Seeking a new partnership : a report of the Task Force on U.S. Community Colleges

Community Colleges, established by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in 1994 to identify and develop specific ways in which community colleges might help implement USAID"s strategies for sustainable development. Following introductory materials, including an overview of the Task Force"s mandate and findings, the report discusses the mutual interest among USAID and the nation"s community colleges in sustainable development and cost effective partnerships. Next, background information is provided on USAID and the nation"s community colleges, including maps of USAID missions worldwide and community colleges nationally. The next section discusses mechanisms and modes for cooperation used by community colleges, including consortia, partnerships, and contracts and grants, and by USAID, including technical assistance and training. The next three sections describe examples of community college functions that support USAID areas of concentration, use USAID operational approaches, and focus on USAID programs and methods. Three suggestions for pilot projects are then put forth in the areas of planning educational reform, training environmental workers, and language training. Finally, a list of recommendations for broadening the colleges" representation in USAID efforts are provided. Lists of Task Force members and community colleges and consortia cited in the report are appended. (ERIC abstract)