The size of the educational enterprise clearly demonstrates that education is big business. In 1976, education involved 29% of the national population, cost approximately $131 billion, and accounted for 8% of the gross national product. Close attention should be given to the way in which those responsible for delivery of educational services…

A major reason for the public's concern about curriculum and instruction at all levels of education has evolved because of the serious decline in student academic achievement. After two decades of innovation in teaching styles there are increasing complaints about academic grade inflation, functional illiteracy, and student inability to read,…

Students who go to a junior community college because their grade-point deficiencies in secondary schools block entrance to regular 4-year institutions present motivational challenges to educators. Two of the major problems in motivating a college student when his efforts in the educational system have already been largely futile include lack of…

Considers problems associated with community college open admissions policies, questioning the colleges' effectiveness in developing needed skill levels. Reviews proposed solutions to literacy problems. Argues that literacy education is the responsibility of all faculty and that open door admissions must be accompanied by policies that facilitate…

Describes the implementation of open admissions at Bronx Community College (New York), and its impact on faculty. Identifies immediate results, including growth in enrollments and faculty, and the reallocation of academic resources to remediation. Considers subsequent financial problems, faculty retrenchment, and enrollment declines. Discusses the…

Examines the ethical conflict in community college nursing programs between the value placed on equal educational opportunity and the need for quality and high standards. Offers a defense of open admissions and open access and presents the case against open admissions. Suggests priorities for associate degree nursing programs. (37 references) (MAB)

In 1970, the City University of New York (CUNY) instituted a controversial open-admissions policy, which permitted the enrollment of large numbers of students in need of basic skills instruction. In 1990, a study was conducted to compare the 1989 freshman cohort at New York City Technical College with the first open-admissions cohort entering the…

The essays in this collection provide contrasting points of view on a number of community college issues that have become more pressing during periods of economic constraint. The volume contains: (1) "Part-Time Faculty: The Value of the Resource," by William R. C. Munsey; (2) "Part-Time Faculty, Full-Time Problems," by David Hartleb and William…

In 1981, a study was conducted at three rural community colleges in Maryland to determine whether there was a difference between the college grade point averages (GPAs) of first-time, full-time students who applied early for admissions and the GPAs of students who applied late. The study analyzed applications and GPA data for a total of 700…

Nontraditional students in the community college can profit from their composition courses if these courses give them the chance to discover what words can do and to use that discovery to best serve their own interests and ambitions. To serve these aims, composition courses should be based on the following assumptions: students are to be accepted…

The "open-door" policy of community colleges has resulted in the three interrelated problems of student recruitment, student retention, and student placement. In order to identify and analyze factors which cause the separation of "new" students from the community college, a one-day seminar was conducted at Southern University in May of 1973.…

Explores problems faced by the community junior college, including inflation, rising enrollments, expanding services, and open admissions; transfer policies from secondary and to university levels; faculty qualifications; management and accountability. Major trends are increased nontraditional students, alternate educational forms, decreased…

Describes issues affecting the open door policies of community colleges in light of funding cutbacks. Suggests that the central challenges for community colleges will include linking noncredit workforce development programs to the regular college curriculum and ensuring ease of transfer among secondary schools and community colleges. (16…

Makes a case for United States community college baccalaureate degrees by focusing on the Canadian college and university system, which allows its community colleges to grant baccalaureate degrees. Argues that more students will earn bachelors degrees at lower costs to both students and taxpayers without disrupting the community college mission.…

Community colleges concentrate on the neglected first two years of college; raise educational levels of underprepared students; educates and trains students to be qualified, skilled workers; and re-educates those whose skills are outdated; and those who have college degrees but no work skills. Drawing from interviews with community college…