Responding to Community Needs through Community Follow-Up. Junior College Resource Review.

This literature review examines the utilization of community needs assessment data in program planning and evaluation efforts at community colleges. The review first defines and looks at the purposes of community needs assessments, noting that while such studies are purported to facilitate the planning and evaluation of credit and non-credit programs, few studies have led to substantial program changes. After discussing the importance of identifying the needs of subgroups within a community in remaining responsive to all area citizens, the review cites studies which examined the needs of special constituencies, such as women, minorities, and the business community. The application of needs assessment findings to college marketing programs designed to recruit and retain students is considered prior to a review of selected works revealing the limited use made of needs assessment data at community colleges and the importance of incorporating such data in the institutional planning process. Next, the review summarizes prevalent problems in current needs assessment practices, including the lack of clear definitions for "need" and "community," poor data collection and interpretation techniques, and reliance upon data gathering systems that are designed to meet legislatively mandated reporting requirements rather than institutional needs. A bibliography concludes the review. (JP)