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  Student can learn essential soft skills for the workplace

  Learning life skills is vitally important to both college success and workplace success. The SCANS report indicates that employers are seeking soft skills as basic competencies in their employees (http://wdr.doleta.gov/SCANS). If our students, so many of whom are already working while attending college, can become more successful in both work and college environments, we have an approach that addresses both educational ...more »

  Learning life skills is vitally important to both college success and workplace success. The SCANS report indicates that employers are seeking soft skills as basic competencies in their employees (http://wdr.doleta.gov/SCANS). If our students, so many of whom are already working while attending college, can become more successful in both work and college environments, we have an approach that addresses both educational and career reform and innovation. My students’ ability to succeed in college is dependent on their ability to perform well at their jobs, and we can give them tools that will support them in achieving their goals once they reach their desired careers after graduation.

  This soft skills approach is already being used at community colleges across the country. See

  http://www.oncourseworkshop.com/Data.htm

  as well as http://www.oncourseworkshop.com/On%20Course%20Principles.htm

  Jonathan Brennan, PhD, EdD

  Faculty, Mission College, CA

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  2 comments for Idea: Student can learn essential soft skills for the workplace

  Submitted by jonathan.brennan 2 years ago

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  Proven Methods to improve student outcomes

  I'd like to share an article I published in Tomorrow's Professor that offers research on a powerful and evidence-supported approach to improve student retention, success and persistence to graduation: http://cgi.stanford.edu/~dept-ctl/cgi-bin/tomprof/postings.php Enter Posting #930 Synthesizing best practices from innovators in psychology, education, business, sports, and personal effectiveness, the goal of the On ...more »

  I'd like to share an article I published in Tomorrow's Professor that offers research on a powerful and evidence-supported approach to improve student retention, success and persistence to graduation:

  http://cgi.stanford.edu/~dept-ctl/cgi-bin/tomprof/postings.php Enter Posting #930

  Synthesizing best practices from innovators in psychology, education, business, sports, and personal effectiveness, the goal of the On Course approach represents eight of the essential "things" that good learners believe and do. By guiding students to adopt these principles and tools, it empowers them to become more effective partners in their own education, giving them the outer behaviors and inner qualities to create greater success in college and in life.

  Please take a careful look at a proven approach with significant results... (see http://www.oncourseworkshop.com/Data.htm)

  Jonathan Brennan, PhD, EdD

  Faculty, Mission College, CA

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  5 comments for Idea: Proven Methods to improve student outcomes

  Submitted by jonathan.brennan 2 years ago

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  Professional Treatment of Adjunct Faculty

  I would like to hear the summit participants, especially the community college administrators, acknowledge that the unprofessional treatment of adjunct faculty, which includes the refusal to pay them professional wages, offer them benefits, or allow them full participation in the construction of the curriculum, constitutes a crisis that can no longer be ignored. I would not like to hear that this is a problem because ...more »

  I would like to hear the summit participants, especially the community college administrators, acknowledge that the unprofessional treatment of adjunct faculty, which includes the refusal to pay them professional wages, offer them benefits, or allow them full participation in the construction of the curriculum, constitutes a crisis that can no longer be ignored. I would not like to hear that this is a problem because of the recession, since the problem pre-dates the recession by decades. I would like to hear some concrete proposals for a solution to this crisis that does no further harm to adjunct faculty who have given years of service to their institutions. Professional educators are not content delivery systems and education is not a consumer good. Adjunct faculty are human beings and need to be treated as such.

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  Submitted by maria.maisto 2 years ago

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  Adjuncts ARE the NEW FACULTY MAJORITY

  address the issues of Adjunct Faculty-- the NEW FACULTY MAJORITY-- and not simply brush us under the carpet & say that we need more Full Time Faculty. We do need more Full timers-- and we need this summit to address the fact that once you're an adjunct, you're not likely to make the crossover to full time because you have an inherent stigma attached to your status. We need this summit to raise the point that this stigma ...more »

  address the issues of Adjunct Faculty-- the NEW FACULTY MAJORITY-- and not simply brush us under the carpet & say that we need more Full Time Faculty. We do need more Full timers-- and we need this summit to address the fact that once you're an adjunct, you're not likely to make the crossover to full time because you have an inherent stigma attached to your status. We need this summit to raise the point that this stigma is SUPPORTED AND PROPOGATED by the unions & by the institutions hiring us.

  We need colleges to start HIRING LONG TERM & QUALIFIED ADJUNCTS AS FULL TIME FACULTY. We need to get hired as full time NOW & stop hiring newer & newer & lower paid more inexperienced adjuncts because it's cheaper. We also don't need unions telling us when & where we can work. Adjuncts are the backbone of our university & community college system. But, will this summit address that adjuncts are also this nations latest exploited labor force? We need EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK. And we need to address the bias against adjuncts in both the school system & in the unions. We're qualified. We're educated. And, often times, we're the only ones actually serving our students needs-- not the full timers.

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  Submitted by jessicaburke23 2 years ago

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  fund the community colleges

  Put your money where your mouth is! I read an article recently in a San Diego paper stating that CSU and UC campuses were each receiving $106 million in federal stimulus money. At the same time, the ENTIRE community college system, with 112 campuses, was SHARING a paltry $5 million. If the community colleges are so important to higher education, why are they treated so shabbily by the federal government??????????????? ...more »

  Put your money where your mouth is! I read an article recently in a San Diego paper stating that CSU and UC campuses were each receiving $106 million in federal stimulus money. At the same time, the ENTIRE community college system, with 112 campuses, was SHARING a paltry $5 million. If the community colleges are so important to higher education, why are they treated so shabbily by the federal government???????????????

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  Submitted by sylvia.montejano 2 years ago

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  Adjunct life

  What does an adjunct really go through each and every day? How much time do we spend on our work for the little amount of money we get?Let the Colleges recognize our work, give us respect and pay us a fair share.

  2 comments for Idea: Adjunct life

  Submitted by proflipkin 2 years ago

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  Enhance Counseling Services at Community Colleges

  There is an increase in the number of students choosing the community college route to higher education. This is partly due to the economic crises, and partly because of the impacted admission at the high school level. At Santa Barbara City College in California, there are many students who become VERY confused about the transfer process and we do not have the financial means to hire trained faculty to enhance our services. ...more »

  There is an increase in the number of students choosing the community college route to higher education. This is partly due to the economic crises, and partly because of the impacted admission at the high school level. At Santa Barbara City College in California, there are many students who become VERY confused about the transfer process and we do not have the financial means to hire trained faculty to enhance our services. This is an urgent matter and we need to invest in our youth and future. Please watch this video to learn more about SBCC and the Transfer Academy:

  http://infocusstudio.smugmug.com/Other/SBCCTransferAcademy/13990307_GjcZv#1029447072_A3Ltd

  Sincerely yours,

  Camila Acosta

  805-570-1317

  cracosta@sbcc.edu

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  1 comment for Idea: Enhance Counseling Services at Community Colleges

  Submitted by cracosta 2 years ago

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  Libraries

  I suggest you... promote and value libraries as hubs of activity and providers of equal access to information, something both students and faculty at community colleges need to succeed.

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  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  What Do Adjuncts Want?

  RESPECT,OFFICE SPACE, RECOGNITION, SUPPORT, EQUITY, DECENT PAY, BENEFITS, RESPECT!!!

  1 comment for Idea: What Do Adjuncts Want?

  Submitted by proflipkin 2 years ago

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  The "Non-traditional" student is in the majority

  Thank you Melinda Gates! The "non-traditional" students have actually been in the majority for many years. These are students who are first-generation, students who work full-time and attend part-time, students who have families, etc. We all need to recognize the importance of these students who are the "new" traditional college students and make sure that our systems serve their needs.

  3 comments for Idea: The "Non-traditional" student is in the majority

  Submitted by Diana K. Kelly, Ph.D. 2 years ago

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  Community Colleges are the first choice for many

  Community colleges are also the college of first choice for many -- not because they can't afford other higher education options, and not because they didn't qualify to enter a university. The community colleges are an excellent choice because they have smaller classes than universities, and in the first two years students are taught by well qualified professors rather than graduate students. Many in my own family started ...more »

  Community colleges are also the college of first choice for many -- not because they can't afford other higher education options, and not because they didn't qualify to enter a university. The community colleges are an excellent choice because they have smaller classes than universities, and in the first two years students are taught by well qualified professors rather than graduate students. Many in my own family started at community colleges and went on to become college graduates. Those who have had success by starting in community colleges need to tell our compelling stories!

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  Submitted by Diana K. Kelly, Ph.D. 2 years ago

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  A word about critical thinking

  Having listened carefully to the opening comments and applauding "shining the light" on American community colleges, I cannot believe that NOT ONE speaker addressed the connection between critical thinking and educational success. To expand technical education, to connect educ. to jobs is vital. To focus on these goals without integrating those disciplines that foster intellectual curiosity is suicide. The successful ...more »

  Having listened carefully to the opening comments and applauding "shining the light" on American community colleges, I cannot believe that NOT ONE speaker addressed the connection between critical thinking and educational success. To expand technical education, to connect educ. to jobs is vital. To focus on these goals without integrating those disciplines that foster intellectual curiosity is suicide. The successful community college of the future will find ways to incorporate experiences that inform the imagination with those that build the economy. Without that integration, America will "train" but not "educate."

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  2 comments for Idea: A word about critical thinking

  Submitted by Louise DeSantis Deutsch 2 years ago

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  Adjunct faculty

  "Road warriors," scholars and the heart of the Academcy - our Adjunct colleagues -- must not only be recognized, but also more fairly compensated, appreciated and given benefits proportionate to their service.

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  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  Adjuncts need a place at this table!

  I strongly suggest that you include adjunct faculty in future discussions. We outnumber full-time faculty at the community college level, and are marginalized enough as it is. If change is to occur, the voices of those "in the trenches" need to be heard.

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  Submitted by lab10 2 years ago

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  Learning is cumulative and continuous.

  Learning is cumulative and continuous. Therefore, we need a structure that begins in pre-school and continues throughout a person's life. We need to develop human capital (the knowledge, skills & abilities that an individual posses) to effectively meet our country's economic needs to effectively compete in a global economy. Human capital development needs to be specific, relevant, and verifiable. Individuals, companies, ...more »

  Learning is cumulative and continuous. Therefore, we need a structure that begins in pre-school and continues throughout a person's life. We need to develop human capital (the knowledge, skills & abilities that an individual posses) to effectively meet our country's economic needs to effectively compete in a global economy. Human capital development needs to be specific, relevant, and verifiable. Individuals, companies, countries and economies are intertwined and highly contingent upon individuals having the right skill mix in order to have a competitive edge.

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  Submitted by mary.maggard 2 years ago

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  Support STEM Student Research at Community Colleges

  Undergraduate research programs at community colleges have demonstrably increased the success and retention of underrepresented students. Unfortunately, community colleges lack the equipment and infrastructure for helping students carry out original research. A grants initiative aimed exclusively at community college undergrad research would stimulate the interest, participation, and success of our future STEM workers. ...more »

  Undergraduate research programs at community colleges have demonstrably increased the success and retention of underrepresented students. Unfortunately, community colleges lack the equipment and infrastructure for helping students carry out original research. A grants initiative aimed exclusively at community college undergrad research would stimulate the interest, participation, and success of our future STEM workers.

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  3 comments for Idea: Support STEM Student Research at Community Colleges

  Submitted by William Chamberlin 2 years ago

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  Program for Change: 2010-2030

  A plan to move U.S. higher education out of the quagmire of the two-tier faculty system is the Program for Change: 2010-2030. It identifies over 30 discrete areas, some involving costs but many low or no costs, whereby the situation of non-tenured faculty can be made normal and respectable. It would benefit non-tenured faculty, but it would also benefit our country. A version is viewable at http://newfacultymajority.info/PfC/. ...more »

  A plan to move U.S. higher education out of the quagmire of the two-tier faculty system is the Program for Change: 2010-2030. It identifies over 30 discrete areas, some involving costs but many low or no costs, whereby the situation of non-tenured faculty can be made normal and respectable. It would benefit non-tenured faculty, but it would also benefit our country. A version is viewable at http://newfacultymajority.info/PfC/.

  Jack Longmate, M.Ed.

  Adjunct English Instructor

  Olympic College, Bremerton, WA

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  1 comment for Idea: Program for Change: 2010-2030

  Submitted by jacklongmate 2 years ago

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  Fund adult and developmental education

  The number of students arriving on community college campuses testing into developmental ed courses is growing and students are wasting financial aid dollars on non credit classes

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  Submitted by dionedemitro 2 years ago

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  Teachers should employ new and effective methods of teaching

  i suggest you encourage teachers to employ more effective ways of teaching that would interest students and not bore them so that they would always look forward to going to school and the government should make it easier for all students to acquire financial aid to successfully complete their education. Cindy Monu

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  Submitted by ladycindy4ril 2 years ago

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  Create A Seamless Education System With Concurrent Enrollment

  Offering rigorous college coursework in high school classrooms has caught fire as an effective means of increasing student access to and success in college. Concurrent enrollment programs have grown exponentially over the last 10 years, as many states embark on initiatives to raise the rigor of the high school experience through accelerated coursework, reduce the amount of remedial coursework, increase access to college ...more »

  Offering rigorous college coursework in high school classrooms has caught fire as an effective means of increasing student access to and success in college. Concurrent enrollment programs have grown exponentially over the last 10 years, as many states embark on initiatives to raise the rigor of the high school experience through accelerated coursework, reduce the amount of remedial coursework, increase access to college for students who are underrepresented in higher education, and increase college completion rates. Innovative colleges credential and train high school teachers as adjuncts to teach entry-level courses to high school students in the high school classroom. Concurrent enrollment partnerships create seamless education pathways for students, and bridge the expectations gap between high school and college faculty by fostering collaborative dialogue within specific disciplines.

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  Submitted by Adam Lowe 2 years ago

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  Faculty is the Core Resource

  I suggest more attention is paid to the faculties in the community college in general. Due to the budget cuts, more and more educators in a community college are part-timers, many of which don't even have office hours. How can they help their student outside of class when they themselves have to deal with 5 classes a semester? Students leave and go each year, but faculties are the one that stay and can actually influence ...more »

  I suggest more attention is paid to the faculties in the community college in general. Due to the budget cuts, more and more educators in a community college are part-timers, many of which don't even have office hours. How can they help their student outside of class when they themselves have to deal with 5 classes a semester? Students leave and go each year, but faculties are the one that stay and can actually influence the minds of those students who in turn eventually make a difference.

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  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  You get what you pay for

  Your teacher makes or breaks the classroom. We live in a capitalist society, our priorities reflect what we spend our money on. If you want high quality teachers, you need to pay them at LEAST what they can make in the private sector. Great teachers are human "engineers". How much are they worth to you? If we are going to compete against China and the rest of the world, we need the BEST teachers in the world. Education ...more »

  Your teacher makes or breaks the classroom. We live in a capitalist society, our priorities reflect what we spend our money on. If you want high quality teachers, you need to pay them at LEAST what they can make in the private sector. Great teachers are human "engineers". How much are they worth to you? If we are going to compete against China and the rest of the world, we need the BEST teachers in the world. Education is priceless.

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  Submitted by ilovetcpip 2 years ago

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  Fulltime: Label Denied Adjuncts

  Many of us adjuncts work more than what might be designated as full time when considering the several colleges at which we serve. However, because no one institution designates us as full time, we are ineligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness that is afforded our colleagues. Thousands of dollars in hidden benefits are reaped through this simple designation that is denied those of us who lack the label when we are ...more »

  Many of us adjuncts work more than what might be designated as full time when considering the several colleges at which we serve. However, because no one institution designates us as full time, we are ineligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness that is afforded our colleagues.

  Thousands of dollars in hidden benefits are reaped through this simple designation that is denied those of us who lack the label when we are working equal or more hours.

  The $135K I have in student loans that underwrote my three graduate degrees will be paid back through my hobbled-together adjunct part time status at several schools, without consideration of the hours I work that exceeds those of my colleagues who carry the coveted label of "full time."

  Please see http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/PSF.jsp for background information.

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  1 comment for Idea: Fulltime: Label Denied Adjuncts

  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  Major Selection and transfer planning is a key college career success threshold

  Many community college students generate critical momentum toward program completion when they find their passion for a particular major, define their transfer goal to a particular university and build and implement a transfer plan to complete their bachelor's. Successful matriculation to senior universities, for the majority of community college students, is a critical success outcome of community college attendance. ...more »

  Many community college students generate critical momentum toward program completion when they find their passion for a particular major, define their transfer goal to a particular university and build and implement a transfer plan to complete their bachelor's. Successful matriculation to senior universities, for the majority of community college students, is a critical success outcome of community college attendance. Funding student support counseling for helping students choose the right major and plan their university transfer is essential for helping community college students achieve college-career success. see

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  2 comments for Idea: Major Selection and transfer planning is a key college career success threshold

  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  Part-time Pay and Benefits

  It is ridiculous that teachers at community colleges are getting paid less than teachers at high schools and elementary schools in some instances. They typically have at least a Master's degree and are specialists in their fields. This is not right and we will begin to lose quality teachers if we do not begin to pay them a correct salary with good benefits.

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  Submitted by gersonsanchez81 2 years ago

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