Community College Review current issue

Editor's Note

Palmer, J. C. — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:01:08 PDT

Financial Aid and Persistence in Community Colleges: Assessing the Effectiveness of Federal and State Financial Aid Programs in Oklahoma

Mendoza, P., Mendez, J. P., Malcolm, Z. — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:01:08 PDT

Using a longitudinal, state-wide dataset, this study assessed the effect of financial aid on the persistence of full-time students in associate’s degree programs at the Oklahoma community colleges. Three financial-aid sources were examined: the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP), Pell grants, and Stafford loans. Results indicate that these forms of financial aid, alone and in combination, were predictors of persistence measured in terms of the student progressing from 1styear status to 2nd-year status.The effect of financial aid, however, was moderated by ethnicity and income.

The Denominator as the "Target"

Hom, W. C. — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:01:08 PDT

Various analyses have used the transfer rate as a performance indicator for community colleges, but the question of what constitutes an appropriate denominator in the transfer-rate equation remains a point of contention. This article examines the potential drawbacks of using student-reported educational goals to determine which students are included in the denominator and notes how the behavioral signal approach—based on the courses students take and complete—may be a more appropriate alternative. In addition, the article discusses the prospects of employing a "transfer opportunity diagnosis" based on multiple indicators.

The Importance of Funding Postsecondary Correctional Educational Programs

Mercer, K. R. — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:01:08 PDT

The correctional population in the United States has increased dramatically in the past two decades and shows no sign of tapering off. In addition, the recidivism rates of those inmates who are released are high. Consequently, various constituencies have questioned how the number of inmates who return to the correctional population can be reduced. It has been empirically established that the more education acquired by inmates the less likely they are to return to the correctional population. However, funding for postsecondary correctional education (PSCE) programs has been neglected by the federal government, resulting in limited opportunities for inmates to participate in PSCE programs. This article profiles the prisoner population in the United States, describes three state correctional education programs in which community college play a central role, and makes the case for additional fiscal support for PSCE programs.

Institutional Contradiction in the Community College

Ayers, D. F. — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:01:08 PDT

Critical discourse analysis was employed to examine the narratives collected from 40 community college administrators who were asked to recount their experience in an event, activity, or decision that challenged their values.The analysis yielded three findings. First, contradictions emerged between the administrators’ educational and professional values, on the one hand, and managerialism (pressure from above), on the other hand. Second, participants either acquiesced to managerialism or resisted through insubordination or advocacy. Third, the styles enacted by the administrators in the face of these contradictions included the alienated victim (who felt that his or her authority had been usurped), the survivor (who eventually recovered or at least feigned a positive attitude), or the institutional entrepreneur (who successfully aligned a policy or practice with his or her values).The latter successfully advocated for change, suggesting the need for future research on leadership strategies and organizational climates that foster institutional entrepreneurship.