In a speech on the development of formalized systems for distance education, the British Open University is highlighted. Three themes are addressed: (1) objectives, methods, and evaluation of Great Britain's Open University, (2) examination and comparison of similar institutions in other countries, and (3) development of guidelines for initiation…

This evaluation of the decentralized Open Enrollment programs conducted in the New York City public schools during the 1969-70 school year, with funds provided by Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, covers programs developed and implemented at the school district level. It was contracted by the Bureau of Research of the central…

The concept of barrier-free transfer from two-year to four-year colleges is an important element in planning for student access to the baccalaureate. While it seems clear that transfer works reasonably well for most students most of the time, evidence suggests that transfer may be a qualitatively and quantitatively different experience at the…

The British Open University (OU) offers university degree programs to adults who are employed and study at home. It does so through a nationwide universal access (open admission) policy. A key feature of this program is that it imposes traditional university standards of excellence. Access is not limited by formal entry requirements, geography,…

The admissions process to post secondary schooling is examined, and the complex of academic, financial, geographic, and motivational barriers to access that are currently being overcome are identified in this dissertation. The objectives are to analyze and discuss various topics and to use them to illuminate institutional policies and practices to…

The objectives of this study of the county colleges in New Jersey were to: (1) examine their mission, governance, and financing; (2) determine whether philosophies and operating mechanisms of a period of expansion would provide sufficient support and direction for the future; and (3) make recommendations based upon the study. In addition to…

In this review of college admission practices, four areas are analyzed: (1) changing patterns of admission standards and practices and factors that have influenced those changes during the past 25 years; (2) importance assigned to high school achievement, test scores, and other criteria in arriving at admission decisions; (3) influence of college…

No definite evidence has demonstrated declining standards resulting from City University of New York's open-admissions policy. Argues that the policy has successfully reduced educational inequities. Basing conclusions on a study of the first three open-admissions classes, examines effects on university's ethnic composition, integration at various…

In an effort to understand and unify competing voices, which on one hand defend and seek to preserve the open-access college and on the other hand point to concomitant tensions, dilemmas, and uncertainties and call for reform, this book examines the achievements of community colleges, as well as the lingering problems that undercut those…

In an attempt to stimulate discussion on directions and priorities for the California community colleges (CCC), this monograph examines six issues likely to affect the colleges during the 1980's. The monograph first reviews recent literature pointing to an erosion of the colleges' transfer, vocational, and general education functions and then…

This book analyzes the transformation of British higher education from a closed, elite university system into an open, mass post-secondary education system. It sees the changes in British higher education as stemming from: (1) the rapid expansion in the number of students that created pressures for a shift to a mass, open post-secondary education…