History of the Community College

Module #1

Pamela L. EddyEPPL 632

Community College Administration

Timeline—Eras

Context

• Roots in the expansion of higher education opportunities in the late 1800s & 1900s• Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890• Increase in HS graduates (30% 1924-75%

1960)• What’s in a name?

• 1900-1940s—Junior Colleges (1st two years)• 1950s-1960s—Community College (publicly

supported-comprehensive)

Impetus for Community Colleges

• Provide first two years of a university education

• Extension of high schools• Filled gap between compulsory education

and universities• Programming for vocational education• Continuing education function• Local advocacy

Pattern of Growth

• 1909—20 • 1919—170 • 1922—207 (in 37 of the 48 states)• 1930—440 (all but 5 of the states)• 1940—610• 1970—1141 • 1998—1244 (growing in students/campus)

Campus Size 1997

• Small (1/3) 2300 or fewer

• Mid-Size (1/3) 2300 – 5400

• Large (1/3) 5400 – 30000 +