Community Colleges: A Viable Solution for Latin America?
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| Title: | Community Colleges: A Viable Solution for Latin America? |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Castro, Claudio de Moura, Bernasconi, Andres, Inter-American Development Bank, Washington, DC. |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 23 |
| Publication Date: | 2000 |
| Document Type: | Opinion Papers Speeches/Meeting Papers |
| Descriptors: | Academic Achievement, Access to Education, Adult Education, Associate Degrees, Basic Skills, College Faculty, College Instruction, Community Colleges, Distance Education, Dual Enrollment, Economic Development, Educational Improvement, Educational Innovation, Foreign Countries, Private Financial Support, Private Sector, Social Mobility, Two Year Colleges |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the United States community college as a model for adaptation in Latin America. The author argues that there is a growing frustration with the lack of responsiveness of universities to the development needs of societies in Latin America. Higher education continues to be accessible only to the privileged segments of society there. In addition, there is limited availability of technical education in these universities. Latin America's extant postsecondary technical training institutions' links with industry and business for curriculum development and technical assistance provision are weak or absent. In addition, there is little flexibility in program design and delivery, general education is not offered alongside technical training, and there is no possibility of transferring credits earned to a university program. The public sector in Latin America, according to the paper, lacks the flexibility it needs to replicate the United States community college. This author suggests that in Latin America, the private sector should take the responsibility of investing in the development of a form of community college. Though it would seem natural for the public sector to take charge of community college development, in the present climate it would need subsidies from the private sector as well. (NB) |
| Entry Date: | 2002 |
| Accession Number: | ED463802 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the United States community college as a model for adaptation in Latin America. The author argues that there is a growing frustration with the lack of responsiveness of universities to the development needs of societies in Latin America. Higher education continues to be accessible only to the privileged segments of society there. In addition, there is limited availability of technical education in these universities. Latin America's extant postsecondary technical training institutions' links with industry and business for curriculum development and technical assistance provision are weak or absent. In addition, there is little flexibility in program design and delivery, general education is not offered alongside technical training, and there is no possibility of transferring credits earned to a university program. The public sector in Latin America, according to the paper, lacks the flexibility it needs to replicate the United States community college. This author suggests that in Latin America, the private sector should take the responsibility of investing in the development of a form of community college. Though it would seem natural for the public sector to take charge of community college development, in the present climate it would need subsidies from the private sector as well. (NB) |
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