The Fall 2006 volume of New Directions for Community Colleges examines local programs and state and federal policies designed to enhance opportunities for underserved students to enter and succeed in college, paying particular attention to community colleges. The volume focuses on academic pathways—boundary-spanning curricula, instructional strategies, and organizational structures that link high schools with two- and four-year colleges. Debra Bragg, Director of OCCRL and Professor of Higher Education and Elisabeth Barnett, senior research associate at Columbia University, serve as editors of this edition.

This publication, Toward the Future Vitality of Student Development: The Vision of the National Council on Student Development, summarizes insights gathered at a 2004 NCSD colloquium on the future of community college student development. The full report and summary presentations of scholars and leaders in the field are available to NCSD members. Non-members should contact the NCSD National Office at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 51 Gerty Drive, Room 129, Champaign, IL 61820, ph: 217-244-9390.

Technology Implementation in Community College Student Services - a brief exploring the uses of technology at community college student services.

Broad Mission, Public Image, and Private Funding: Can Community Colleges Have it All? - a brief that discusses the relationship of the community college mission to fundraising and development.

Awards and Recognition for Exceptional Teachers

by Hans Andrews

Hans Andrews' book, Awards and Recognition for Exceptional Teachers presents a case for K-12 schools and community colleges to develop strong teacher recognition programs. Improved student learning is a foundation goal of No Child Left Behind legislation. This book argues that outstanding teachers make significant contributions to learning improvements and should be recognized.

"Awards and Recognition for Exceptional Teachers is well worth reading and I urge that it be placed at the top of educators' must read lists." notes Dr. David Pierce, former President and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Andrews has more than 30 years of experience in developing recognition programs while providing for teacher evaluation accountability. A nationally recognized speaker, he has written six books including, Accountable Teacher Evaluation, Teachers Can Be Fired , and The Dual-Credit Phenomenon and 85 articles. His high school and community college background makes this book a practical and useful guide for anyone interested in improving the learning climate in schools.

Awards and Recognition for Exceptional Teachers, ISBN 0-9787158-02 (ISBN 978-0-9787158-0-9 in 2007) is available through Matilda Press, 1019 Lakewood Drive, Ottawa, IL 61350, andrewsha@sbcglobal.net, Amazon.com for $24.95, and can be ordered through numerous bookstores.

The Office of Community College Research and Leadership (OCCRL) was established in 1989 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Our primary mission is to provide research, leadership, and service to community college leaders and assist in improving the quality of education in the Illinois community college system. Projects of this office are supported by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), and are closely coordinated with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), along with other state, federal, and private and not-for-profit organizations. The contents of the UPDATE newsletter do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of OCCRL, the ICCB, or the ISBE.

STAFF

Debra D. Bragg, Ph.D. , Director, OCCRL and Professor, UIUC

Catherine Kirby, Ed.M., UPDATE Editor and Information Specialist, UIUC

Judith A. Sunderman, MBA, UPDATE Guest Editor and Graduate Research Assistant, UIUC

Linda Iliff, UPDATE Production Manager and Administrative Assistant, UIUC