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In order to identify the educational needs and aspirations of graduating high school seniors in the service region of the University of Maine at Augusta, a survey instrument was designed and administered to 1,950 seniors at 19 institutions. In all, 1,744 completed surveys were returned, a 92 percent response rate. The data are sub-grouped into three regional categories by which summary data are reported so that regional differences may be identified. In addition, where appropriate, data from a national survey conducted by the Educational Testing Service are provided for comparative purposes. Findings report demographic characteristics of the survey population, including sex, family size, family income, and employment. The relationship of the variable of "income level" to the variables of "college intending to attend" and to "reasons for not attending college" is examined, along with the respondents' receptiveness to the establishment of a community college in the area. Finally, students indicate specific community college programs which would be of interest to them in the general areas of business administration, health services, human services, liberal arts, and miscellaneous. Data are tabulated, and highlights of the ETS survey used for comparison are appended. (NHM)

A study was conducted for the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges (AACJC) and the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) to determine the nature and extent of partnerships that exist between community colleges and business/industry and high schools in the United States. The survey of 1,219 colleges sought information on the colleges' characteristics; establishment of business, industry, labor councils; participation in private industry councils; coordination with business/industry; large private sector employee training; public sector employee training; small business support; high school/college partnerships; and economic development offices. Based on responses from 770 (63.2%) of the colleges, study findings revealed: (1) 41% of the colleges had established business, industry, labor councils on their campuses; (2) two-thirds of the colleges participated in the area Private Industry Council; (3) two-thirds of the responding colleges had appointed business/industry coordinators on their campuses; (4) nearly three-fourths of all respondents offered training for large private sector employees, and three-fourths offered training for public sector employees; (5) 83% of the colleges reported providing small business support beyond traditional credit course work; (6) nearly 90% of respondents had collaborative arrangements with the high schools in their areas; and (7) 80% of the colleges reported involvement with local and state economic development offices. Appendices include the survey instrument, descriptions of exemplary cooperative programs, and a statement of the interests and activities of the AACJC/ACCT Keeping America Working Project. (HB)

A survey of 72 selected two-year colleges was conducted to gather information on the extent and range of college efforts to improve the quality of the workforce and the efficiency of public and private enterprises. Specifically, the survey requested data on credit and noncredit enrollments; occupational programs (e.g., degree programs and programs awarding credit for work experience, including cooperative education, work study, apprenticeships, and military training); transfer programs; community and corporate economic profiles; military contracts; business/industry/college collaboration; industry-driven courses and instruction; and Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) funded activities. Study findings, based on a 75% response rate, included the following: (1) 47% of the responding institutions served urban areas and 40% served suburban districts; (2) 50% served over 10,000 students; (3) 89.8% of the colleges had cooperative education programs, 34.9% had work study programs, 56.8% offered apprenticeship training, and 56.8% offered nonapprenticeship industrial training; (4) 80% offered between 1 and 20 credits for work-related experience; (5) 31% of the colleges reported that between 1% and 10% of their students transferred to a four-year college; (6) 42% provided formal educational training for military personnel; and (7) 54.5% of the rural colleges used company equipment to provide technical training. Appendixes provide an executive summary of a national survey of college partnerships, a list of respondents, the survey instrument, and a course list. (EJV)