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  3. Community College Community Colleges, institutions of higher education offer two-year programs of general study or technical

Community College Community Colleges, institutions of higher education offer two-year programs of general study or technical

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问题                            Community College
    Community Colleges, institutions of higher education offer two-year programs of general study or technical or vocational training. Many students receive the first two years (freshman and sophomore years) of postsecondary education at community colleges before pursuing a bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution. Community colleges offer a variety of programs and degrees, including certificate programs that require less than two years of work in a specific field of study; terminal associate degrees in professional and technical programs; and associate degrees that may be transferred toward the completion of a bachelor’s degree. Most community colleges are nonprofit, public institutions supported by state and local taxes, but there are also independent schools that operate on a for-profit basis.
    Two-year postsecondary institutions were first established in the United States in the early 20th century. These schools were called junior colleges because their main function was to offer only the beginning level of general college study. Credits earned at junior colleges could be transferred to another institution where students could complete their final years of college, Now called community colleges, these two-year institutions still offer courses of general academic study to recent high school graduates. However, they also try to serve the educational needs of a greater segment of the community, including older students and workers. Today, most community colleges 6ffer technical, vocational and adult education programs in addition to general academic programs.
    For many students, community colleges offer distinct advantages over four-year institutions. For example, most public community colleges charge comparatively low tuition rates, so a greater segment of the community can afford to attend. Public community colleges also have relatively flexible admissions policies. They generally require only a high school diploma or its equivalent, an application to the institution, and occasionally acceptance into one of the institution’s programs. Community colleges strive to offer courses in convenient locations, so students may enroll in institutions near their homes. In addition, the schools attempt to offer courses at convenient times, allowing many students to attend on a part-time basis while they work.
    In 1996 there were 1462 two-year colleges in the United States, including 1047 public institutions and 415 private institutions. Nearly all of these schools are members of the American Association of Community Colleges, which represents member institutions before public legislatures, conducts educational research, monitors national trends, and publishes information on issues affecting community colleges. Two-year institutions in the United States enroll approximately 5.5 million students annually who take courses for college credit. Nearly half of all first-year college students in the United States are enrolled in two-year institutions. In Canada, most community colleges are members of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC). Canadian community colleges offer a similar range of programs as those in the United States. They serve approximately 375,000 full-time and 180,000 part-time students.
    Community colleges typically offer a wide range of programs to meet the educational needs of a varied student population. These programs include (1) courses in the arts and sciences and other general academic areas to provide a foundation for students planning to transfer to four-year colleges; (2) technical, vocational programs and courses; (3) developmental programs designed to provide a range of needed academic and living skills, such as courses in English as a second language for non-English speaking immigrants; and (4) part-time continuing (adult) education in general, cultural, and vocational studies.
    Students planning to transfer their credits to four-year colleges take community college courses in the liberal arts and sciences. Many community colleges have special arrangements with one or more four-year colleges to facilitate the transfer of course credits. As at four-year institutions, community colleges typically arrange instruction in the arts and sciences by academic department. For example, students at community colleges may take courses in such departments as history, biology, or political science.
    The vocational and technical programs provide training for a variety of positions in the workforce. They are designed to prepare students for entry-level employment positions, help them to upgrade and improve existing skills, or prepare them for job changes into different fields. Community colleges must therefore respond quickly to employment and economic trends in the communities they serve. Many community colleges have established advisory committees whose members represent the businesses, industries, and public agencies in the community. Such committees update the college on local employment needs and trends. Community colleges can also draw upon professionals, businesses, and service agencies in the district for off-campus applied learning arrangements. Among the courses of study offend in these programs are graphic design, automotive-service technology, computer information systems, criminal justice, hotel-motel management, health-related fields, and real estate.
    Developmental programs at community colleges help students improve their basic academic and learning skills for continuing education, usually on a part-time basis. Many of these students are immigrants who may have limited English or reading skills. Developmental programs typically include programs to gain citizenship, develop literacy, and learn English as a second language. Most community colleges also offer developmental programs to prepare students for the General Educational Development (GED) test, which gives adults who did not graduate from high school the opportunity to earn the equivalent of a high school diploma.
    Adult-education courses, which may be for credit or noncredit, are based on students’ personal needs as well as those of the community. They include courses that relate to social, intellectual, and recreational interests, such as nutrition, travel, cooking, interior design, antiques, drama, and the arts. Many community colleges also offer programs for children and teenagers. Unlike students at many four year institutions, students at community colleges live at home rather than in dormitories or other student housing on the campus. For this reason, fraternities (兄弟会) and sororities (姐妹会) are either absent or are not a major feature at student life at community colleges.
    Two-year college students reflect the same diversity of race, gender, and culture as students at four year institutions. Many of the students in community colleges have recently graduated from high school and range from 18 to 20 years of age. However, community colleges also have a large number of what are sometimes called nontraditional students, or older adults who take courses for occupational training and personal interests rather than for academic credits. An increasing number of students, estimated at between 10 and 20 percent of total enrollments, already have college degrees. These students attend community colleges to upgrade their skills, move into new careers, or to learn more about a topic of personal interest.
Adult-education courses are always made up of three aspects including ______.
选项
答案social, intellectual, and recreational interests
解析 文中倒数第二段提到“They include courses that relate to social，intellectual，and recreational interests．”
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