Directing General Education Outcomes. New Directions for Community Colleges, Number 81.

Overview & Synopsis

The articles in this collection recommend ways of bringing greater direction and focus to community college general education and thereby enhancing the fulfillment of collegiate missions and augmenting student learning. The sourcebook contains: (1) "Toward a Second Wave of Reform," by Jerry G. Gaff, which reviews the general education reforms of the 1980's and recommends further steps in redesigning general education to meet learning needs; (2) "The De Facto State of General Education," by Neal A. Raisman, which reports on a study of the general education curricula at Michigan community colleges; (3) "General Education in the Community College: Developing Habits of Thought," by Judith S. Eaton, which suggests different approaches to general education for different types of students; (4) "Broadening Our Conception of General Education: The Self-Regulated Learner," by Claire E. Weinstein and Gretchen Van Mater Stone, which proposes that general education should help students become expert, lifelong learners; (5) "Teaching Values Through General Education," by R. Murray Thomas, which offers specific approaches and exercises to teach values; (6) "Globalizing General Education: Changing World, Changing Needs," by Douglas P. Sjoquist, which discusses techniques for internationalizing general education; (7) "General and Developmental Education: Finding Common Ground," by Thomas L. Franke, which offers models for bridging developmental and general education needs; (8) "General Education for At-Risk Students," by Laura I. Rendon and Janyth Fredrickson, which considers ways general education can be changed to ensure greater success for minorities; (9) "Vocational Education and General Education: New Relationship or Shotgun Marriage?" by James Jacobs, which discusses ways to unite general education and liberal arts and prepare students to enter technological careers; (10) "General Education in Occupational Programs: The Barriers Can Be Surmounted," by Carole Finley Edmonds, which focuses on improving communication between general and vocational education practitioners; and (11) "Sources and Information: General Education in the Community College," by Neal A. Raisman and Karin Petersen Hsiao, which presents an annotated bibliography of current literature. (MAB)