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Education Higher

Canada's Community Colleges

A Critical Analysis

by (author) John D. Dennison & Paul Gallagher

Publisher
UBC Press
Initial publish date
Jan 1986
Category
Higher
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9780774844925
    Publish Date
    Nov 2011
    List Price
    $99.00
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780774802499
    Publish Date
    Jan 1986
    List Price
    $27.95

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Out of print

This edition is not currently available in bookstores. Check your local library or search for used copies at Abebooks.

Description

Community colleges evolved in Canada during the "golden years" of educational innovation between 1960 and 1975. A diversity of factors - historical, socio-economic, political and educational - contributed to the development of college systems with distinctive goals and structures. This book is the first up-to-date and comprehensive study of a potent national educational and social phenomenon, largely unknown and largely unappreciated.

The authors describe provincial and territorial college systems as they have evolved to 1985, discussing problems particular to each system and evaluating the extent to which often idealistic early goals have been realized. They identify key issues which are critical to the future of these systems and which, if ignored, will undermine community college education across Canada. These include accessibility, identity, relations with governments, management and leadership, and evaluation and accountability. In each case the authors draw upon their own expertise and experience to describe directions for resolution of these issues.

The book contains a comprehensive and topical bibliography of both published and unpublished material related to many aspects of Canadian community college development. It also includes a French language bibliography.

Unique in many aspects, this book is designed to interest both graduate and undergraduate students in adult and higher education and administration as well as those directly involved in community colleges, government education ministries and a broad lay public.

 

About the authors

Contributor Notes

John D. Dennison is a professor of higher education at the University of British Columbia. Paul Gallagher is the President of Vancouver Community College.

Editorial Reviews

A comprehensive and important overview of the issues that will face the postsecondary system -- and those determining educational policy -- over the next decade.

Canadian Book Review Annual

This book provides an up-to-date report card on the successes and failures of the two distinguishing characteristics of Canada’s community colleges. This is an important book for anyone who wants to keep au courant with the community college scene in Canada.

McGill Journal of Education