Focusing on the debate over the need for and appropriateness of remedial/developmental programs in higher education, this volume addresses policy issues related to the provision of such programs and presents state, national, and case study data. The following nine chapters are provided: (1) "Who Should Provide Postsecondary Remedial/Developmental…

This report examines the need of many deaf and hard of hearing college freshmen for remediation in one or both of two areas, reading and writing in English and mathematics. It explores the kinds of assessments most commonly used in these areas, suggests modifications for testing basic instruction and remediation, and offers some programmatic…

A survey of 43 Texas community college libraries reveals that although 90 percent of these colleges have a developmental education program, less than 28 percent provide large number of library services to such programs, and particularly lack bilingual handbooks and special library instruction for developmental students. Twenty-two references are…

Examines and evaluates three approaches used by community colleges to provide academic assistance to educationally underprepared students: offering compensatory programs and services as electives; requiring certain students to participate in skills courses; and offering basic skills instruction as part of regular courses. (DMM)

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…

Remedial or developmental courses are the most common policy instruments used to assist underprepared postsecondary students who are not ready for college-level coursework. However, despite its important role in higher education and its substantial costs, there is little rigorous evidence on the effectiveness of college remediation on the outcomes…

This paper briefly examines the key contexts of developmental education as it has evolved in the United States, focusing on historical perspectives; demographics of student diversity; evolving definitions; and the philosophical, political, and financial contexts of developmental education. The first section traces the evolution of developmental…

The effects of closed-captioned educational video as an instructional tool for improving reading comprehension and learning retention for students in college developmental studies programs were studied. Subjects were 168 students in Developmental Studies English and reading classes at a regional university in the Southeast and 168 first-year…

As part of a statewide study of postsecondary remedial programs and services in California, site visits were conducted at seven community colleges, four state universities, and three campuses of the University of California (UC). Interviews with at least five administrators and faculty members at each campus solicited opinions and perceptions…

The team-teaching component of the College Skills Program at Burlington County College (New Jersey), a coordinated cognitive and affective curriculum for remediating basic skills deficiencies, is briefly described. Four-person teams consisting of a social sciences teacher, a reading teacher, an English teacher, and a counselor are used in the…

In July 1986, a colloquium was convened to develop a position paper on access, assessment, and developmental education. This colloquium report contains the keynote speeches presented at the event, along with a statement developed by the participants regarding the issues. First, introductory material describes the purposes, sponsorship, and group…

After discussing the role of Kansas's community colleges in providing remedial/developmental education, this report presents data on the characteristics of students enrolled in remedial/developmental courses. Highlighted findings include the following: (1) 8% of all students enrolled in the community college system were enrolled in…

This conference was called to discuss the need for, and the strategies used in, implementing basic skills remediation at the college and university level. All levels of higher education were represented, as well as research professors, elementary, secondary, and post-secondary school administrators and teachers, representatives of the business and…

This is volume 14 of Leadership Abstracts, a newsletter published by the League for Innovation (California). Issue 1 of February 2001, "Developmental Education: A Policy Primer," discusses developmental programs in the community college. According to the article, community college trustees and presidents would serve their constituents well by…

Provides an annotated bibliography of materials from the ERIC system that highlight major policy issues in providing remedial/developmental education within higher education, as well as studies that have measured the effectiveness of these policies. (YKH)