In spring 1988, Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC), in Palos Hills, Illinois, implemented "College Success," a course to increase student academic performance and improve college retention. Students in the course learned a variety of techniques to help them succeed in college, including note-taking skills, time management, memory…

This paper describes the development of the University of Georgia's Division of Developmental Studies--a program providing special developmental instruction to students who otherwise would not have been admitted to the school. It consists of four components: English, mathematics, reading, and counseling. The objectives of each of these components…

The tables presented in this report measure the effectiveness of Shelby State Community College's Academic and Developmental Services (ADS) Division, providing data on assessment and placement results, enrollment, retention, grade distribution, and progress of currently enrolled students who entered the college in fall 1987 or 1988. Highlighted…

A program for nontraditional students is described that was implemented at Livingston College/Rutgers University during the fall 1980 semester. The Freshman Studies Program (FSP) had two purposes: (1) to provide a more supportive structure and environment for developmental studies students and (2) to facilitate efforts to both deliver services and…

Developmental education programs can use innovative ways to improve minority learning and persistence.

In an effort to assess the effectiveness of its developmental studies program, Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio undertook a study of first-time college students who began their studies at the college in Fall 1991. The study sought to determine the relationship between level of remediation and retention, college-level English or math…

In spring 1992, a program was initiated at San Jose City College (SJCC) in California to assist underprepared student entering reading, writing, and math courses below the level of transfer English and math courses. The program entitled Gateway U (GU), included the following components: weekly surveys of students during the first 4 weeks of class…

The 1983-1984 evaluation of the TRIO/Special Services program at the University of Minnesota, General College, is presented. Program goals and course descriptions for the integrated course of study are described, as are counseling and tutoring services, student eligibility, and characteristics of program participants. A demographic profile for…

A retrospective comparative analysis of data collected between 1975 and 1979 was undertaken at Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC) to quantitatively determine the impact of WCCC's developmental education program on: (1) the persistence and academic performance of underprepared students; (2) the college's financial situation; and (3) the…

The extent of postsecondary remedial studies in the United States was investigated in 1983-1984, along with characteristics of current programs, and measures of program effectiveness. Reliable national estimates were sought on: the number and type of courses offered; the percent of students taking remedial courses and recent enrollment changes;…

In spring 1985, a study was conducted to evaluate the basic skills program of San Joaquin Delta College (SJDC). The study focused on student demographics, skill growth, the effects of basic skills classes on performance in other classes, retention rates, self-confidence, assessment scores related to course selection/performance, and re-entry…

Developmental reading programs in traditionally black colleges and universities were compared with their white counterparts for 1979-80. Major areas of analysis were as follows: institutional characteristics, enrollment and retention, faculty status, program design, instructional delivery, course credit, and funding. A total of 113 two-year and…

Nearly one-quarter of students in community colleges leave school during the first year of enrollment for reasons other than transfer or credential completion. Generally, nontraditional community college students drop out within their first year at higher rates than do traditional students. Using data from Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges…

The Goal Center Plan at Donnelly College, Kansas City, which is designed to provide high-risk students, usually adults, with the basic skills, study habits, and attitudes to succeed in regular courses, is described. Based on placement tests, high-risk students are encouraged to take the following three-credit courses: essentials of English,…

This paper, presented at an international conference, addresses the ways in which the U.S. federal government has attempted since 1965 to use higher education as a means to equalize opportunity in American society. Over the years, the original federal need-based student aid programs changed and began to focus more on student supportive services…