Reports on an effort to better understand the impasse and create conditions for constructive local discussions and reforms relating to multiculturalism. Reports how a group of developmental education professionals in a large, interdisciplinary developmental education unit understand multiculturalism. Explores the potentials and challenges involved…

Explores the realities of change facing a successful junior college which must become a regional four-year university. Identifies and discusses (in a response by William G. White Jr.) the problems and issues relative to the developmental program at Evans County Junior College on the eve of its conversion to regional university--Jan Norton…

Argues that instructors involved in academic assistance must become familiar with the academic demands their students face in different content courses. Discusses four methods to gather such information, and shows how to identify relevant strategies for students to practice with actual course texts. (SR)

Claims developmental education has been the central medium of upward social mobility for the American lower and middle classes. Outlines the accomplishments of developmental educators as well as the national trends that bear directly upon the work of developmental educators. (NH)

This paper describes one academic's experiences in utilizing a database management system, dBase II, with an Apple IIe microcomputer for record keeping and reporting. Initial problems created by processing data by hand or by a central computer system are described, and the selection process for a microcomputer purchase and software package (dBase…

Unless questions about student performance and student retention can be answered and unless educators are proactive in finding and publicizing such information, basic writing programs cannot determine if what they are doing is working. Hard data, especially from underrepresented groups, is needed to support these programs. At Arizona State…

Describes background and content of a library skills course paired with an English composition course in a developmental studies program for high risk university students. Several principles for teaching developmental students are listed, and suggestions for pairing courses are offered. (nine references) (MES)

Argues that instructional problems in South African higher education are related to professional development issues for faculty and to intellectual development issues for students. Views these issues as linked to curriculum development and sees a role for developmental studies programs, previously student-focused, in faculty development and…

This fastback provides an overview of developmental education at the college level, focusing on what the concept means and how developmental education programs work. Developmental education is an umbrella term that includes both academic and social/psychological support services for underprepared students. Developmental education students are…

Successful college instruction programs have two features that are associated with increased grade point averages and retention: (1) they are comprehensive and meet student needs, and (2) they are better institutionalized into the academic mainstream of the college or university. Several program characteristics are crucial to learning improvement,…

Program descriptions, articles, an annotated bibliography, and a survey report on programs and services for students who are underprepared for college work as freshmen are presented. The survey report considers program design and delivery strategies at about 300 colleges, and the program descriptions concern: advising, basic skills instruction and…

Sponsored by a special interest group of the International Reading Association, the focus of this journal issue is on college reading improvement. Chapter titles include "College Level Developmental Reading and Study Skills Programs: Survey Report and Overview"; "Providing Assistance to College Science Teachers"; "Sitting in on Doctors Pompous and…

This booklet provides some guidelines for preparing African American students for college. Parents' experiences with higher education are a key to shaping their expectations for their children, and the lack of direct parental experience can be a handicap for students who will be the first generation of their families to attend college. Educators…

This report, an early component of a forthcoming set of publications intended to assist colleges and universities in building more effective programs for minority undergraduate and graduate students, provides short descriptions of 18 exemplary efforts to enhance the participation and success of minority students in higher education (including the…

Information on the Higher Education Opportunity Programs (HEOP) at private colleges and universities in New York is provided. HEOP provides supportive services and financial aid to state residents attending private institutions in the state. The objective is to meet the special needs of students from disadvantaged backgrounds through such…