You asked if the state reimburses or subsidizes non-credit courses at the community technical colleges (CTC). You also wanted to know, for a typical semester, how many courses are offered (1) during the day, (2) during the evening, and (3) on weekends.

SUBSIDIZATION OF NON-CREDIT COURSES

According to Wally Kostrzewa, Director of Government Relations for the CTCs, the state does not subsidize, reimburse, or otherwise pay the cost of non-credit courses. The money for non-credit courses comes from the student, his employer, a grant, or any other source except the state. The only exception is when the state earmarks part of its appropriation to fund specific instructional programs it deems important to the state's purposes.

COURSE OFFERINGS FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

The CTCs offer credit and non-credit courses. Credit courses are called "academic offerings," and are listed in the CTCs' bulletins every semester. These courses are part of the programs in liberal studies or general studies, both of which are designed for students intending to transfer to a four-year institution. Non-credit courses fall into two basic categories: workforce development and personal development. As of December 1, 2001, workforce development courses accounted for 63% of the CTCs' non-credit offerings, and personal development courses for 37%. Kostrzewa notes, however, that some students take personal development courses to enhance their workplace skills, so the numbers may be higher.

The exact number of hours offered is unclear, because the courses vary in length and duration. The CTCs provided the following table, which illustrates both the number of sections offered and the total enrollment during each time period. Some sections did not offer start time data, and so are listed as "blank. " Others did not fit into any descriptive day category, and so are listed as "other. "

Table 1. Non-Credit Workforce Development Courses

JG: eh