These three serial issues focus on the characteristics and administration of developmental education programs. The following articles are featured: (1) "Characteristics of Successful Programs," which reviews research findings concerning the characteristics associated with effective and ineffective developmental programs and includes a list of exemplary programs; (2) "A Review of National Surveys of Development Education Programs," by Hunter R. Boylan, which discusses the highlights of three national surveys conducted in 1970-74, 1976, and 1984 to assess the nature and scope of developmental education programs; and reviews trends related to the provision of developmental courses, the awarding of college credit for developmental courses, and mandatory remediation; and (3)"Organizational Patterns for Developmental Education Patterns," by Hunter R. Boylan, Elaini L. Bingham, and Darlene J. Cockman, which reviews studies of the administrative location and reporting arrangements of developmental programs within the college's divisions/departments, the titles of developmental program administrators, and titles of programs. (PAA)