The History of the General Curriculum of Forest Park Community College in Saint Louis, Missouri From its Beginning to Fall, 1971.

Since its inception in 1965 the General Curriculum Program at Forest Park Community College (Missouri) has fluctuated within identifiable limits and evolved from a totally non-credit situation to one of developmental credit that could count as elective units in degree and transfer programs. The program has shifted from a 2-semester to a 1-semester program. Problems recurring are faculty turnover, unrealistic expectations of students and faculty, faculty-centered decision making without student input, and inadequacy in the areas of communication among staff, consistent, systematic institutional research, and interrelatedness among courses. One of the reasons for the existence of the General Curriculum as a separate division was to create the possibility of an interrelated curriculum. This possibility has never been realized. Despite the shortcomings of the General Curriculum it is regarded as a successful attempt in remedial education by many students and faculty members. (MN)