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An analysis of institutional goals of the public community colleges in the state of Wyoming
Abstract
This study examines the relationship between the present level "is" and the desirable level "should be" of 20 Outcome and Process goal areas as perceived by board members, administrators, and professional support staff in the Wyoming Community College System. Additionally, the variables of "Size" and "Structure" (FTE students, FTE faculty, and complexity of the organization) were applied to determine the affect on the "is/should be" responses. The design of the study is based on a cross-sectional survey to determine what exists and how it exists. The Community College Goals Inventory (CCGI) was used to collect the data from the total population (N = 211). The principal unit of analysis was the seven community colleges of the Wyoming System. The statistical analysis was conducted using mean scores calculated on responses on a five-point scale to determine ratings and discrepancies in each of the 20 goal areas. T-tests, ANOVA, and a Multi-factor Analysis of Variance were also conducted. The research questions formulated for this study (4) were tested at the.0025 alpha level. This study shows observable discrepancies between "is" and "should be" responses in the 20 goal areas in each of the colleges and between the colleges and the system as a whole. Discrepancies were noted between the "is" and "should be" responses between the large colleges and small colleges when the variable "Size" was applied as a factor. Also, smaller college respondents perceive themselves at a lower initial "is" than larger colleges. Yet, the smaller colleges project a generally higher "should be" level of goal attainment. The conclusion is that both observable and statistical discrepancies occur within and among colleges' respondents related to their perceptions of the "status quo" ("is") and desirable ("should be") level of goal attainment. Understanding the differences and the potential application of any number/type of variables will help in institutional reviews, allocation of funds, mission/role statements, recruiting, programming, and establishing the institutions within the local and state arena.
Subject Area
Community colleges
Recommended Citation
Fitch, Gregory Gus, "An analysis of institutional goals of the public community colleges in the state of Wyoming" (1989). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9004673.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9004673