Many earlier attempts at education reform have failed, causing some
critics to call for a much more expansive wave of reform in which
learning becomes a central focus. O'Banion presents an argument for the
community college, with its strong penchant for innovation and
risk-taking, as the ideal forum for creating this new learning paradigm.
He proposes a provocative new concept called 'the learning college, '
which is designed to help students make passionate connections to
learning. The book describes in detail the six key principles that form
the definition and character of a learning college. Emerging models of
this concept are already in place at a handful of community colleges,
and six of these pioneering institutions share their initial journeys in
this book. O'Banion provides a practical guide for community college
leaders who are preparing their institutions to enter the 21st century