Many states are experimenting with mechanisms for making college more affordable while maintaining quality and access. This report examines promising or innovative state programs to improve college affordability and credential attainment. Many of these approaches show innovative thinking and bear watching to see if they result in meaningful…

A recently completed study of 32,000 California community college students reveals that continuing education for part-time, older students has become the dominant function of the community college in terms of numbers of students served. This article describes that study and makes recommendations on how best to serve this clientele. (DC)

Evaluation of the State Department of Finance enrollment projection techniques suggest they have become less accurate over time in projecting community college enrollments. In light of the continual growth of the California system, accurate enrollment projection techniques are needed if colleges are to be effectively planned and managed. The basic…

The California community colleges represent one of the few remaining tuition-free postsecondary systems, a position strengthened by recent legislation establishing a no-fee policy for all credit classes and removing the 21-year-old "defined adult" State funding limitation. Today's community college students average 25 years of age, most…

California community colleges enroll nearly 1.3 million students in regular instruction (excluding community services). This represents 11% of all higher education enrollments in the nation, or one out of every eight California adults. Using 1975-76 enrollment statistics, these students are characterized as 49% female, 36.2% married or formerly…