By providing an affordable way to build and maintain a knowledgeable and skilled workforce, noncredit courses add value to people and their communities. Still, government leaders and other decisionmakers want to know: Exactly how much value do they add? Who benefits? What is the return on investment? Which programs are most effective and most cost-effective? And of course, how can these programs be improved? This white paper proposes the first steps to provide the answers decisionmakers want and community colleges need. Appendices include: (1) Testing the Activity Measure and Framework at Two Colleges: Macomb Community College and LaGuardia Community College; and (2) Members of the Research Team. A bibliography is included. (Contains 5 endnotes.)