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In 1992, a study was conducted to determine the number and characteristics of Kansas students transferring from the state's community colleges to one of the state universities; the comparative academic performance, graduation, and persistence rates of community college transfers and their native university counterparts; and the relationship of these data to information collected in a similar study conducted in 1985. The 1985 study found increasing numbers of transfer students from 1979 through 1983, unchanging student characteristics, high satisfaction rates at both types of institution, and higher attrition rates for community college students. In the 1992 study, student databases at the state universities were examined and interviews were conducted of former community college students enrolled in state universities in the 1985-86 academic year. Results of the study included the following: (1) the trend of increasing enrollments of community college transfers was confirmed, although the rate of increase was not as dramatic as that found in the original study; (2) student characteristics (i.e., age, test scores, grade point averages) were generally the same as in the first study; (3) the academic performance of community college students in their first semester was found to be lower than that of native university students; (4) transfers persisted at substantially lower rates than native university students, confirming findings from the first study; and (5) from interviews of 33 former community college students, 70% reported difficulties with academic studies, while 73% felt that they were prepared for the university. Research specifications, definitions of terms, and the survey instruments are appended. (ECC)

Recent accreditation guidelines of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, as well as various legislative initiatives, require two-year institutions in Kansas to develop measures of student achievement as part of their overall assessment of institutional effectiveness. In July and August of 1992, a subcommittee of the Kansas Council of Instructional Administrators sent a questionnaire to the deans of instruction at Kansas's community colleges to obtain information on each college's institutional effectiveness assessment plans. Survey findings, based on a 100% response rate from the 19 deans, included the following: (1) 79% of the deans indicated that the colleges had engaged in a review of their mission statements as a preparation for assessing institutional effectiveness, though only 47% had involved students in the review process; (2) only six deans viewed faculty members as "strongly committed" to the process of institutional effectiveness assessment; (3) only 42% of the colleges had developed a formal plan or model for assessing institutional effectiveness; (4) while most colleges conducted formal evaluations of academic programs, few utilized student-outcomes based evaluation; (5) the most frequently used measures of student achievement were retention rate, grade distribution analysis, pass rates on licensure exams, and employment rates; (6) at 12 colleges, the evaluation of faculty was considered part of the institutional assessment process; and (7) 74% of the deans reported that sustaining long-term faculty support represented a significant obstacle to the successful implementation of an institutional assessment plan. (PAA)

Hoping to assure that the college remains responsive to the community, this study focuses on some of the factors which will affect Johnson County Community College's evolution over the next 20 years. Toward that end, the demographic features of Johnson County have been analyzed and projected as well as factors pertinent to and descriptive of college operation such as enrollment and revenue. The results of the projection studies are introduced by a chapter giving a brief history of the college's planning and construction. Projections are made concerning population, enrollment, room utilization, bonding debt capacity, special building funds, and expenditure and revenue. Tables and graphs are used to document estimates. The tabular appendixes show the projections through 1993. (Author/MJK)

Five studies were conducted to complement and supplement existing accreditation studies for Johnson County Community College (JCCC): (1) "Community Satisfaction with JCCC Programs and Services," (2) "Continuing Education Student Profile," (3) "JCCC Student Success at Four-Year Transfer Institutions," (4) "Followup of Students Attending JCCC During Fall 1970," (5) "Library User Opinion of JCCC Library." Survey instruments are appended to each study. (Author/MJK)

Thirty-seven employers of clerical personnel were surveyed to determine necessary skills, education, and experience for the positions of clerk/receptionist, clerk/stenographer, secretary, and administrative assistant. The results suggest that at least a high school diploma, typing speed, and one-two years of experience are considered necessary by a high percentage of employers for all four clerical positions. The current Secretarial Careers Program emphasizes preparations for the Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) examination. The high percentage of students obtaining employment prior to the completion of the two-year program raised a question as to whether employers wanted and were willing to pay for office staff with the skills of a CPS. Data indicated 75 percent were not familiar with the term at all. Two recommendations were made: (1) to begin to plan for the development of a shortened program, and (2) to make employers more aware of the skills of a Certified Professional Secretary. Tabular data and the survey instrument are appended. (Author/MJK)

In 1985, Johnson County Community College (JCCC) coordinated a 5-year longitudinal study of representative groups of students at all 19 Kansas community colleges. The purpose of the study was to document the academic and career progress of these students from first entry into college to subsequent experiences after leaving the community college. At JCCC, a total of 53 full-time, first-time freshmen signed participation agreements in fall 1985; of these, 43 completed the 1990 survey for an adjusted response rate of 86%. Major study findings, including comparisons with other Kansas community colleges, included the following: (1) approximately 58% of the 1990 JCCC respondents had originally planned to earn an associate or bachelor's degree, and nearly all of them achieved that goal; statewide, 73% of the respondents earned a degree by 1990, but only 60% had expressed such plans in 1985; (2) JCCC respondents who planned to earn a graduate degree rose from approximately 32% in 1985 to nearly 42% in 1990; (3) nearly 73% of the respondents statewide described themselves as consistent full-time students from 1985 to 1990, compared to 58% of the JCCC respondents; (4) JCCC respondents expressed less satisfaction with their progress toward personal, educational, and professional goals throughout the study than respondents from other Kansas community colleges; and (5) a greater percentage of JCCC students than other respondents married, added family members, and experienced hospitalizations and acute financial difficulties between 1985 and 1990. Data tables, separate results from each year's survey, and selected verbatim comments are included. (JMC)

In 1985, Johnson County Community College (JCCC) coordinated a 5-year longitudinal study of representative groups of students at all 19 Kansas community colleges. The study sought to document the academic and career progress of the students from first entry into college to subsequent experiences after leaving the community college. Each college randomly selected 50 to 100 representative first-time, full-time freshmen who agreed in writing to have their progress monitored over a 5-year period. Data were gathered regarding student characteristics, college choice, educational experiences, and satisfaction. Major study findings included the following: (1) the majority of the respondents described their teen economic status as middle class; (2) full-time employment increased substantially from 1985 to 1990, as did the tendency to be employed in a job related to long-term career goals; (3) the top three factors influencing the decision to enroll at a Kansas community college were convenient location, low cost, and availability of scholarships or financial aid; (4) enrollment exhibited a normal decline over the 5-year period; (5) over 75% of the former students who responded to the 1990 survey had achieved their fall 1985 educational objective; (6) the majority of the respondents studied more, engaged in school-related activities less, found the coursework more interesting, and felt the quality of instruction was better in college than in high school; (7) nearly 90% indicated that their community college experience had improved the quality of their life; (8) approximately 84% expressed satisfaction with their personal growth and development throughout the 5-year period; and (9) respondents who had attended a four-year college as well as a community college were more satisfied with the four-year institution's variety of courses, career preparation, social life, and job placement services. Selected verbatim comments, the participation agreement form, and sample surveys are attached. (JMC)

A study was conducted by Johnson County Community College (JCCC) to assess public perceptions of the college. The survey was administered in spring 1982 to approximately 3,000 randomly selected households in Johnson County. Study findings, based on responses from 615 residents, revealed: (1) nearly 99% of all respondents had previously heard of the college, 96% thought JCCC had a good reputation, 95% felt that it provided a good education, and 92% indicated that it gave the community "its money's worth"; (2) the respondents from the northwestern and southern areas of the county were much more likely to have been enrolled or be planning to enroll in classes than the respondents from the northeastern and central areas; (3) students between the ages of 15 and 23 enrolled in classes primarily to earn a bachelor's degree, respondents from 24 to 39 years generally intended to prepare for new jobs or advance in present jobs, and respondents over 40 years predominantly enrolled for personal improvement and enrichment; (4) the respondents received information about JCCC from personal contacts, area newspapers, and class schedules; (5) the preferred sources of information on the college were direct mail and newspapers; and (6) the college was rated highest by the respondents in providing transfer instruction, lifelong learning, and job skills training. The survey instrument is appended. (HB)

In spring 1983, a joint research project was conducted by representatives of all public school districts and the community college in Johnson County to determine the career and educational interests of the county's high school students. The Career and Educational Interest Survey was administered to 8,127 tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students in all of Johnson County's high schools. Study findings, based on a sample of 68% of the county's 12,000 high school students, revealed: (1) 57.4% of the students viewed the major benefit of attending high school as to prepare for college, and 31.7% as a general education to prepare for life; (2) students showed greatest interest in data processing/computer programming, auto mechanics, electronics, and fashion merchandising programs; (3) nearly 80% of the responding students had future plans that included some type of education--57% of these intended to attend a four-year college or university and 12% a two-year college; (4) 32.5% of all responding students indicated an interest in business occupations, 21.8% were interested in engineering/technical fields, and 16.5% in social or human services; and (5) the most important college characteristics were seen to be high quality teaching, and a wide range of academic courses. The survey instrument is appended. (HB)

Surveys of local employers were conducted by Johnson County Community College to determine the needs for potential career programs as related to job opportunities in the following areas: (1) accounting; (2) advertising and journalism; (3) animal health technology; (4) automotive technology; (5) building construction; (6) child care for preschoolers; (7) dental laboratory technology; (8) equine management; (9) fire protection and public safety technology; (10) medical laboratory technology; (11) medical records technology; (12) mental health technology; (13) physical therapist assistants; (14) press operators; (15) radiologic technicians; and (16) urban agribusiness. Results of these surveys are presented in 16 distinct reports which consider the national employment outlook, local manpower needs, salary potentials, relevance of an associate degree in qualifying for positions, and other job qualifications. Some reports also discuss existing job training opportunities and their impact on employment needs; program options and costs; staff and site selection considerations; and student interest and recruitment. Many reports include references. (MB)

In order to determine whether a paralegal program could be successfully implemented at Johnson County Community College, surveys were sent to 262 local attorneys (with a 24% response rate) and to 41 members of the Kansas City Association of Legal Assistants (71% response). Emphasis was placed on determining area employment needs and the perceptions of skills expected of paralegal graduates. Respondents were asked to rate a total of 111 job responsibilities in nine broad categories (general, civil and criminal, real estate, taxation, corporate and partnership, domestic relations, estate planning and probate, workmen's compensation, and bankruptcy) as "essential,""desirable," or "not applicable." Generally, most lawyers felt a paralegal should possess good general office skills and be knowledgeable in the areas of civil and criminal law and domestic relations. A majority of the paralegals felt that the ability to do research, prepare routine legal documents, and handle financial matters were essential skills. The study revealed that a full two-year program training paralegals for positions with area law firms was not justified, as there were not enough large firms in the area to provide adequate job opportunities and as other colleges were training paralegals in Missouri law. However, a limited program to upgrade the skills of legal secretaries was considered feasible. (MB)

In 1979, the Kansas Association of Community Colleges conducted a survey of students who had previously attended one of the state's 19 community colleges to determine their characteristics (i.e., sex, race, age, full-/part-time classification, and residence); academic characteristics (i.e., previous enrollment, reasons for college attendance, employment status while enrolled, length of enrollment, degrees received, withdrawals and transfers, and majors); present employment and perception of current job; transfer results; degrees; and ratings of programs and services. A comparison of the data pertaining specifically to Johnson County Community College (JCCC) with the data for community colleges statewide indicates a number of similarities. For example, the JCCC group resembled the statewide sample with respect to percentage of male enrollments, ethnic distribution, reasons for attending college, percentage earning an associate degree, common majors, percent currently employed, credits transferred, and ratings of vocational and transfer preparation. However, there were a number of observable differences between the two groups, including: (1) JCCC attracts an older student than other Kansas community colleges; (2) almost three times as many JCCC students attended college on a part-time basis as their statewide counterparts; (3) more JCCC students continued to reside in the community college district; and (4) JCCC students were more likely to be employed in jobs related to their field of study. The questionnaire and extensive data tables are included. (KL)

In March 1984, a study was conducted to estimate the tangible, positive economic impact that community colleges in Kansas have both on their local economies and on the state economy. The model used in the study calculated a conservative estimate of the economic impact associated with direct expenditures by the colleges, their employees, and their students, as well as additional indirect business volume generated by these direct expenditures. Study results included the following: (1) total tangible economic impact statewide was $318,947,857; (2) total net economic impact after taxes was $244,127,489; (3) college expenditures totalled $39,732,145, while employee expenditures were $23,558,275 and student expenditures were $64,288,723; (4) the direct impact of the colleges represented $127,579,143 of the total impact, while the additional business volume generated by these expenditures was $191,368,714; (5) the net economic impact of the community colleges on their surrounding counties ranged from $3.6 million to $23.7 million; (6) for each dollar of local tax support received, community colleges returned $4.30 to the local economies; (7) the community college employed 2,352 individuals directly in full-time positions in 1983-84; and (8) overall, student expenditures accounted for 58% of the direct impact of the community colleges. (LAL)