Post-Recession Community College Reform

The book analyses and evaluates several key community college reform programs that emerged after the Recession of 2008 and as a result of major initiatives in California, New York, Tennessee, Florida, Connecticut and Wisconsin. Because of the economic downturn in the early 21st Century, an already eroding financial base for public higher education saw even further losses. At the same time, enrollments were booming, particularly in the two-year sector where many students who would have traditionally forgone a college education, were now enrolling to ensure their competitiveness in a harsh labor market. Chapters in this book examine the development and implementation of initiatives and accountability measures imposed across the states by the Obama administration, and consider their effectiveness in reducing the impact of the loss of students, and their role in improving courses. This book will be of interest to postgraduates and researchers exploring the history of education in the United States, as well as academic administrators, faculty, and policy-makers with an interest in reform-based practices that have been successfully implemented in community colleges.

Chet Jordan is Assistant Professor at Guttman Community College of the City University of New York, USA. Anthony G. Picciano is Professor at Hunter College and Professor in the Ph.D. Program in Urban Education at the City University of New York Graduate Center, USA.

Preface Acknowledgements About the Authors Chapters Prologue - Prelude to Recession Chapter 1 - Introduction Chapter 2 - California Community Colleges - Online Education Initiative Chapter 3 - The City University of New York: ASAP and Guttman Community College Chapter 4 - The Tennessee Promise Chapter 5 - Florida Ends Required Remedial Education Chapter 6 - Community College Mergers - Connecticut and Wisconsin Chapter 7 - Lessons for the Future Index