Low completion rates and increased time to degree at U.S. colleges are a widespread concern for policymakers and academic leaders. Many "full time" undergraduates currently enroll at 12 credits per semester despite the fact that a bachelor's degree cannot be completed within 4 years at that credit-load. The "academic momentum"…

In the Salinas Union High School District, California, diplomas are presented to qualified students at the end of either the fall or the spring semester. Graduation requirements specify courses, number of semesters, proficiency (or remedial in lieu of substitution), and number of cumulative units. Therefore, at mid-year two bodies of seniors are…

This report presents the findings of a study done by a college-wide task force at the College of DuPage (Illinois) on academic calendar formats in an effort to determine whether to retain the quarter system or convert to another calendar. A brief introduction gives the background to the issue at DuPage. A section on procedures explains that the…

This report analyzes 1979 spring term enrollment data for all 39 Illinois Community College Districts (whether on the quarter or semester system) and winter quarter enrollments for the five districts on the quarter system and compares these data with similar figures for 1974 through 1978. Information is organized in 14 data tables in terms of…

The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) converted from a quarter to semester calendar at the beginning of the 1988-89 academic year. A study was conducted after the first year of the use of the new calendar to determine its effects on enrollment and student persistence. Full- and part-time enrollment data and student retention rates for…

These three reports present instructional data for Mercer County Community College for Summer and Fall 1980 and Spring 1981. The first report, covering summer sessions from 1974 through 1980, examines instructional hours, class size, student credit hours (SCRH), student contact hours (SCH), income/cost measures, instructional staff, full-time…

This paper compares student headcount enrollment and full-time enrollment prior to and following transition to a semester calendar at 75 public colleges in three state systems: Alabama, Georgia, and Utah. Before and after effects on enrollment in the transition colleges are examined and compared with colleges that did not make the transition. In…