Background/Context: In the last several decades, a college education, in particular the bachelor's degree, has become the key to higher earnings, and overall, to a middle-class lifestyle in the United States. In an increasingly globalized economy, privileging information and communication technologies, it is more than likely that this emphasis on…

A rite-of-passage program as a course of action for successfully transitioning Black young people into adulthood and fostering positive outcomes in their lives is the focus of this study. The program draws upon African traditional culture to impart values, improve self-concept, and develop cultural awareness. Utilizing data from a larger study,…

Background/Context: This essay reviews recent demographic literature on school transitions. I describe how a demographic perspective, by which I mean using methods that are standard in the study of population processes, is a useful way to examine differences in access to and completion of post secondary schooling in the United States.…

Project AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a four-year elective high school program that prepares underachieving, disadvantaged students to attend college. The program is now implemented in 58 secondary schools in San Diego County, California. (TE)

Evidence suggests that students throughout the nation are not being adequately prepared for post-secondary life and that students with disabilities face even greater post-school challenges (Wagner, Newman, Cameto, Garza, & Levine, 2005). In response to such evidence, many states and localities are initiating high school reform activities and,…

This article reports research involving collaboration between a developmental studies department and a mathematics department in an effort to increase the academic success of developmental students who transition into college-level math. Three separate projects were conducted with former developmental math students currently enrolled in an…

The report examines postsecondary developmental education for students denied regular admission to the institution. Addressed are such concerns as the evolution of developmental programs, the effect of developmental programs on the integrity of academic institutions, and the future of postsecondary developmental programs. The report's seven…

A study assessed the success of a University of Witwatersrand (South Africa) undergraduate bridging year in assisting underprepared business students to graduation. Subjects were 177 students from the country's black school system. Program participants had a statistically higher success rate in terms of both exam grades and graduation rate. (MSE)

This document presents 13 keynote addresses and major papers presented at the 1997 and 1998 conferences of the Pennsylvania Association of Developmental Educators. The papers are: (1) "Developmental Education: History of Implications" (Hunter Boylan, 1997 keynote speaker); (2) "Learning and Teaching in the 21st Century: Seven Habits of Highly…

In response to a District Student Services request, the Institutional Research Office of Miami-Dade Community College conducted a study of the new SLS intervention courses. The purpose of the research was to answer the following questions: 1) Did the SLS courses help in the retention of college preparatory students? 2) Did the SLS courses help…

Describes the five-week, tuition-free Prefreshman Summer Program developed by the College of Staten Island to reduce or eliminate the need for developmental courses during the academic year. The program includes intensive reading, writing, and mathematics instruction, supplemental tutoring, college orientation, counseling, and academic advising.…

This article explores the experiences of widening access students at two prestigious universities in Scotland. It is based on interview data collected from a small sample of young and mature students who had all attended a widening access course prior to coming to university. The analysis centres on the students' construction of themselves as…

The Alternative Freshman Year (AFY) program instituted at a community college extension of an eastern university can serve as a model for other developmental education programs. The program, now in its fourth year, helps to upgrade the language and math skills of academically and emotionally unprepared students. Students are admitted to the…

A 13-week developmental studies course offered at an Australian college and designed to help disadvantaged women make the transition to higher education, focused on both academic and nonacademic requirements for successful college study. Participants experienced significant changes in styles of learning and decision making. (MSE)

Addresses the role of higher education in responding to the academic and developmental needs of underprepared students. Describes some common characteristics of underprepared students. Explores the options of meeting the needs of these students with integrated versus separate services, presenting arguments for both sides. Discusses role of student…