This study focused on a redesigned reading program that integrated project-based activities through the contextualization of reading and information literacy strategies using library databases. Students completing the new reading curriculum were compared to students who had completed a traditional reading curriculum to assess for differences in…

Currently, many community colleges are struggling with poor student success rates in developmental math. Therefore, this qualitative study focused on employing best practices in developmental mathematics at an urban community college in Dayton, Ohio. Guiding the study were the following research questions: What are the best practices utilized by a…

The goal of this study was to understand how students' attitudes were connected to their mathematics learning and achievement. This investigation of students (n = 78) and their attitudes was specific to web-based homework in developmental mathematics courses in a two-year community college located in a large urban city in the United States. A…

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of student success in developmental mathematics classes because of their instructional delivery mode at a North Texas suburban community college. The developmental mathematics courses for this study will include Beginning Algebra, Pre-Algebra and Intermediate Algebra. Classes will be offered…

This research was undertaken to determine if the redesigned modular delivery method for developmental mathematics produced a higher sequence completion rate within a year as compared to the traditional lecture style delivery. Re-enrollment rates from fall to spring for the modularized delivery system were compared to the traditional delivery…

As open-door institutions of higher learning, community colleges should continue to increase their understanding of the characteristics, needs, and satisfaction of underprepared students. Understanding the satisfaction levels of underprepared students provides a foundation upon which to build support for student success and retention for…

This study investigates how the impact of developmental education is moderated by classroom composition. Drawing on a regression discontinuity design, we used data from 3,429 community college students, nested within 223 classrooms, to explore the extent to which classroom and instructor characteristics moderated the effect of developmental…

In recent years, community colleges have come into the spotlight nationally in terms of their potential to assist in the revitalization of the economy. This has resulted in an increased need for community colleges to understand more fully the factors that influence student persistence. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to…

Developmental education courses have become a standard in community colleges in the United States. An overwhelming majority of these public two-year schools offer developmental courses to a wide array of students. At the same time, developmental programs are under a constant barrage of attacks from a variety of stakeholder organizations that view…

Describes a study investigating differences in self-perception of writing competency among high- and low-apprehensive writers. Suggests that high-apprehensive writers were more likely to have had negative past writing experiences and to believe that writing ability is an innate quality rather than a process requiring a great deal of effort. (27…

A study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of nontraditional and traditional counseling and instructional methods in meeting the socio-emotional and academic needs of nontraditional ("high risk") community college students. Individualized learner-oriented mastery instruction with emphasis on audiotutorial methods and a composite of…

This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 12 titles deal with the following topics: (1) the effects of cognitive strategy training on reading achievement and Piagetian cognitive level among high risk college freshmen; (2) the impact of a college reading program on…