Self-assessments--voluntary, take-home, self-scoring, self-evaluating diagnostic tests in basic skills--tell new students if they are academically prepared to begin course work at the postsecondary level or if they need remediation. The development and use of self-diagnostic tools at Waukesha County Technical Institute is discussed. (MLW)

This report describes the Special Sections of Freshman English for Poorly Prepared Students at the University of California at Berkeley. The development of the program is described, including the rationale behind the course, the diverse student make-up, and some of the teaching techniques used (allowing students to choose topics, peer editing, and…

Using the findings of an earlier study regarding differences between student and teacher perceptions of what circumstances might contribute to a student's being "at risk," a follow-up study investigated what teachers and other school personnel can do to help at-risk students. Based on responses to two open-ended questions from the…

The educational attainment of college athletes has become a major national concern. Universities often have student athletes who are marginally prepared. Because universities accept these marginally prepared student athletes, it seems reasonable that they should provide special services necessary to reduce academic deficiencies. Raising academic…

A study was conducted at Jefferson College, Hillsboro Campus, in Missouri, to determine the relationship between the characteristics of successful Learning Center students and their questionnaire responses on an entry survey and their final course grades. Jefferson College is a two-year, open admissions community college, and the college's…

Background information on Wascana Institute's (Regina, Saskatchewan) existing learning assistance programs is presented along with a proposal for a readily-accessible, one-stop learning assistance center (LAC) that will furnish the information and services underprepared adult learners require to achieve academic success. First, introductory…

Studies opinions and comments of students who completed the Kansas Governor's Academy (KGA) program in summer 1991. The KGA served 24 at-risk students in an intensive program for academic and interpersonal skills. Student responses suggest that the program should continue, improve, and expand. (SLD)

The 16 chapters of this volume describe a wide variety of developmental programs intended to promote skill development and enhance academic performance for high-risk students at all levels of higher education. Following an introductory chapter by the editors, the chapters are: (1) "The Origin, Scope, and Outcomes of Developmental Education in the…

Prepared by the Developmental Skills Committee at Fresno City College (FCC), this report proposes a program of skills instruction and services for underprepared students. Following a historical background, the report defines the underprepared student and outlines the assumptions about budget, course sequencing, and responsibility for curriculum…

School reform efforts today have a personal focus that emphasizes attending to the problems faced by individual at-risk students. After outlining the impact of student dropouts, this document uses information from a review of 150 at-risk student programs described in related professional literature to describe six basic weaknesses in current…

This report describes the background and plans for an alternative education program to reduce the high dropout rate at Baldwyn High School in Baldwyn, Mississippi. Research shows that students drop out primarily because they are behind grade level and are older than their classmates. Of Baldwyn High School's approximately 290 students, between 25…

This bulletin describes a first-grade "readiness program" developed at the Aumsville (Oregon) School District to help children who have been found to be at risk in a standard first-grade program. These students attend a readiness first grade designed to assist their development emotionally, socially, physically, and academically and only…

The in-school suspension program, an integral aspect of a comprehensive dropout prevention program, insures the opportunity for high-risk students to achieve minimum competencies as outlined in North Carolina's Basic Education Program standards for student performance. Accordingly, the purpose of this program guide is to provide assistance to…

This handbook is designed to serve as a guide to the implementation of a center for at-risk youth. It provides information on available resources, a design for services, and sample forms necessary for the identification of at-risk youth. Section 1 describes the Missouri model for at-risk youth that emphasizes completion of graduation requirements…

Compares and contrasts the structural components of minority and general summer retention programs at 20 predominantly white universities. Utilizes the results of a telephone survey. (FMW)