A national strategy for human resource development is urgently needed to meet the challenges posed by demographic changes, global competition, accelerating technological change, low levels of adult literacy, and outmoded educational practices and standards. While the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act could serve as the cornerstone of such a strategy, the Act lacks a unifying theme or focus. The Act is a collection of special-interest programs that largely take the national interest for granted. This position statement of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges and the Association of Community College Trustees reviews the major components within each of the 11 Titles of the Act, pointing out the weaknesses in each, and recommending alterations and additions to the legislation that would make it more effective. The six priority recommendations presented in the report are as follows: (1) the Pell Grant should become an entitlement designed to ensure that the neediest students can complete at least one year of postsecondary study without loans; (2) student aid delivery should be simplified; (3) a national network of college-employer partnerships should be mandated; (4) an initiative in "pipeline" articulation should be introduced to increase the flow and retention of transfer students; (5) an Urban Extension Service should be established to help urban community colleges spearhead solutions to the grave urban problems; (6) a position of Assistant Secretary for Adult and Community College Education should be established to strengthen programs and improve interagency cooperation. (PAA)