f secondary education and as a downward extension of the university. In some states community colleges were established through popular vote.
In 1917 there were five accredited United States junior colleges; in 1920 there were more than 200. Transformation of other types of institutions, such as business schools, into two-year colleges and the development of junior colleges as part of universities spurred further growth. According to Eaton (1987), this period marked the introduction of vocational education to the curriculum.
In 1947, President Harry Truman's Commission on Higher Education advocated increased access to postsecondary education and called for tuition-free, public, two-year community colleges (Eaton, 1987). Eaton (1987) states that the increased access beginning with Truman's commission has encouraged vigorous expansion for a period of three decades. In the early 1990s more than 40 percent of all undergraduate students were enrolled in community colleges; almost 70 percent of these are first-time college students.
Blau and Presler-Marshall (1996) report that minority enrollment at community colleges, especially low-income, minority enrollment is disproportionately high when compared to four year colleges and universities. For example, African-American students comprise 10 percent of the student body at community colleges, while they only comprise 8 percent of the student body of four year institutions.
The high percentages of low-income minority students highlight the importance of determining how community colleges are or are not enhancing the academic and career prospects and achievements of these students. While there are many ways to examine for the effects of community colleges on low-income, minority students, one way is to examine for the effects of those features and characteristics common to most all community colleges. The central thrust of this review is comprised of reviewing studies w...