Working collaboratively can be uncomfortable and bewildering, especially for developmental students. It is common for students to be anxious about their first experience with group work, and often they have a lot of questions about grading, cooperation, and what might happen if the group does not get along. The amount of time and variety of ways…

A study was conducted to compare remedial/developmental programs of study in the community college system of Kansas with those offered by the state's university system for the fiscal year 1985. Study findings included the following: (1) all of the Regents' universities and all of the state's community colleges offered remedial/developmental…

In an effort to help basic skills students learn the skills they need to survive in college-level studies and remediate critical areas as quickly as possible, many community colleges have overlooked the value of other studies and the more general literacy that is essential to any education. By rushing to comply with students' utilitarian goals,…

The Grid Systems is a phonetic learning device designed by McGinley (1982) to develop adult vocabulary. The name is derived from the fact that the student workbook is set up on a grid, with the top of the page showing the vowel sounds and the left side the consonant sounds. Words are formed on the grid where these sounds combine (some of the…

The body of folk wisdom and research on the characteristics of successful developmental educators indicates, among other findings, that: (1) the single most important factor influencing learning is not the teacher but what the learner already knows; (2) excellence in teaching involves a genuine concern for students; (3) successful instructors are…

A discussion is provided of the distinguishing characteristics of developmental education. First, the reasons for the lack of a clear definition are discussed, and the consequences of this ambiguity are highlighted in terms of the existing confusion over the purposes of developmental education. Next, the linguistic and theoretical bases of…

A Task Force of developmental education professionals in New York was convened to consider issues related to the evaluation of developmental programs from a statewide perspective. This report provides a summary of the two Task Force sessions and resulting recommendations and plans for action. Introductory material provides background on the…

Student assessments and program evaluations conducted for the initial year of Brooklyn College's developmental education program are described. Four evaluative studies in 1979 focused on the reading component, the speech course, student and faculty perceptions of the program, and instructional effectiveness of the entire program. Descriptive data…

THIS REPORT BY A COMMITTEE OF THE FACULTIES OF THE LOS ANGELES JUNIOR COLLEGES OFFERS SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS FOR EDUCATING THE DISADVANTAGED STUDENT. INSTRUCTORS MUST APPRECIATE THE DIFFICULTIES OF REACHING THE NON-ACHIEVER, WITH HIS FRUSTRATION, APATHY, AND REBELLION AGAINST EDUCATION, AND THEY MUST UNDERSTAND THE NECESSITY OF ENCOURAGING HIM TO…

A study skills program is proposed to help students in developmental programs acquire the real learning process required for success in an academic setting. Based on a developmental, personalized theory of instruction, the program has a general planning and instruction procedure that contains the following three steps: (1) The study skills task is…

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…

Suggests a three-step process for selecting remedial courseware: an in-house evaluation using an evaluation form designed for the specific learning environment; consultation with external sources which evaluate courseware; and use of the courseware on a trial basis with students. (AYC)

Concludes that the keyword method is effective means of vocabulary learning in the college classroom. (FL)

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)

This report describes the developmental education program at Jefferson Davis Community College (JDCC) (Alabama). Approximately 59% of JDCC's student population must take pre-college, or developmental, courses in math, reading, English, and study skills. JDCC's developmental program includes computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in reading, math, and…