Florida in a two-year period. Results of an employer needs assessment and task analyses were…

Past events, present conditions, and future possibilities provide the context for this examination of the direct or indirect control of college curricula by governmental agencies. The paper first notes that while external management may be resented by educators who are entrenched in the status quo, government intervention into college instruction…