Assignment:
Students will choose a state and write a research paper that examines that particular state's two-year college structure/system. The paper should include the history of the state's two-year college system, current issues impacting the state's two-year colleges, and a general comparison to other state two-year college systems. This paper should be 8 to 10 pages (at least 8 full pages and no more than 10 full pages), which does NOT include title page and reference list. The references should include at least 10 scholarly sources.
The paper should be written in APA format with title page, 1" margins, and 12-point font. No more than two students will be allowed to research a single state. After selecting a state, you must email me to approve your selected state. In your email, you should list three options: first choice, second choice, and third choice. My approval will be issued on a "first-come/first-serve" basis.
History - When were the first two-year colleges in the state established? What was the mission and/or purpose of these early two-year colleges? How has the number of two-year colleges in the state changed since they were first established? Are two-year colleges in the state affiliated with any four-year universities in the state? If so, what is the relationship?
Student Demographics - What did the student demographics (i.e. overall enrollment numbers and enrollment numbers by gender, race, age, SES, part-time vs full-time status, etc.) look like when two-year colleges were first established in the state? How have demographics changed over time? How did/do these rates compare to four-year colleges in the state then/now?
Faculty - What did faculty demographics (i.e. age, race, gender, part-time vs full-time status, educational background, prior experience, etc.) look like when two-year colleges were first established in the state? How have demographics changed over time? How do these rates
compare to four-year colleges in the state?
Funding - What is the funding formula (i.e. how much from state taxes, local taxes, federal funding, tuition, etc.) for two-year colleges in the state? Is it a performance-based funding structure?
Governing Structure - What type of governing system does the state have for its two-year colleges?
Achievement - What are the rates for retention, matriculation, graduation, transferring among two-year colleges in the state, transferring from four-year colleges to two-year colleges in the state, transferring to four-year colleges, etc.?
Comparison to two-year college systems in other states - How do the state's two-year colleges compare to other states in terms of enrollment numbers, number of two-year colleges, faculty and student demographics, funding, matriculation, graduation, and transfer rates, etc.?
(You can compare your state's figures to national figures. You can also compare your state's figures to those from a couple of states in the same region or states with similar two-year college structures.)
Current Issues - What are some current issues (i.e. funding, enrollment, retention, curriculum or mission changes, etc.) impacting the state's two-year colleges? (Think about some of the issues that we have discussed in class that are affecting two-year colleges overall.
For this aspect of the paper, you should look at recent periodicals from/about the state.)
You do not necessarily have to address every question under each heading. Just make sure that you are thoroughly providing enough information to cover each heading. For your research presentation, you can use charts and graphs to discuss your findings when appropriate.
Other Components of the Paper
1. APA format
2. Length of paper (Below or above the page minimum/maximum by a full page or more will result in a 5pt deduction for each page below or above the minimum/maximum.)
3. Organization, spelling, and grammar