The effectiveness of two academic achievement courses in improving quality point averages (QPAs) of educationally disadvantaged students was compared. One of the voluntary study skills courses taught specific study skills (study orientation skills--SOS), while the other purported to teach students to think like achievers (achievement motivation…

Midlands Technical College has developed a model for a developmental science program which offers assistance to students through a three-phase "spanning for success" approach in which the transition from developmental to curriculum course work is gradual; and the developmental instructor works closely with the student from the time that s/he…

A developmental education evaluation model designed to be used at a multi-unit urban community college is described. The purpose of the design was to determine the cost effectiveness/worth of programs in order to initiate self-improvement. A needs assessment was conducted by interviewing and taping the responses of students, faculty, staff, and…

Suggests that community colleges respond to increasing numbers of students with inadequate reading skills through informal assessment of students' ability, focus on study and discovery skills, comprehension development strategies, and the linguistic approach. Considers future needs and facilities. (DMM)

Provides information on the definition, etiology, and incidence of dyslexia. Presents guidelines to help developmental educators identify and test dyslexic students. Suggests helping strategies and discusses the basics of language retraining in the areas of reading, spelling, and writing. Includes a 50-item bibliography. (DMM)

Pascarella and Terenzini developed five factorially derived institutional integration scales to operationalize Tinto's conceptual model of college student withdrawal. Some psychometric characteristics of these scales were estimated for disadvantaged students at an urban commuter college. The scales showed improved characteristics after item…

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)

Special admissions programs may offer access into higher education for students who, for various reasons, do not meet the institutions' standard admissions criteria. Once the special admissions status has been granted, these programs provide support to these students. This paper is not a critique of special admissions programs in general or…

This document discusses how in September 2001, 60 college presidents and 40 senior federal officials met in Ottawa, Canada to discuss different ways to improve Canada's educational system. The meeting was planned in order to strengthen Canada's ability to compete with other nations in the global market. The following are the three main goals of…

In keeping with 1997 Nevada legislation, the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) provides to the school districts of the state information about enrollments in remedial courses within the UCCSN and the costs associated with providing that instruction. Although remedial courses are provided to both recent high school graduates…

This examination of remedial instruction in institutions of higher education provides an analysis of the functions and purposes of remediation; a discussion of the types of remediation, who participates, and how well it serves them; an examination of the financial costs of remediation; an appraisal of the economic and social consequences of not…

Reviews the nine-stage Perry Scheme of Intellectual and Ethical Development, detailing three major student orientations--dualism, multiplicity, and commitments in relativism. Suggests techniques developmental educators can use to communicate with, support, and challenge students to promote intellectual development. Underscores the importance of…

Presents an interview with adult education specialist, Malcolm Knowles, in which he discusses: the changing profile of college students; lifelong learning; definitions of "adults" and their implications for instruction; self-directed learning; models of educational planning; seven procedures for implementing adult education theories; and the…

Advocates the use of both descriptive and prescriptive approaches to designing developmental studies programs in community colleges. Defines competency-based education (CBE) and examines five critical elements of CBE: educational framework, systematic structure, educational attainment, learning outcomes, and instructional processes. Discusses the…

Describes four conditions that lead to productive teacher/tutor relationships: teacher choice of a tutor; understanding by both of the goals of the program; mutual understanding of the nature and limits of each other's authority and responsibility; and tutors' presence at and observable involvement in each class. (AYC)