In response to burgeoning nontraditional student enrollments in freshman composition at the University of New Orleans, the entire English faculty has begun to teach all levels of composition courses. Benefits from this development have included student appreciation, an improvement in faculty morale, and a tightening of academic standards. (DF)

The extent to which the Open University has achieved its goal of openness is assessed in terms of three policy areas (administrative, educational, and informational) and of graduates' success. It is proposed that an even more open policy is now needed. (MSE)

Describes the downsizing and restructuring occurring in many community colleges due to funding decreases and enrollment increases. Discusses the feasibility of keeping an open-door policy, and explores other options to downsizing. Lists steps to help colleges review their missions, arguing that they must move to find their market niches. (AJL)

Discussion at a 1990 symposium on democratic values and higher education administration is summarized. Issues addressed include productive competition in higher education, open access vs. competitive selection, assessment of teacher performance and instructional quality, and the relationship between higher education institutions and national…

Focuses on programs that address the needs of at-risk high school students and graduates through remedial and supplemental courses at community and technical colleges, citing models in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Discusses difficulties in funding. In the absence of reform, community colleges will continue in this role. (DM)

The effects of relaxed college admission standards vary across students. A relaxed standard may raise the number of graduates but reduces nongraduates' productivity. The effect on the graduation rate is ambiguous, since "marginal" college attendees are less likely to graduate. A lower admission standard reduces performance among students exceeding…

Survey of parents and guardians of 911 North Dakota students applying for open enrollment found that general education, family convenience, proximity, and school atmosphere/values/philosophy were the most important reasons for choosing a district outside their home district. Responders' educational level and income were higher than those of the…

The University of Toledo (Ohio) honors program, with a dedicated space for honors, a separate interdisciplinary curriculum, and the opportunity to do research, assists this open admissions institution to attract and retain academically talented students. A dramatic increase in honors enrollments in the last decade has provided both opportunities…

A project was undertaken in 1970-76 whose principal purpose was to study the prospects of two-way communication between an administrative authority (the office of the chancellor of the Swedish universities) and the general public (prospective students in the national plan for wider admissions). It grew out of criticism of a proposed national…

Discusses background, rationale, and current trends in school choice. Where implemented carefully with parent participation, choice plans have increased public support and student achievement and provided curriculum differentiation, cohesiveness, autonomy, and small size as benefits. However, school choice raises some equity problems, including…

A key to the movement toward open access to higher education has been the growth of public community colleges, which are reexamining their priorities, resources, and missions. The need for "people's colleges" to reconcile their concern for quality with their commitment to open access is discussed. (MLW)

A study of persistence/dropout among open admissions college students found: (1) accurate predictions cannot be made for individual students at the time of matriculation; and (2) it is possible to predict that about 80 percent of future groups will fall in the persist category after two semesters, 51 percent after four semesters. (CMG)

With staff and faculty support, an urban community college's administration has reorganized the school's structure, turned around its negative public image, scrutinized and deemphasized its less productive courses, and revised its curriculum to more accurately serve student, community, and labor market needs. Developmental studies played a large…

Uses the imagery of pioneer life to underscore the uncertainty of today's community college mission. Discusses the community college characteristics that represent a significant departure from traditional higher education: equal opportunity, open admissions, community involvement, comprehensive curriculum, and teaching orientation. Proposes…

A novel, liberal admissions procedure used for students over 25 at the University of New South Wales (Australia) is described and its effectiveness evaluated. Extensive interview and questionnaire data are reported on student motivation, expectation, and adjustment problems. Academic performance is shown to be consistently superior to traditional…