Community colleges evolved in Canada during the "goldenyears" of educational innovation between 1960 and 1975. Adiversity of factors - historical, socio-economic, political andeducational - contributed to the development of college systems withdistinctive goals and structures. This book is the first up-to-date andcomprehensive study of a potent national educational and socialphenomenon, largely unknown and largely unappreciated.
The authors describe provincial and territorial college systems asthey have evolved to 1985, discussing problems particular to eachsystem and evaluating the extent to which often idealistic early goalshave been realized. They identify key issues which are critical to thefuture of these systems and which, if ignored, will undermine communitycollege education across Canada. These include accessibility, identity,relations with governments, management and leadership, and evaluationand accountability. In each case the authors draw upon their ownexpertise and experience to describe directions for resolution of theseissues.
The book contains a comprehensive and topical bibliography of bothpublished and unpublished material related to many aspects of Canadiancommunity college development. It also includes a French languagebibliography.
Unique in many aspects, this book is designed to interest bothgraduate and undergraduate students in adult and higher education andadministration as well as those directly involved in communitycolleges, government education ministries and a broad lay public.
This book provides an up-to-date report card on the successes and failures of the two distinguishing characteristics of Canada’s community colleges. This is an important book for anyone who wants to keep au courant with the community college scene in Canada.
A comprehensive and important overview of the issues that will face the postsecondary system -- and those determining educational policy -- over the next decade.
Introduction
Part I - Origins and History
1. Influences on Community College Development
2. New Colleges across Canada
3. Characteristics of Canada's Community Colleges
4. Transition to Today: The Emergence of College Systems
Part II - Issues for the Future
5. Colleges and the Future
6. Colleges as Institutions
7. The Politics of Colleges
8. Colleges and Excellence
9. Colleges and Canada
Appendices
Notes
Canadian Bibliography on Colleges in Canada
Index