Book Description

The Commission to Improve Minority Education (CIME) was established in 1990 to address problems hindering the education of ethnic minorities at community colleges. This report features the CIME action agenda for the national community college system for improving recruitment, retention and transfer rates of minority students. Part I features a prefatory message from the Commission, while part II includes a foreword from the Commission chair. Part III, "The Challenge that Words Alone Cannot Solve," is divided into five sections: (1) "The Nation's Community Colleges: Shouldering the Challenge," highlighting the role of the community colleges in providing access to education for minorities; (2) "Mandate for a Community College Action Agenda," detailing the foundations of the agenda in terms of the needs for improving minority opportunities; (3) "Making the Commitment: It's in Our Best Interest," describing the benefits of diversity for educational systems, public officials, and the business sector; (4) "In Support of Recommendations Made by Other National Organizations," acknowledging important statements on minority education by other organizations; and (5) "The Time for Community College Action is Now," stressing the importance of immediate action. Part IV presents the action agenda, providing recommendations at the national, state and college levels, and stressing five key elements: commitment, policy, information, leadership, and collaboration. Part V features appendixes providing descriptions of exemplary minority education programs at community colleges, a summary of testimony presented at CIME hearings, a cultural diversity self-assessment instrument for colleges, and a 33-item bibliography. Finally, part VI provides a list of CIME members, while part VII presents acknowledgements. (MAB)