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…

Argues that retention statistics indicate that developmental students have the best chance for success when they attend four-year institutions. Discusses the data relative to a new and more successful model for developmental education that eliminates stand-alone remedial courses and instead embeds remedial education in core curriculum. (Contains…

California State University's Summer Bridge program, a preenrollment course for underprepared freshmen that focuses on improving basic skills and familiarizing students with the university environment, has been successful in increasing first- and second-year retention rates for its first three student cohorts. (Author/MSE)

Describes a study that explores the relationship between affective variables and mathematics achievement among high-risk students enrolled in developmental-mathematics courses. Finds that time taken from traditional instruction in college algebra to encourage persistence and problem-solving skills enhances spatial visualization, promotes…

Since 1967, the Nevada State Legislature has mandated higher education institutions compile a comprehensive report on program plans. Therefore, this report is prepared in accordance to state law requiring the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) to prepare a biennial report for submission to the Nevada State Legislature that outlines a plan…

Using the data from Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count, this issue of "Data Notes" is the second of a two-part series investigating the characteristics of late stop-outs--students who accumulate at least 30 credits within the first two years, only to stop out without completing credentials or transferring. The data show that male…

Developmental Education programs are designed to provide assistance to students who are academically under-prepared for college-level coursework. Previous issues of "Data Notes" compared the outcomes of developmental students completing all of their required developmental courses to those not requiring developmental education. Using data…

The purpose of "Focus" is to provide coverage of poverty-related research, events, and issues, and to acquaint a large audience with the work of the Institute for Research on Poverty by means of short essays on selected pieces of research. This issue contains the following articles: (1) The new global labor market (Richard B. Freeman);…

This annotated bibliography on developmental learners at the postsecondary level was compiled and edited from computer searches of relevant databases as well as a manual library search. Annotations are organized according to specific types of developmental learners and specific types of developmental education programs and services. Annotations…

This annotated bibliography contains abstracts of 36 dissertations on developmental education at the postsecondary level. Citations are listed alphabetically by author and range in date from 1985 through 1992. Substantial descriptive abstracts are provided for each citation. (DB)

This report describes Georgia's Gainesville College's (GC's) student retention program, assesses its effectiveness, and highlights recent or anticipated program changes. Part I offers background information on the college and its students and their educational plans and goals. Part II presents retention figures for full-time students, including…

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…

Discusses the importance of academic advising to increase college student retention, graduation, and transfer in student-support-services programs designed for first-generation, low-income students and students with disabilities. An integrative, intrusive model of academic advising is defined, its benefits are outlined, and several successful…

If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a strong network of committed colleagues to launch an initiative like "SENSE." From its conception in fall 2006 to the first national administration in fall 2009, the Survey of Entering Student Engagement ("SENSE") has been supported by key individuals and groups, without whom there would have been…

Using data from Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count, this issue of "Data Notes" looks at student developmental education and gateway course outcomes by gender. The data show that more than half of students were referred to developmental math, with female students being more likely to be referred than male students. Females were more…