The political dynamics surrounding the adoption of an open admissions policy at the City University of New York (CUNY) are discussed. Analysis of the case of CUNY also provides a basis for considering the politics of structural change in American higher education. It is suggested that when Chancellor Albert Bowker took office in 1963, he followed…

Since Coastline Community College (CCC) opened in Fall 1976, CCC has served as a model for the community-based, "college beyond walls" movement. CCC, which has no physical campus, uses 127 existing facilities throughout its service area, including public and private buildings, homes, and businesses. Besides eliminating high construction…

In an effort to determine the causes of student attrition, a study was conducted at American River College (ARC) in December 1979, involving: (1) a survey of 1,174 students who had dropped at least one class while at ARC, and (2) a categorization of the reasons for college withdrawal indicated by 591 students on ARC's standardized withdrawal form.…

A COMMITTEE WAS APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF GRAND RAPIDS TO INVESTIGATE RACIAL BALANCE AND EDUCATIONAL QUALITY IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. COMMITTEE FINDINGS SHOWED THAT RACIAL IMBALANCE EXISTED AND HAD INCREASED SINCE 1950. NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES WERE FOUND IN TEACHER QUALITY IN THE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS, BUT NONWHITE TEACHERS WERE ASSIGNED…

The history of the school choice idea is briefly traced, and then some contemporary family choice models are examined in detail. "Tracking" was the major choice mechanism in public schools prior to recent efforts to expand the options. The alternative movement within individual schools began in the late 1960's, with many forms…

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…

AN EVALUATION OF A FREE CHOICE, OPEN ENROLLMENT PROGRAM, IN WHICH SEVENTH-GRADE MINORITY GROUP CHILDREN HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRANSFER TO RACIALLY BALANCED JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS OUTSIDE THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, RECORDED THE RESPONSES OF THE PUPILS, PARENTS, AND TEACHERS IN THE RECEIVING SCHOOLS. THE COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT,…

The three case studies in this report describe state-level efforts to address diversity and equity in postsecondary institutions in California, Maryland, and Washington. A preface provides some background on affirmative action programs, litigation history, and the roles of state coordinating agencies and institutional governing boards. The…

State policies regarding funding programs to serve at-risk students and dropouts through school-to-work activities in alternative learning environments were examined in a national survey. Data were collected through the following: surveys sent to finance directors in state departments of education and education committee chairs in both legislative…

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…

A bibliography of articles by Alexander W. Astin on the social psychology of higher education is presented. Entries are presented by year, starting with 1980 and dating back to 1956. Topics that are covered include: equal access to higher education, student persistence and attrition, higher education policy, selective admissions and open…