Describes a two-year study to determine the relationship between initial evaluations of student placement essays and progress in a developmental writing course sequence at a midsize university. Finds a positive relationship and presents the methodology as a model for assessment, citing its adaptability, minimal costs, and improved program…

Discusses the effects of sexism in education and the means by which educators can reduce it. Indicates that developmental educators are in a unique position to counteract sexism. Contains suggestions for overcoming sexism in five areas of developmental education (math, reading, writing, counseling, and administration) and in the classroom. (35…

Examines methods for improving developmental students' proofreading skills. Discusses several theories and analogies for understanding the activity of proofreading. Suggests that educators should utilize methods that encourage students to invest time and energy in the proofreading process as it provides a meaningful and complex educational…

Describes a study of student writing completed in one basic writing program. Measures the effectiveness of individual papers written in the program's two-course sequence by rating each against a modified "primary-trait" scoring scale. Finds that students made gains in the trait areas examined. (EMH)

Theorizing that college is a cross-cultural experience for all students and faculty, examines students' experiences in completing a psychology paper and explores the ways a Psychology Writing Lab (PWL) served as mediator for instructor and student. Indicates that students in the PWL procrastinated less, chose more appropriate articles, understood…

Discusses barriers adult developmental-writing students face due to family, community, and work responsibilities. Explains how non-writing commitments affect the writing process, particularly by placing time constraints on students. Offers instructors classroom activities to help students contextualize their writing situations and to learn methods…

Asserts that the teaching profession needs to recognize the natural connections between multicultural and developmental education. Presents eight steps developmental educators can take to promote pluralism, including (1) establishing a clear link between cultural pluralism and institutional and programmatic mission and goals; (2) striving for…

Presents results from a study of eight college freshman to determine differences between revising essays on-screen and on-paper. Eighty-one percent of on-screen changes were above the mechanical or word level, often related to meaning and content. Students working on-screen tended to add more information and recreate paragraphs, but sometimes…

Asserts that taking Introduction to College Writing, a fundamental writing course at Central Missouri State University, improves student academic achievement by developing their basic writing skills and preparing them for more advanced, general education writing courses. (VWC)

Contends that student writing compositions and instructor feedback offer special benefits when rendered orally via audiocassette. Promotes a "reader-based" writing sensibility in students, who read their work onto cassette tape, and allows greater flexibility in grading and critiquing for instructors, who return the tape with detailed comments.…