Terminology and Control
– Community colleges were previously known as junior colleges.
– The term junior college is now used for private two-year institutions.
– The American Association of Junior Colleges changed its name to the American Association of Community Colleges.
– Other names for community colleges include city college, county college, and branch campus.
– In California, community colleges are often called city colleges.
Tuition-free Community College (College Promise)
– Community college tuition is free in 47 states through College Promise programs.
Adjunct Faculty and Contingent Workers
– Adjunct faculty make up most of the instructional staff at community colleges.
– Adjunct pay ranges from about $1,397 to $3,000 per course.
– Some community college professors work at multiple campuses to make a living.
– Adjuncts have limited autonomy, resources, and job stability.
– One in four families of part-time college faculty are enrolled in public assistance programs.
Socioeconomic Status
– More than half of community college students surveyed struggle with food insecurity.
– A third of college students lack stable housing and enough food.
– Nine percent of surveyed college students are homeless.
History and Early Development of Community Colleges
– Early community colleges were often normal schools that prepared teachers.
– Normal schools began in Massachusetts in the 1880s.
– St. Paul’s Public School District in Minnesota established a City Training School for teacher preparation.
– The City Training School provided certified teachers and substitutes for the district.
– Mrs. N. F. Wheaton was the first principal of the first Normal Training School in Minneapolis.
– Adele Evers was appointed as the first teacher at the Normal Training School.
– Baltimore’s Manual Training High School was the first work-oriented secondary school.
– University Preparatory School and Junior College of Tonkawa were examples of sub-baccalaureate programs in Oklahoma.
– Dean Schneider developed an alternative high school with a cooperative plan.
– Girls Vocational High School in Kansas City and Delgado Trade School in New Orleans were non-cooperative high schools.
– Two-year terminal education was seen as socially efficient for students who didn’t pursue bachelor’s degrees.
– Junior colleges became a target population for the national vocational movement.
– There was a trend of separating junior colleges from high schools and affiliating them with higher education.
– Junior colleges developed professional criteria and scientific methods for credibility.
– J. M. Carroll suggested reducing the curriculum of smaller Baptist colleges to the first two years to solve financial problems.
– Joliet Junior College in Illinois was the first established community college.
– Junior colleges grew rapidly from 1909 to 1930, with 440 colleges enrolling about 70,000 students.
– The growth of community colleges was driven by the need for nearby, low-cost schools and the demand for advanced technical jobs.
– The purpose of community colleges shifted to developing a workforce during the Great Depression.
– Junior college students were described as semiprofessionals.
– The closed shop of artisans was no longer the preferred educational program.
– Two-year vocational education programs were launched within the secondary public school system.
– Industrial workers needed an educational delivery system other than traditional four-year colleges.
– The G.I. Bill provided educational opportunities to veterans, leading to increased enrollments.
– Community colleges became popular for housing continuing education programs after World War II.
– The 1947 Presidents Commission on Higher Education established a network of public community colleges.
– Private institutions reached their peak in 1949, with 322 junior colleges.
– The 1960s saw a significant increase in community colleges and enrollment due to the baby boomers.
– Community colleges relied on part-time instructors, making up 50-60% of the faculty by 1980.
– Community colleges began working closely with high schools to prepare students for vocational and technical programs in the 1980s.
– By the late 1980s, over 50% of college freshmen were enrolled in a two-year college.
– Junior colleges developed their own campuses and became known as community colleges.
– High school normal schools evolved into teacher colleges or colleges of education within universities.
– Advocates argue that community colleges provide college opportunities, train mid-level skilled workers, and preserve academic excellence.
– Critics argue that community colleges perpetuate a culture of privilege and hinder social class advancement.
– In 1998, 64% of community college faculty were part-time workers.
– Community colleges face challenges such as technological innovations, funding constraints, and community pressure.
– During the Great Recession, community colleges faced budget cuts and increased reliance on adjunct professors.
– Funding for community colleges faced scrutiny as state budgets tightened.
– Tennessee and Chicago implemented programs for free community college in 2014.
– President Obama proposed the Americas College Promise plan for free community college in 2015.
– Republican lawmakers opposed the legislation for free community college.
– Oregon and Illinois also implemented plans for free community college.
– Property tax revenue is a common source of funding for community colleges.
– Community colleges may also receive funding from state and federal governments.
– Tuition and fees paid by students contribute to the financial resources of community colleges.
– Donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations can provide additional funding.
– Community colleges may offer grants and scholarships to support students financially.
– Community colleges in the United States have a diverse student population.
– Enrollment at community colleges has been steadily increasing in recent years.
– Many students choose community colleges for their affordability and accessibility.
– Community colleges often serve as a pathway for students to transfer to four-year institutions.
– Non-traditional students, such as adult learners and working professionals, are common in community colleges.
– Community colleges offer a wide range of academic programs and degrees.
– Associate degrees are commonly awarded by community colleges.
– Certificate programs provide specialized training for specific careers.
– Some community colleges offer transfer programs for students planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
– Community colleges often collaborate with local industries to offer workforce development programs.
– Community colleges play a crucial role in expanding access to higher education, providing workforce training, and supporting economic development Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_colleges_in_the_United_States
In the United States, community colleges are primarily two-year public institutions of tertiary education. Community colleges offer undergraduate education in the form of an associate degree. In addition community colleges also offer remedial education, GEDs, high school diplomas, technical diplomas and academic certificates, and in rare cases, a limited number of 4-year bachelor's degrees. After graduating from a community college, some students transfer to a four-year college or university to continue their studies leading to a bachelor's degree. Community college is tuition-free for selected students in 47 states, often under the name College Promise. Most community college instructors have advanced degrees but serve as part-time low wage employees.
Community college enrollment has declined every year since 2010. According to the National Student Clearinghouse, the total decline in enrollment from 2010 to 2020 was more than 2.2 million students. The largest enrollment drop occurred in 2020, the latest year surveyed.
