Quiz for Key Concepts Chapter 1: College Success

Key Concepts 1: Reading and Writing Across the Disciplines

Additional Reading Quizzes – Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Name: _______________________________________________________________________

Community Colleges in the United States

The community college system is unique to the United States. The first community colleges (originally called junior colleges) started over 100 years ago in a few locations around the country to allow high school graduates the opportunity to pursue one or two years of higher education or occupational training without having to leave their communities. Typically, community college courses were paid for by the local community and, as a result, were offered free or at very low cost. Today, community colleges have grown into a vast system of publicly supported and semi-independent institutions that enroll over 10 million students every year.

Community colleges offer four kinds of programs.

1. Transfer programs. These are two-year programs that allow students to earn credits that can be transferred to a four-year institution of higher learning. After two years of study at a community college, a student earns an associate’s degree and then transfers to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree. About 35 percent of students who earn associate’s degrees choose to transfer to a 4-year college.

2. Occupational programs. These are certificate programs in practical or technical fields such as construction, auto mechanics, or nursing. Generally, such courses have been prepared with input from local business leaders to ensure that they meet the needs of employers in the community.

3. Remedial programs. These programs help a student make up deficiencies in basic academic skills such as reading, writing, or math.

4. Continuing education. Also known as “lifelong learning,” this component allows students to pursue a special interest such as art, gardening, or French literature.

A. Read the following statements about the reading. If the statement is true, write a T in the blank. If it is false, write an F in the blank.

_____ 1. Originally, the purpose of community colleges in the United States was to provide the first two years of a four-year education.

_____ 2. Community colleges have changed very little since they first started over 100 years ago.

_____ 3. Community colleges used to be called “junior colleges.”

_____ 4. More than 10 million students graduate from community colleges every year.

_____ 5. Community colleges were designed so that local residents could attend school in their own community.

B. Read the following statements and choose the best answer.

1. Community colleges in the United States today are

a. free to members of the community.

b. supported by private individuals.

c. part of a large system of institutions.

2. Community college students who intend to get a bachelor’s degree

a. enroll in the school’s transfer program.

b. pursue special classes in the lifelong learning program.

c. must first complete a remedial program.

3. Students who are enrolled in the community college occupational program earn a(n)

a. associate’s degree.

b. certificate.

c. special interest diploma.

4. Students who need extra help with math or writing can enroll in

a. transfer programs.

b. remedial programs.

c. occupational programs.

5. An example of an occupational program is one which leads to a certificate in

a. French literature.

b. mathematics.

c. nursing.