These two papers describe the City Colleges of Chicago's (CCC's) efforts to improve their developmental programs and services. First, a series of experimental programs designed to improve students' basic skills are outlined, including: (1) programs leading to a high school diploma and subsequent CCC enrollment offered by the Chicago Urban Skills…

A study was conducted at the University of Minnesota's General College to examine the relationship between probationary status and students' gender, ethnicity, and placement test scores. The study involved 186 students on Level 1 probation (i.e., students whose work had fallen below the academic standard for two quarters, including those whose…

This document presents the results of Miami-Dade Community College's three-year effort to design a general education program for the community college. A rationale, definition, and 26 goals for general education introduce the revised programs and requirements in three areas: (1) basic skills requirements, (2) the general education program, and (3)…

Spring 1998 surveys of faculty and students at University of Akron, Community and Technical (C&T) College (Ohio) queried respondents regarding their first-year experience with a faculty academic advising project. Forty of the 72 (55%) full-time C&T faculty responded, and 279 of 400 (70%) student surveys were returned. Faculty findings included:…

A study assessed the effectiveness of an institution's academic readmission conditions on the subsequent success of about 500 social science majors. Results show specific ethnic, age, and academic experience subgroups to be at highest risk. However, success among those readmitted was most related to gender, quality point deficit, and readmission…

During the 1995-96 school year, 425 middle and high school students in one school district received suspensions for the remainder of the school year from their regular schools. In an exploratory followup of outcomes for these students in the 1996-97 year, three groups were identified: one group of 109 students who were allowed to enroll at…

Employing measures of attributional styles and metacognitive reading behaviors, a study investigated whether a relationship exists between passive reading behaviors and extreme attributional styles (learned helplessness) in college students on academic probation. Attributional style and metacognitive strategies exhibited while reading college text…

This report reviews some of the comprehensive changes made by Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC) in its general education curriculum and overall academic environment, focusing specifically on the implementation of standards of academic progress, designed to monitor student progress and provide appropriate support. The report begins by examining…

In an effort to provide a platform from which all 108 California community colleges could address the problems and issues of grading policy, the California Community and Junior College Association developed and adopted an official position statement. The statement cites the need for flexibility within state regulations to allow for adjustments at…

Focusing on current grading practices, this report details a survey of 443 respondents from both four- and two-year institutions of higher education. The data are compared with a 1973-74 survey of the same institutions. Findings show that in general more stringent policies are enforced in the use of nontraditional grading practices, in making-up…

This research paper investigates whether or not students placed on academic probation react appropriately to Burton R. Clark's "cooling out" process--a process designed to encourage students to match their levels of aspiration with their abilities and interests--by changing to an alternate major. Using a sample of 1000 Cerritos College…

A trial program at Montana State University (MSU) was designed to enhance students' chances for academic success by running an experimental seminar for students suspended for the first time. A unique problem exists for MSU students suspended at the end of the spring quarter. Since summer school is not a quarter, those suspended for the first time…

Cuyahoga Community College (CCC), Western Campus, has developed an admissions/counseling cooperative program to assist underprepared, probationary, or academically dismissed students to effect positive changes in their educational record and personal lives. The program includes the following components: (1) computer monitoring of students' grades…

Since the implementation of an open admissions policy at Bronx Community College (BCC) in 1970, the majority of incoming students have been socially, economically, and academically disadvantaged. In 1978, one out of three students had a native language other than English; 46% came from households with an income of less than $5,000; 68% were placed…

The study described in this report was launched in Fall 1978 at Bronx Community College (BCC) to determine the efficacy of two procedures for enhancing the academic survival and study skills of students in academic difficulty. Introductory material looks at BCC's Operation Second Chance (OSC), one of these treatment procedures, which employs…