In this review of literature, the efficacy of online instruction for developmental mathematics students was explored. Current peer-reviewed articles, representing research from community college settings and written between 1996 and 2015, were reviewed. Based on those studies, several recommendations are offered regarding the online delivery of…

Many students enter higher education with poor preparation for college mathematics courses. These students are often placed through high-stakes placement testing into developmental coursework that bear no credit towards graduation, but many students who begin in developmental coursework never succeed in a college-level mathematics course. Recent…

Community colleges typically offer extensive developmental education programs to students with weak academic skills in order to prepare them for college-level coursework. Yet, for students referred to developmental mathematics education, rates of completion in developmental math courses and in college-level math courses required for a degree are…

The primary theoretical tradition in the study of college retention has been sociological. A review and synthesis of common themes of development among traditional-age, college students suggests that a developmental perspective on the retention of youth in college may have more to offer than the dominant sociological paradigm. This article argues…

This content analysis examines the topics, trends, and issues impacting developmental education and its professionals as evaluated by interviews that have appeared in the "Journal of Developmental Education" ("JDE") between the issuance of Volume 1 through Volume 39. A total of 76 interviews were analyzed with attention to…

Dr. Jill Biden, Vice President Joe Biden's wife, has been teaching in community colleges for the past 18 years. Dr. Biden believes that community colleges are "…uniquely American institutions where anyone who walks through the door is one step closer to realizing the American dream." This is an inspiring sentiment. However, of all the…

Admission processes at community colleges typically use open door or "first-come, first-served" practices. This type of policy allows all applicants, regardless of prior experience or educational background, to have the same chance of admission into programs. As the number of applications increases, it becomes necessary to investigate…

This meta-analytic synthesis of findings from 60 evaluation studies schowed that special college programs for high-risk students have had basically positive effects on students. High-risk students who enrolled in such programs stayed in college somewhat longer than control students did, and they received somewhat better grades in regular college…

Reviews four types of student retention models identified in the literature (i.e., psychological, economic, organizational, and interactional). Describes and offers examples of four levels of developmental education programs, and identifies eight critical pedagogical components of developmental education. (DMM)

One of the greatest challenges that community colleges face in their efforts to increase graduation rates is improving the success of students in their developmental, or remedial, education programs--the courses that students without adequate academic preparation must take before they can enroll in courses for college credit. Emphasizing results…

This paper presents preliminary findings of the five-year research project, "Accelerating the Education of Remedial Students in Higher Education," which is examining effects of current remedial courses at the postsecondary level and exploring the applicability of the "accelerated schools" concept as an alternative. This paper…

A study was conducted to compare the academic success of students who completed developmental education courses at Northwest Technical College with that of students who did not take such courses, but whose placement test scores indicated that they should. Subjects of the study were selected from 499 students who were advised, based on their test…

A literature review on the effectiveness of developmental studies programs is presented, along with the results of a survey of developmental studies programs at predominantly white and predominantly black colleges in the southeast. Information is also provided on a survey of black college athletes' views of their academic environment. A total of…

Examines the culture-specific needs of Native-American students in higher education. Identifies family support, student-support services, and precollege preparation as factors contributing to academic success, and finances and cultural differences as contributing to failure. Asserts that developmental educators must be aware of these factors in…

Successful efforts to improve minority college student retention are discussed, including programs to expand educational horizons and aspirations, college preparation programs for junior high school students, early orientation, minority-directed services, promotion of cultural diversity, and reorganization of financial aid packaging. (MSE)