The term "throughput" refers to the percentage of a student cohort who complete a course sequence within a set period after having begun that sequence at the same point in time. Under AB 705 the set period for observing throughput rates is described in law as "one year". While that time frame seems intuitive enough, the…

Each Spring, community colleges report their opening spring term enrollment figures to the Illinois Community College Board on a brief web-based survey. These figures reflect only those students enrolled in credit courses that were operational on the census date (last day for course registration for regular classes). Enrollment for classes…

This document contains a report on student enrollment at the end of the 2003 winter quarter and spring semester at the College of DuPage. The report is based on results of the fiscal year survey that shows both the headcount enrollments and the full time equivalent enrollments increased statewide as compared with the same term a year prior. The…

This study examined the relationship between intensity of study (defined as more hours per week of class within a subject matter area) and student success. The researcher identified two possible methods for increasing the intensity of study: (1) Compression Hypothesis--shortening the length of terms and increasing the amount of time per week spent…

Before outlining a proposal for a flexible trimester calendar to replace the traditional semester system at San Bernardino Community College, other alternatives such as the early semester, 4-1-4, and quarter systems are reviewed. The proposed trimester system, developed in accordance with the California Flexible Calendar and School Finance in…

A three-phase study was conducted at the College of the Redwoods (C/R) to determine if the college calendar should be changed, and if so, how. The first phase of the study consisted of establishing priority criteria for consideration of alternative forms of calendar organization, identification of calendar alternatives, and compilation of a list…

The question of which calendar is best for Barstow College (BC) is addressed in terms of general considerations connected with academic calendars, the intended effects of the quarter system, the issue of cost effectiveness, and the advantages and disadvantages of both calendars. First, introductory material discusses BC's conversion to a quarter…

After reviewing types of college calendars (traditional semester, early semester, trimester, and quarter) and previous research on the use of various school calendars, this paper describes a survey conducted by Ocean County College, a medium-sized college currently using a traditional semester calendar, to determine the views of students, faculty,…

This document reports that many community colleges are considering changes in their traditional semester calendars. In California, the most common question facing colleges is whether to switch from the traditional (in California) 18-week semester to a 16-week one. This paper details the results of a student and faculty survey conducted at…

This document provides an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of five different academic calendars, including: traditional semester, early semester, quarter, trimester, and "4-1-4." The present California State Code defines the academic year of the California Community Colleges as 175 days, based on the K-12 standard. This…

In 1976, a study determined that student retention had increased markedly following Barstow College's transition from a semester to a quarter system. In 1979, another study was conducted to determine: (1) the accuracy of the 1976 figures; (2) the effect of the shortness of the time period considered in the 1976 study on its reliability; (3) the…

In an effort to determine the most effective school calendar system, a task force was formed at Pennsylvania's Reading Area Community College to examine the advantages and disadvantages of converting from the college's current term calendar to a semester system. The task force examined the experiences of 11 other institutions that had undergone…

Intended to provide background information and preliminary policy options for the California Community Colleges' Commission on Innovation, this document explores the advantages and costs of shifting to year-round operations to increase college capacity and reduce the need for new facilities. Following introductory materials detailing the…

A study was conducted at San Joaquin Delta College (SJDC) to determine whether its present calendar, based on the traditional semester system, should be abandoned in favor of either the quarter or the early semester calendars. The study involved: (1) contacting employers to determine the effect of a calendar change on student employment, (2)…

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…