| The Washington Community College Act of 1967 created a system of community college districts to serve the educational needs of adults within the State. In this dissertation an attempt was made to answer the question: "What role did various constituencies play influencing the 1967 Community College Act and how did they view questions of access, mode of control, and finance in the years leading toward 1967?" The results of the investigation illustrate a variety of contributions.; The dissertation extensively utilized four sources not previously employed beyond cursory examination. These included the papers of the State Board for Community College Education; Governor Daniel J. Evans; the Joint Committee on Education, Washington State Legislature; and the papers of Charles E. Odegaard, former President of the University of Washington.; The manuscript emphasized the development of the junior college as an integral part of Progressive education reform of the early twentieth century and reviewed the importance of access in the early development of junior colleges.; The dissertation reviewed legislation and significant studies concerning junior colleges from the late 1930s through the mid-1950s, analyzing their contributions to the development of the junior community college system of Washington. It also described the efforts and positions of key individuals, interest groups, institutions and agencies in the twelve-year movement toward passage of the 1967 Washington Community College Act.; The Washington community college system had deep, historical roots, truly rising out of the mainstream of American educational history. It also represented a unique response to unique needs and situations within Washington in the 1960s.; Other key findings include information on studies which contributed to the shaping of community college legislation and strong evidence of the key roles played by senior educational institutions and their leaders, state officials, and legislators, community college presidents, and state labor leaders.; The dissertation concluded with an analysis of key state legislation and suggestions for further study. |
