This booklet provides a brief description of the community junior college movement in the United States and its progress in Arkansas. Comprehensive community junior colleges traditionally offer two years of university-parallel work plus additional courses in occupational education, continuing education for adults, and community service programs.…

Recently the state legislatures in Texas and Arkansas have passed initiatives to maximize transfer effectiveness from two- to four-year institutions. These initiatives, and others being undertaken on a national level, were stimulated by the rising cost of higher education, a decline in transfer rates and low achievement among students who do…

In 1991, the state of Arkansas passed state requirements for the establishment of a tech prep core curriculum for high school programs. The Arkansas program will be developed around the 2+4+2+2 theory, but will mostly focus on the 2+2 plan integrating academic and vocational education. The goal will be to advance the competencies of academic and…

This report details the findings of the Strategic Plan Steering Committee of the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges (AATYC). The document serves two purposes. First, it makes the case for the potential of two-year colleges in Arkansas to make an impact on the state's students and, in turn, impact the economy. Second, the report lays the…

Background information on the use of telecourses across the nation and, specifically, in Arkansas is provided in this report along with recommendations for policies and procedures relative to the use of telecourses by Arkansas colleges and universities. After tracing national trends in the acceptance of telecourses, an overview is provided of what…

Reviews the history of two-year colleges in Arkansas, discussing their beginnings in the late 1800s, enabling legislation as public junior colleges in the 1960s, expansion in the 1970s, and major changes in the 1990s. Describes current issues of concern, such as institutional mergers, local college governance structures, and state funding. (AJL)

CRITERIA FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICTS IN ARKANSAS INCLUDE (1) A PROJECTED ENROLLMENT OF AT LEAST 300 FULL TIME EQUIVALENT STUDENTS IN THE THIRD YEAR OF OPERATION, (2) ASSESSED VALUATION ADEQUATE TO PROVIDE FROM LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES ONE-THIRD OF THE ANNUAL OPERATING COST AND THE TOTAL DEBT SERVICE REQUIREMENTS FOR CAPITAL OUTLAY,…

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the perception of two-year and four-year college students, faculty, and chief administration officers related to current articulation practices. The study also aimed to determine the desired components for a successful articulation and transfer system, and to identify any significant differences…

As part of an effort to improve its summer school offerings, Arkansas' Garland County Community College conducted a survey of summer school practices at the state's 23 other two-year colleges. Survey results, based on responses from all 23 schools, included the following: (1) 13 schools offered 2 sessions during the summer months, 7 offered 3…

This paper begins with a history of the tumultuous beginning of Arkansas's two-year college system. The system has gone through three major eras with the third, and current, era beginning in 1991. As a result of commissions sponsored by local businesses and the Carnegie Foundation in 1991, legislation was passed to convert 13 of the 24 vocational…

During the 1993-94 program year, 75% of Arkansas' grade 7 through 12 students were enrolled in at least one vocational education (VE) course. Of those students, 52,847 were either academically disadvantaged, disabled, or limited English speaking. In addition, 15,940 and 8,008 students were enrolled in VE programs at Arkansas postsecondary…