The human brain develops rapidly in the first five years of life. High-quality early learning experiences can have a profound and lasting positive effect on young children during these years, setting the stage for success in kindergarten and beyond. This is especially true for young children with high needs who are from low-income families; who…

The national commitment to increasing postsecondary educational attainment, combined with growing economic anxiety, has made community colleges the focus of many federal and state policy initiatives. There is good reason for this: by virtue of their nature and reach, community colleges--public institutions of higher education that predominantly…

This supplemental report explores the developmental needs of Colorado's recent high school graduates, examines the postsecondary success of students who need developmental education and explores equity gaps as they relate to developmental education. It builds upon the report titled "The Postsecondary Progress and Success of High School…

Purpose-centered education model identifies broad purpose at each learning stage enabling students to apply their academic learning to meet external challenges. The purpose should involve a socially useful outcome and focus on a substantive knowledge area that is developmentally enriching. Teaching should involve five dimensions of knowledge and…

High performing schools for young adolescents are developmentally responsive, academically excellent, and socially equitable. Necessary reform elements include professional development, technical assistance, coordination, networks, data-driven decision making, enlightened leadership, improved teacher preparation, a well-informed public, and…

Developmental learning community programs that are respectful of students' circumstances, supportive of their educational aims, and thoughtful about the purpose of education can be extremely effective in helping developmental students achieve their educational goals.

This book is the final outcome of a research project begun in 1981 by the International Institute for Educational Planning under the title, "Planning and Management of Formal and Nonformal Education within Integrated Rural Development Projects." Part 1 reports the concluding 1984 Nepal seminar to pinpoint the real role of education as a…

Community college advising and counseling practitioners provide a productive setting for establishing a positive tone for self and academic discovery, while assisting students in finding their place within higher education. This brief compares current advising strategies for under-prepared students or students with low college readiness. One of…

Describes the genesis of a developmental critical-thinking course offered at Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) that melds two imperatives: to provide a comprehensive developmental-education program and to satisfy the critical-thinking requirements of the job market and the university. Provides some preliminary evaluation results from faculty…

The recommendations and policy proposals of the Governor's Committee on Postsecondary Education in Georgia are summarized, and postsecondary issues for the future are identified. Many of the Committee's recommendations are specifically addressed to various state boards and commissions. Ten issues and recommended actions are specified that pertain…

Research suggests a widespread perception that language study in higher education is an end in itself, as the preservation of culture. However, in Australia, university second language programs have been designed for practical purposes, and increasing pressure is seen for instruction in languages for special purposes (LSP). The question of whether…

This guide supports the central objective of ensuring that young people enjoy the best possible introduction to, and experience of, work-related learning through strong partnerships between schools and colleges. The process of self-evaluation using quality indicators has already had a significant and positive impact on the quality of provision in…