ГРОМАДСЬКІ (КОММ’ЮНІТІ) КОЛЕДЖІ ЯК СКЛАДОВА СИСТЕМИ ВИЩОЇ ОСВІТИ США

Abstract

The article describes the features of public (community) US colleges as a part of the US system. This reference provides some aspects of the community college in America. The mission of America’s community colleges is focused on three areas of commitment: access, responsiveness to community need, and equity. It is found that US community colleges are focused primarily on meeting the needs of the local community and cooperation with it, providing training for local organizations and businesses. They offer a wide range of educational programs for the training specialists who are prepared directly for work in the workplace and continuing education (academic (associate degree), labor and vocational (vocational and occupational education) programs; programs in adult education and continuing education, ensuring the implementation of the concept of “life-long learning” corporate training programs for the needs of a particular company or organization, etc.), as well as providing correction a previous level of education and, in some cases, providing a complete secondary education. Community colleges in the United States have a considerable popularity, which is growing every year. Community colleges serve the region where they are located, usually a city and district. College students often study in various forms of education (day, evening, distance form) and have the opportunity to work during the day. The commitment to access is exemplified by the open admissions policies of community colleges and the multiple ways colleges remove financial, physical, and academic barriers to entry. That access has resulted in entry into higher education by first generation, low-income, minorities, dropouts, working adults, and others who lacked the financial, academic, time, or location means to participate in traditional higher education systems. The author summarizes the experience of public (community) US colleges through the prism of the feasibility of its implementation in the domestic educational practice. A special interest of educational manager of Ukrainian colleges is paid on issues concerning governance, financing, access into higher education and cooperation with employers at community colleges. This article will be valued by everyone interested in the past, present, and future of the community college in America.