Urges community services planners to focus programs on critical human needs, such as literacy, and to think of the community as an extended family, pooling its resources to meet its members' basic needs. Suggests that community services be viewed as a gift without immediate demand for reciprocity. (AYC)

Provides a picture of community college partnerships and collaborative activities by viewing the contemporary context of collaboration and alliance-building. Summarizes information from 14 presidents of community colleges recognized for their partnership activities with respect to the dimensions of collaboration, definitions of community,…

Addresses the many issues community colleges currently face, including decreased state and federal funding, increased competition from for-profit colleges, the digital divide, and enrollment and retirement trends. Suggests that institutions interact with their environments in better, fundamentally different ways. (Contains 14 references.) (NB)

Examines evidence of the loss of quality in community college instruction over the last two decades. Argues that administrative leadership is needed to reaffirm the community college's commitment to excellence in teaching. (DMM)

Discusses the difficulty of defining "excellence" and measuring "success." Reports on a national study of excellence at the secondary school level. Highlights qualities characterizing well-run companies, successful teachers, good administrative leaders, and excellent schools. (DMM)

Discusses the place of basic literacy development in general education. Cites institutional policies and recommendations regarding general education objectives. Reviews the conclusions of a University of Texas study of the literacy demands of community college courses. Offers recommendations for concerted efforts to effect systematic development…

Presents research findings on the character and effectiveness of developmental studies programs. Points out 11 elements common to those developmental programs reporting the most complete and promising retention data. (DMM)

Reviews studies identifying the attributes of excellent teachers. Discusses prevailing myths about teaching quality that inhibit teacher effectiveness. Suggests ways community college leaders may evidence commitment to excellence through formal evaluation systems, awareness of excellence and incompetence, and identification and elimination of…

Examines ways in which the university has affected the community college, focusing on the university's role in the establishment and emergence of community colleges, its effects on mission and philosophy, the influence of university training on community college faculty and administrators, and direct and indirect influences on the curriculum. (DMM)

Offers background on a study to identify community college presidents able to create a vision to move the college forward; communicate effectively to transform the vision into reality; and maximize the potential of each staff person. Defines transformational leaders as those who envision and nurture change toward access and excellence. (DMM)

Examines the development and activities of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development. Discusses four tenets for staff development initiatives: build credibility through face-to-face encounters; supplement personal encounters by a regular flow of information; build an internal staff development network; and encourage…

Changing the culture of a college is the first and most critical step toward successful change. The Community College of Denver (CCD) has created a culture that is sustained by a heartfelt shared belief in the primacy of student success, and that has produced remarkable improvements in student success outcomes. (PGS)

Provides results of an in-depth case analysis of Miami-Dade Community College, using the Roueche-Baker Community College Excellence Model. Focuses on situational leadership, systems for success, student-oriented teaching, student success, and institutional climate and culture. (AYC)

Based on a review of research and literature on student academic performance, provides an overview of the state of basic skills (developmental) instruction in the two-year college. Discusses the characteristics of successful basic skills programs. (DMM)

Discusses the public's growing disaffection for institutions of higher education in North America and the increasing need for educational reform. Reviews conclusions from a study of effectiveness practices in over 200 two-year colleges. Argues that the colleges can and will play an important role in education reform. (AJL)