Objective: Developmental education provides postsecondary students requisite skills to take credit-bearing coursework. Yet, racial disparities exist in which students are most likely to be placed into developmental education. The present study investigates how multiple measures of students' mathematics background ameliorate racial disparities in…

Addresses administrative questions surrounding the design of remedial programs. Focuses on administrative support, organizational structure, internal program design, testing programs, and program outcomes. Lists factors to be considered in designing and evaluating developmental studies programs. (AYC)

Reports on a survey of Texas community college libraries conducted to determine to what extent library services were offered to developmental programs and students and the impact of these services on academic achievement. (AYC)

Discusses mainstreaming and centralization, two ways in which community colleges organize developmental education. Compares these models in terms of instructional quality, ancillary services, teacher characteristics, student reactions, reputation, and remediation. Offers recommendations to college administrators and state policy makers for…

Makes a distinction between developmental and remedial programs and suggests reasons for the difficulty in evaluating these programs. Identifies basic limitations in educational research, factors found in successful programs, questions to be considered in selecting and formulating the evaluation design, and five useful educational research…

Based on a review of research and literature on student academic performance, provides an overview of the state of basic skills (developmental) instruction in the two-year college. Discusses the characteristics of successful basic skills programs. (DMM)

Reports on a study of the status of remedial education as perceived by state directors of community/junior colleges. Looks at findings related to definitions, mission, funding, coordination/administration, providers, and current status. Offers recommendations in each of these areas. (DMM)

Urges two-year colleges to embrace the academic education of underprepared students as part of their institutional mission, provide appropriate remedial courses for students with lower academic skills, and offer workshops and training sessions for faculty to equip them with the skills needed to properly assist and teach these students. (DMM)

Describes the ASSET, a student success system for two-year institutions designed for student advising, placement, and retention. The American College Testing (ACT) Program's Underprepared Student Follow-up Report (UPSFUR) indicated a successful completion rate for developmental courses. States that UPSFUR can be used to determine placement program…

Summarizes the literature on developmental reading and writing programs by discussing strategies for addressing remedial needs and obstacles to remediation. Presents the results of internal evaluations of developmental reading programs conducted at four colleges. Defines 16 strategies used by community colleges to implement effective remedial…

Examines and evaluates three approaches used by community colleges to provide academic assistance to educationally underprepared students: offering compensatory programs and services as electives; requiring certain students to participate in skills courses; and offering basic skills instruction as part of regular courses. (DMM)