The introduction of an outcomes-based curriculum in South Africa together with a new syllabus for physical sciences for grades 10-12, prompted the development of an instrument to monitor conceptual understanding in chemistry at the secondary-tertiary interface. This instrument was used to evaluate placement within different programmes at tertiary…

To meet the needs of educationally disadvantaged college freshmen, a developmental reading program that emphasized student-generated questioning techniques was implemented at Manhattanville College (New York). The program was intended to help students comprehend and recall information from different subject areas and to organize complex topics…

The first portion of this paper discusses the procedure for placing freshmen in a remedial composition course at a small liberal arts college. The design of the basic skills test used for placement is criticized on the basis of the inappropriateness of both content and format (multiple choice) in determining which students required remedial…

Describes learning log assignments for college students in a developmental studies program. Notes that the assignments call for students to reflect on specific cognitive aspects of learning giving them the opportunity to explore their own thinking, evaluate their own progress, and promote metacognitive awareness. Describes learning log assignments…

Describes a critical thinking course in which students perform ongoing critical analyses of themselves. Argues that developmental students lack internalized knowledge. Discusses four questions that students answer throughout the course: "Who are you?""How did you get that way?""What do you want to become?" and "Who are you now?" (AJL)

A preparatory business program was developed to allow educationally disadvantaged business students enrolled in developmental studies (remedial reading, English, and math courses) to obtain a full course load of twelve or more hours without having to enroll in regular business courses. To develop a model business preparatory program for adaptation…

Describes a program to help students succeed in developmental mathematics courses, such as arithmetic, elementary algebra, and intermediate algebra. Provides information on program evaluation and how the program is funded. (YP)

This paper describes a one-semester remedial biology course for freshmen college students. It includes rationale for such a course at the college level, course content and organization, and instructional strategies associated with specific problem areas such as the inability of students to categorize and distinguish between categories. Appendices…

A basic writing course at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, serves students underprepared for first-year composition. The student population is culturally diverse, varying widely in ability and background. The course has evolved from a basic syllabus designed to teach writing skills to a more comprehensive, student-centered curriculum…

GAIN (Getting Assistance in Nursing) is a federally-funded program designed to recruit and retain high-risk nursing students. One aspect of the GAIN program is a three-credit developmental course to prepare educationally and economically disadvantaged students for required nursing courses. The course, "Success in Nursing," consists of two…

A course entitled "Strategies for Academic Success," conducted in the Division of Developmental Studies at the University of Georgia, is described. The sample syllabus focuses on self-awareness and can be adapted to meet the needs of other institutions. The course is designed to promote awareness and development of psychological, social,…

Special programs provided to low income, nontraditional students at Livingston College, New Jersey, are described. In the academic year 1978-79, 498 students were enrolled in special programs, over two-thirds were black and over one-half came from families with annual incomes of less than $6,000. Ninety-seven percent came from families with…