ERIC Number: ED591279
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 116
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-0-4385-3446-9
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Preparing Underprepared Community College Students for College-Level Reading and Writing: Through the Lens of Developmental English Faculty
Roberts, Sheril T.
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Northeastern University
Community colleges are often the academic home to students who are underprepared in reading and writing. To gain a better understanding of this problem, the researcher conducted an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. The goal of phenomenological research is to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of participants. This qualitative study examined the perceptions and experiences of developmental English faculty as they prepare underprepared students for college-level reading and writing. This study sought to answer the following research questions: How do developmental English faculty members experience teaching students who are underprepared for college-level reading and writing? Also, what are the successes and challenges experienced by developmental English faculty as they teach students who are underprepared for college-level reading and writing? Six developmental English faculty members from various community colleges were interviewed using a semi-structured interview protocol. The findings uncovered four themes and one subtheme: 1) students entered developmental English class underprepared in reading, 2) all faculty members were motivated to be agents of change for their students, 3) most students were faced with personal challenges that hindered their progress in developmental English, 4) developmental English faculty felt underprepared to teach students how to read as they were not properly trained in reading pedagogy, resulting in the faculty members need to be innovative in the classroom (subtheme). This study validated current literature that high faculty expectations lead to better academic performance from students, faculty loathe the new accelerated format of developmental English courses, and more collaboration between high schools and colleges is necessary for student success in postsecondary education. It is suggested that this study be used as a foundation to further research topics of pedagogical preparation for developmental English faculty, collaboration between secondary and postsecondary faculty, and the experiences of faculty members of college-level courses. Furthermore, this study could be used to suggest better pedagogical practices and more strategic academic preparation and professional development for developmental English faculty. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Community Colleges, Two Year College Students, Student Experience, Developmental Studies Programs, Remedial Reading, Remedial Instruction, Writing Instruction, College Faculty, College Readiness, Barriers, English Teachers, English Instruction, Teacher Role, Teacher Expectations of Students
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Two Year Colleges; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A