Community colleges enroll nearly half of the students enrolled in public undergraduate programs and a disproportionate number of first-generation, low-income, underprepared and minority students. The new national completion agenda has brought both visibility and pressure to these open-access institutions, which have completion rates of less than…

Objective: Recent studies have shown that community college transfer students are just as likely to graduate with a bachelor's degree as students who directly enroll in a 4-year institution. However, these studies do not typically examine whether there is a penalty for community college students in terms of the length of time it takes to complete…

Objective: The proportion of high school students taking college courses (e.g., dual credit) is increasing and state and local policies are expanding, yet little is known about the effect of dual credit policies on key educational outcomes, including the effects for low-income students and students of color. The purpose of this study was to…

Raymond J. Young (1923-2007) played a key role in the post-World War II development of community colleges in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and elsewhere. This article describes his scholarly and professional contributions in developing "bottom-up," grassroots citizen's participatory studies that led to the establishment of 60 community…

Social science methodologies of intervention programming for college and career readiness, particularly in regard to evaluation, must be situated within a larger context of racialized readiness for college and career. The policy context for this argument is a state-level evaluation of college and career readiness legislation in Illinois using…

Although the authority for hiring a community college president resides with the board of trustees, few studies have directly explored trustees' perceptions of the desired qualifications for presidents. Using a Delphi process, this study identified the characteristics, competencies, and professional experiences that Illinois community college…

Describes the impact of the loss of private and public sector industry on west central Illinois. Explains cooperative efforts to establish and operate a dislocated worker program and develop a responsive delivery system. Looks at elements important to the success of the Galesburg Dislocated Worker Center, including exceptional grass roots effort…

Describes an Individualized Career Plan (ICP) as a practical, written action plan of career development activities designed to direct a student's formal and informal learning experiences toward identifying and achieving a career goal. Discusses a study of the levels of awareness of the ICP among Illinois community college staff. (AYC)

Examines the new high school course requirements for admittance to baccalaureate and community college transfer programs established by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Reviews trends in admissions requirements nationwide. (DMM)

Reports on the results of an evaluation of the Illinois Community College Board's recognition process, by which community colleges are judged to be in compliance with state standards. Discusses administrators' perceptions of the effectiveness of the preparation, on-site visit, and reporting phases of the recognition process. Suggests enhancements.…

Describes and evaluates the Nigerian Manpower Project in a community college in Illinois during which two groups of Nigerian trainees were enrolled in an agricultural mechanics program. Describes the scope and restrictions of the project, the sources of student discontent, the ambiguity of project goals, and other specific problems. Presents…

Describes a study of 525 students attending an Illinois community college having previously attended a 4-year college. Reports findings on reverse transfers' demographic and academic background, reasons for leaving the four-year institution and enrolling in a two-year college, primary educational goal, and evaluation of their educational…

Describes a study of the relationship between the family background, personal characteristics, and educational goals and achievement of 424 community college office occupations students in Illinois and their decision to terminate their education with the associate degree or to transfer to a 4-year college. Finds educational goals critical in…