This book addresses various federal, state, and institutional policies affecting community colleges and speculates about future policy options within the current policy context. While attempting to be comprehensive, the book does not include every policy issue affecting community colleges but rather examines most of the major policy issues considered salient for community college at the onset of the 21st century. Written by various experts on the community college and addressed to those concerned with policies affecting higher education as well as those interested in the future of the community college, the book begins with a macro look at the policy context affecting community colleges, including federal policies, state governance structures, and the impact of globalization on community colleges.

At the state level, chapter authors focus on timely and critical issues challenging state policy: links with K-12 education, workforce preparation, dual credit policies, transfer and articulation, remediation, and technology. At the institutional level, policies on general education and student persistence are examined. The book concludes with a plea for a more critical approach to community college policy for the 21st century. This timely work provides an update on the status of policies affecting community colleges and possible future directions for policy decisions.