Developmental mathematics, which is designed to prepare students for college-level mathematics courses, can be a barrier to students' success. In the United States, the majority of students placed into developmental mathematics courses fail to complete the developmental sequence. Alternative mathematics pathways offer some benefits when integrated…

This study investigates the use of transfer guides to help students identify transferrable prerequisite credits for academic majors. Employing administrative data of students enrolled in Ohio community colleges, I examine the impact of these curricular roadmaps, called Transfer Assurance Guides (TAG), which were featured in reforms of the state's…

Nursing schools face the challenge of improving student academic performance and completion rates. The current supply of newly graduated nurses fails to meet the increasing demands of society. In 2009, Cochise College responded by implementing a major change in their curriculum to improve student retention and academic performance. The problem…

The impact of an experimental, one-semester suspension of mathematics and English prerequisites from 12 courses is investigated. Data on enrollment, student performance, and instructor opinions are analyzed for the total group, and results concerning English versus mathematics prerequisites are compared. Implications for further research on the…

Describes a study to determine the effectiveness of a new policy at Michigan's Muskegon Community College mandating prerequisite courses for all general education (GE) courses. Compares outcomes for students who met prerequisites to those who did not but took GE courses anyway. Finds that qualified students did significantly better. (AJL)

Reports findings from a survey of two-year and four-year college microbiology teachers in Texas, identifying the skills and knowledge identified by senior college faculty as prerequisites to upper-level microbiology courses and differences in the depth of cover of curricular items between two- and four-year institutions. (DMM)

In fall 1996, California's Saddleback Community College began enforcing a prerequisite mathematics course for the college's Algebra (Math 8), Statistics (Math 10), and Trigonometry (Math 124) series. The 11 memoranda collected in this report present results from a study of the effects of enforcing the prerequisite on successful completion of the…

In the San Jose/Evergreen Community College District in California, prerequisite levels have been established for almost all courses offered, though students may insist on taking classes above their prerequisite level. In an effort to validate the district's prerequisite system, a study was conducted comparing academic success rates of students…

Results of a study that compared the performance of students in high technology programs in engineering and computer science are presented, with emphasis on students' mathematical preparation. The study population involved 175 transfer students who completed their mathematical prerequisites at three community colleges and 188 students who…

A study determined the effect of college-level trigonometry skills on the final grades of students enrolled in Introduction to AC/DC Circuits, the first course in the vocational electronics program at Seminole Community College (Florida). The literature was reviewed to develop a conceptual framework for the project. A pretest that measured…

In 1992, a study was conducted at Golden West College (GWC) in California to determine whether an English prerequisite should be required for a speech communication course and, if so, what level of English course was necessary. Fourteen sections of Speech Communication 100 were randomly chosen from the spring, summer, and fall semesters during the…

In an effort to determine the relationship between English language/writing skills and academic performance in a college-level U.S. History course, a study was conducted of all students enrolled in freshman U.S. History at Oxnard College (California) in spring 1990. The study sample consisted of 112 students, whose scores on the English Subtest of…

In spring 1992, a mid-term assessment of English 10 students was conducted at Golden West College, in California, in order to compare four course placement methods. English 10, "Writing Essentials," is a nontransferrable course which focuses on paragraph writing and grammar review in order to prepare students for entry into English 100.…