Lee Waller

Online Theological Education: A Case Study of Trinity School for Ministry

This article explores one seminarys methodology for addressing the challenges and opportunities that online theological education presents in a Master of Divinity program. An implementation model for online courses is presented to foster holistic theological development, thus ensuring the establishment and progression of a spiritual and learning community. Implications for research and practice in Christian higher education are discussed.

Disparities in Salaries: Metropolitan versus Nonmetropolitan Community College Faculty.

This article explores disparities in faculty salaries between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan Texas community colleges. The analysis reveals a significant difference in faculty salaries for the 2000 and 2005 academic years respectively. The study found no significant difference in the rate of change in faculty salaries from 2000 to 2005. Implications for policy and practice are identified.

Community College Funding.

This article presents a practitioners funding model indicative of the primary revenue streams of community colleges in Texas. Methodology is developed to identify internal and external processes for the comparison of these primary revenue streams on a per-contact-hour basis. Student tuition, ad valorem property tax, maintenance taxing district, and state appropriation revenues are analyzed to provide a framework for the subsequent development of methodologies to identify disparities in the Texas community college funding mechanism.

Demographics of Students in Christian Higher Education: A National Study of Part-Time Enrollment, Ethnicity, and Gender.

The research reported in this paper examined fall 2005 enrollment status, ethnicity, and gender for Christian and public colleges and universities awarding four-year degrees. Data were extracted from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The study included 235 Christian and 659 public colleges and universities. The indicated demographics were analyzed for fall 2005, then evaluated for disparities between Christian and public institutions. Statistical differences in the percentage of part-time enrollments, ethnicity, and female students were identified. Suggestions for improved practice and further research are provided.

Texas Community College Funding: Nonmetropolitan and Metropolitan Ad Valorem Tax Rates and Revenue

This article examines ad valorem tax rates per

TEXAS TECH PREP ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN OF PARTNER OPINIONS: AN ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTIVENESS

100 valuation and the resultant tax revenues per in-district contact hour for Texas nonmetropolitan and metropolitan public community colleges. The results of the analyses indicate no difference in ad valorem tax rates between these institutions but demonstrate differences in the resultant tax revenues. Recommendations for further research are provided.

NAVIGATING THE CURRENTS OF CERTIFICATION: A CASE STUDY OF HISPANIC BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL

Tech Prep is a federal education initiative funded by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act initially authorized in 1990 then reauthorized in 1998. Texas HB 2401 subsequently established the parameters for the operation of Tech Prep in Texas. Texas has 26 regional consortia that coordinate the delivery of services between secondary school districts and two-year colleges under the leadership of consortium directors. The research reported in this paper examined the effectiveness of these consortia based upon an opinion survey administered to Texas Tech Prep consortia directors, community college technical administrators, and secondary technical program directors.

A National Study of Community College Retention Rates Segmented by Institutional Degree of Urbanization

This article examines the experiences of Hispanic Baptist Theological School (HBTS) through the institutions successful navigation of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Boards (THECB) process to obtain certification of authority to grant a bachelor of arts degree in Biblical/Theological Studies. Interviews with the HBTS president, HBTS academic dean, and a THECB program specialist are summarized to provide insight into the strengths and challenges of the Texas certification process. Policy implications are identified based on the interview responses.