Others talked about the lack of a systemwide data base that could provide better information on which to base policy decisions. Many said that they perceive the State Board for Community Colleges as a weak effort to coordinate the entire system. Another concern mentioned frequently in reference to community colleges is the duplication of vocational programs with the technical centers under school district supervision. Virtually no statewide planning occurs that pulls together the various institutions responsible for vocational and occupational education in the state. The recent study of credit hours in the state called attention, once more, to the problems of articulation between educational sectors in Florida.
Many students transfer to four-year institutions prior to completing the associate's degree.
Some students transfer with 60 credits, but do not complete the general education course credits. Many transfer students may get credit for their course work, but that credit does not meet the specific requirements of individual institutions. One state official told us about several nursing programs in the community colleges with major differences in their course requirements to earn an associate's degree. Some members of the Legislature and their staff are currently trying to convene community college faculty to work through some of the confusion about various degree requirements. Because the Board of Education is made up of an elected cabinet whose members focus primarily on their own agencies or on K-12 education, virtually no attention is given to higher education policy issues.