On December 1, 2006, EdNews.org featured the release of Defending the Community College Equity Agenda.

CCRC TO RELEASE GROUNDBREAKING BOOK ON CHALLENGES FACING COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Shrinking State Support, Immigration, Population Growth and Economic Trends Drive Change at America's "Open Door" Institutions

The Community College Research Center (CCRC), the leading independent authority on the nation's 1,200 community colleges, today announces Defending the Community College Equity Agenda, the most in-depth look to-date at the challenges confronting community colleges…

The volume, edited by Dr. Thomas Bailey and Dr. Vanessa Smith Morest, both of CCRC, examines the economic, political and social challenges that have made it increasingly difficult for two-year institutions, despite the commitment and dedicated work of their faculty and staff, to ensure that all students have an equal shot at college preparation, access and success. Central to these challenges is the loss of state funding, which has not only caused an increase in tuition rates for students, but has also made it difficult for colleges to maintain the teaching and services necessary for their growing and increasingly diverse student body…

Drawing on research derived from the real life experiences of 15 community colleges nationwide, the book examines trends including:

--The increasing emphasis on performance accountability at community colleges;

--The ongoing problem of weak academic preparedness;

--The opportunities and challenges of online education; and

--The growth of for-profit institutions.

-- Read the full-length version of this article on EdNews.org

-- To learn how to order the book and view related materials, go to: http://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/Publication.asp?UID=402