Education, Higher

The purpose of this study was to determine effectiveness of the recruitment
methods, programs available, and retention methods and procedures
used for the disadvantaged youth in Florida Public Community Junior
Colleges.
In order to identify and compare evidence related to this purpose
a survey questionnaire was sent to the counseling department in each college.
The questionnaire was constructed to obtain data from these areas:
(1) methods of recruitment, (2) identification of ethnic and economic
categories included in disadvantagement, (3) methods of selection of students,
(4) material aid given by college to disadvantaged students, (4)
extent and effectiveness of vocational and occupational programs, (6) the
present status of student retention, and (7) follow up programs on dropouts.
The questionnaire was sent to five Florida Community Junior Colleges
for their reaction and response. Three of the five respondents
mentioned an imbalance in emphasis between recruitment and programs and
between programs and retention. After consultation with an advisor,
several more questions on programs were added to correct imbalance and
add other pertinent information to the study.
The questionnaire was sent to the 28 Florida Community Colleges
and seven of their satellite campuses. Community Junior Colleges surveyed
were identified by the 1971-72 edition of the American Association
of Community Junior College's Directory. Of the 23 out of 35 questionnaires
which were filled out by the community junior colleges, 18 were
reported by major campuses and 5 were from satellite campuses, representing
64.3% of the total surveyed. Every questionnaire that was returned
was utilized in the statistical analysis, and is reflected in the above
percentage of those surveyed.
Chapter II shows an analysis of data for the entire study and a
preliminary discussion of recruitment and retention. The statistical
treatment of the findings for recruitment and retention is given in
detail.
Chapter III reflects a preliminary discussion of programs, and the
analysis of results of the programs now in operation for disadvantaged
students.
Chapter IV records final findings and implications.
Major Conclusions and Implications: The Florida community colleges in fact have both diverse offerings
and student populations. Documentation of the commitment to serve in
general is more evident than research to determine specific opportunity
for the disadvantaged. Special training programs are geared to the
academic offering of the college with conservative emphasis on remediation.
There seems to be an unwillingness to admit a need for institutional
change, especially as programs relate to retention.

This case study analyzed the perceptions of professionalism among an emerging and distinct occupational sector of community college faculty: community college faculty who teach in baccalaureate programs. The research was designed to address three questions as to the experiences of Community College Baccalaureate (CCB) faculty. First, what are the perceptions of professionalism among the community college faculty who teach in the baccalaureate programs at a multi-campus community college in the state of Florida (herein referred to as Seaside College)? Specifically, what patterns emerged when faculty perceptions of professional identity were examined, first, under the lens of professionalism as established by Larson (1977) and, second, through Boyer's (1990) four domains of scholarship? Second, are these faculty perceptions different from their previously held perceptions prior to the college's expansion into baccalaureate instruction? Third, were there any noticeable differences in faculty perceptions about the individual baccalaureate areas across this college?

This study explores the strategic thinking and strategic planning efforts in a department, college and university in the southeastern United States. The goal of the study was to identify elements of strategic planning processes that meet the unique organizational features and complexities of a higher education institution. The study employed a holistic, multi-case study approach, wherein three single case studies were conducted with one unit of analysis. The findings in each case were then compared and contrasted to provide more evidence and confidence in the findings. The findings are framed by two constructs : strategic planning and strategic thinking. The conceptual framework for the study identified the distinction between the systematic nature of strategic planning and the more integrated perspective of strategic thinking. Traditional business based strategic planning model uses an analytical process, logic, linear thinking and a calculating process to develop a plan. Strategi c thinking places a premium on synthesis, systems thinking and a social cognitive process that results in an integrated perspective of the organization. The resluts of this study indicate that the use of the Strategic Thinking Protocolà is suitable for higher education organizations to create a learning environment, to implement creative and emergent strategies, that result in the organization's positioning and responses to a rapidly changing environment. The strategic thinking process in both the department and college cases were found to be effective in altering the attitudes, values, beliefs and behaviors of the participants. The integration of the plan is an ongoing process with strong beginnings in both the department and college cases.

This study focused on the capital costs of the community college baccalaureate (CCB) institutions established in the Florida College System (FCS) from 2001 to 2010. This period spanned the entire history to date of the Florida CCB. The data analyzed included selected institutional, financial, and baccalaureate characteristics of the Florida CCBs and for comparison included corresponding institutional and financial characteristics for the non-CCB institutions in the FCS. The data analysis investigated the relationships between these characteristics and the baccalaureate capital costs reported by Florida's CCB colleges. From these relationships, the historic average of the baccalaureate start-up capital cost was derived. In addition, the total baccalaureate capital cost for the system and for each Florida CCB college was also determined. As part of the process of conducting this study, a number of additional relationships between CCB and non-CCB institutions were explored, reported, and described.

The purpose of this case study was to describe and further understand how faculty are being prepared and developed to teach web-based courses at a college in Florida. The study examined practices used by the college in preparing their faculty to teach online. Faculty preparation and development were defined as any activity which expands knowledge about how to teach web-based courses. Broward College was chosen as the site of study. Utilizing the qualitative case study approach, the researcher collected and analyzed data during the Fall 2009 academic semester. Data collection methods included interviews, observations of faculty development workshops as well as online classrooms, and document analysis. The study revealed Broward College's method of preparing faculty to teach online. Faculty are prepared to teach online through the Instructional Technology Department. This method focuses heavily on professional development workshops that directly correlate with the types of online classes offered at the college. Faculty are also prepared to teach online through the use of consultants, known as e-associates, as well as other follow-up support. This was an educational leadership study that focused on preparing faculty to teach online. Florida's community colleges are becoming baccalaureate degree-granting colleges, and as enrollments increase, so will the demand for online classes. In turn, college faculty need to be prepared to teach online. This study emphasizes the importance of leadership, administration, and support needed in order to successfully prepare faculty to teach online.

The purpose of this study was to examine students' preferred methods of academic advising services and whether they related to their individual learning styles. The first objective of the study was to determine each participant's learning style. The second objective of the study was to determine which method of academic advising each participant preferred. The third objective of the study was to determine whether a relationship existed between the participants' learning styles and preferred methods of academic advising. Additionally, the moderating effect of gender, ethnicity, college major, high school grade point average (GPA), location, and employment on the relationship was considered. Students' learning styles were measured by the Barsch Learning Style Inventory (BLSI). Academic advising preference and demographic information were gathered through a researcher-designed questionnaire. All students (N=1,184) who completed the Online Advising & Registration System (OARS) were cont acted via e-mail and received a web link to the BLSI and student questionnaire. Data from the students (n=172) who completed the BLSI and student questionnaire were analyzed. Correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the quantitative data. A qualitative analysis of four open-ended survey questions was completed. The results found no relationship between participants' learning styles and their preferred methods of academic advising services. Additionally, gender, ethnicity, college major, high school GPA, location, and employment did not moderate the relationship between participants' learning styles and their preferred methods of academic advising services. The findings suggest that a student's learning style is not associated with his or her preference for type of advising.

The purpose of this study was to explore undergraduate students' behaviors related to academic dishonesty. Additionally, this study examined students' perceptions of their own connectedness within the online classroom, and perceptions of the effectiveness of deterrents to cheating. Participants in the study were enrolled in online courses within the College of Arts and Science at a regionally accredited for-profit university. Students enrolled at the university represent a geographic cross section primarily within the U.S. but included students living outside the U.S. Participants were asked about their individual feelings of overall connectedness within the online classroom. Connectedness was determined using five subscales to create an overall connectedness score. The subscales were attachment, bonding, climate, connection, and engagement. Statistical tests were conducted to assess and describe any relationships between connectedness, academic dishonesty, and demographic factors. Additionally, participants provided feedback on various methods used in online classes to encourage academic honesty. This study discovered significant relationships between academic dishonesty and students' feelings of connectedness. Students' academic performance was related also to feelings of connectedness within the online classroom. Additionally, the frequency of engagement in academic dishonesty increased as the students neared graduation. The findings of this study contribute to the body of knowledge related to pedagogy and course design of online classes.

An assessment of the knowledge and the behaviors associated with sustainable development was conducted to determine the effect of adult education on sustainable development in Jamaica. The discourse for leadership commitment and governance, as well as continuous learning has its tenets in the discovery that the programs do not significantly address sustainable development (SD). While knowledge was significantly addressed, the programs failed to motivate useful action. The study has provided an explanation of the barriers, costs, and limits to sustainability so that program planners can devise transfer of learning strategies that foster adaptation and mitigation. The investigation involved 35 adult educators and 84 trainees from four programs of the premier adult and continuing learning facility in Jamaica. Both groups agreed that the programs addressed the knowledge, but not the behaviors associated with SD, despite the fact that all three dimensions of SD were addressed in an almost equitable manner. The requirements for achieving SD were met by 7% of the respondents, while the percentage of respondents that achieved environmental sustainability, economic sustainability, and social responsibility was 15%, 16%, and 13%, respectively. The six measures correlated highly with the SD variable and were significant. However, there were no significant differences across the groups. Instructors and trainees agreed that knowing about the concerns of SD had not changed their thinking and behavior. On average, the principles of sustainability were not applied. Although hospitality programs were more effective than agriculture, construction and automotive programs in addressing the content on environmental sustainability, no program paid attention to transfer of learning. Cronbach's alpha for the survey instrument was .973.

The purpose of this case study was to determine which, if any, alternative in delivering baccalaureate programs in the state of Florida was the most cost-effective one. This exploratory study focused on gaining an understanding of the cost effectiveness of two baccalaureate programs offered at a Florida community college to two like programs at a Florida university using qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The researcher interviewed five community college and three State Department of Education administrators during the Fall of 2007 and analyzed expenditure and effectiveness data from 2003-04 through 2006-07 to determine the cost effectiveness for the programs at each institution. The study revealed that the university and community college programs were equally effective as measured by student graduation and test scores. The community college baccalaureate programs were more cost effective, however, using a formula of per-student state funding combined with student cost. Th e lower per-student funding and student tuition charged resulted in the community college baccalaureate being a less expensive alternative of offering baccalaureate degrees to the state and the students. Using Henry Levin's ingredients model of measuring cost effectiveness, the quantitative analysis of the study revealed that that the university programs were more cost effective in the early years, but the differences diminished over time. Using Levin's model for comparison, the researcher concluded that increased growth in the enrollment of the programs combined with the implementation of effectiveness measures comparable to those of the university would render baccalaureate programs at the community colleges more cost effective.