The Bush administration has indicated that it plans to be tough on colleges as the Higher Education Act is renewed next year, but the president hinted Wednesday that he approves of the job that community colleges are doing.

During his first news conference in months, President Bush was asked whether his administration had plans for dealing with changes in the work force and the economy. Mr. Bush replied that community colleges play an important role in retraining workers.

"I look forward to working with our community colleges through the Department of Education," he said. "They're more adaptable. Their curriculums are easier to change. They're accessible. Community colleges are all over the place."

Mr. Bush visited Northern Virginia Community College last month and toured some nursing and information-technology programs there. David S. Baime, director of government relations for the American Association of Community Colleges here, said the president had shown a great deal of interest in the college's efforts at training displaced workers.

"We certainly have been aware that the president has had a positive image of community colleges since his time in Texas," said Mr. Baime. "But we're still extremely pleased that he understands the role we play." Mr. Bush served as governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000.

Community-college officials have grumbled privately that the Bush administration largely has ignored two-year colleges, not even bothering to appoint an official community-college liaison in the Department of Education, a job that existed under President Bill Clinton. The former president also visited community colleges repeatedly and even mentioned them in a State of the Union address.

For his part, Mr. Baime was pleased to see community colleges in the limelight on Wednesday. "For No. 43 to acknowledge us like this," he said, "it's good PR."