With the federal government's emphasis on workforce development, community colleges have become important entities in the national policy agenda and have taken on renewed importance to states. This book provides a critical analysis of various federal, state, and institutional policies affecting community colleges at the start of the 21st century. Addressed to anyone interested in the future of the community college, the book first examines the national historical and cultural policy context affecting community colleges, including federal policies, state governance structures, and the impact of globalization. At the state level, authors focus on critical issues requiring policy decisions: links with K-12 education, workforce preparation, dual credit policies, tranfer and articulation, remediation, and technology. At the institutional level, policies on general education and student persistence are examined. The book concludes with a plea for a more critical approach to community college policy for the 21st century.