The Study On Rural Community College Initiative In The United States

With the help of our country, colleges of higher vocational education and training got fast development, but the colleges in less developed areas still facing many problems and challenges. As a part of higher education in the United States, rural community colleges facing the similar problems. They didn’t produce the positive influence on improving access to higher education and economical development, because of this, The Ford Foundation implement RCCI in1994to address those problems. In2002, the initiative marked effective. This study described the evolvement, main content, implementation strategies of RCCI, and want to draw some experience from RCCI.First, the evolvement of RCCI. This chapter introduces the background of RCCI, for instance, challenges facing rural America and rural community colleges. The basis of RCCI------The Parkersburg Study. Lastly, it analyze the condition of RCCI areas and RCCI community colleges.Second, the main contents of RCCI. The twin goal of RCCI is improving educational access and economic development. RCCI was grounded in a philosophy consisting of five principles:Rural America matters. Healthy communities focus on their assets. Change begins with self-assessment. Effective change requires collaboration. Equity and high expectations should undergird education and economic development goals.Third, The Implementation Strategy for Rural Community College Initiative. There are two goals for rural community college, and if they want to achieve the twin goal, they have to strengthen their own capacity first, for example, institutional cultures, a new leadership styles, and organizational infrastructure. In terms of increasing access to higher education, it must emphasize partnerships with secondary schools and businesses, Alternative delivery systems, Academic support services, Holistic approaches to access. In terms of improving local economy, it includes entrepreneurship and small business development programs, workforce training activities, partnerships and alliances for regional economic development.Forth, Circumstances That Affected Success. There are many facts that affect the successfulness of rural community college Initiative. It includes Leadership, Commitment, Local context, State policy, K-12relationships, College capacity.Fifth, the enlightenments for colleges of higher vocational education and training in less developed areas. Through the discussion and analysis of RCCI, this dissertation tried to explore some useful solutions for colleges of higher vocational education and training in less developed areas:1. develop a Multi-Channel Fund-Raising mechanism, promote the higher vocational colleges.2. make clear school orientation, integrate community resources, based on local need, strengthen the partnership between college and community.3. improve headmaster leadership, frame a energetic institutional culture.4. establish delivery system, strengthen the contact between classes and local needs.