The paper describes the background and development of HELP (Higher Education for Learning-disabled People). The HELP program located at Marshall University (West Virginia) provides testing to determine the presence of a learning disability; individual tutoring in reading, spelling, and written expression; oral tests; note-taking instruction; study…

The Equal Opportunity Program of the School of Nursing at the University of Wisconsin at Madison has, in the past, had the problem of low graduation rates. Attempts by the staff to develop better methods for retaining students have resulted in a program that offers one-to-one tutorial help in basic communication skills. Skills training that is…

The need to develop students' critical thinking skills is examined in this paper, along with existing academic support services, federal regulations and requirements, data on minority group students, and measures of program effectiveness. Many programs provide tutorial services to help the student meet the demands of coursework and to increase…

The English department at Central College (Pella, Iowa) has implemented a program that involves the entire faculty in the development of students' basic skills. The program's support system for students and faculty includes the following components: a skills laboratory staffed by a full-time skills coordinator and by trained student tutors…

Thirty-six second semester freshmen students on academic probation were matched according to sex, high school class rank, S.A.T. scores, and IQ. They were divided into two groups: control and experimental. Both groups were administered the Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes, after which the experimental group participated in four one-hour study…

A university English department's writing center uses peer tutors trained in questioning, explanation, and constructive criticism techniques. Among the issues raised are tutoring adult students and writing across the curriculum. The program has been an effective method of encouraging good writing. (MSE)

Through interview and questionnaire, this study examined the success of Brigham Young University's Indian education program by comparing it with Rouche's 11 elements of successful programs for low-achieving students. About 40% of Brigham Young's Indian students achieved bachelor's degrees, compared to 10% in comparable programs. The 19 faculty…

The focus of this journal edition is remedial writing instruction in high school and college. Articles in the journal are: "The Remedial Student is Different," by Karl K. Taylor; "Writing Apprehension: (I) Combating Fear of Failure," by Donna K. Gorrell; "Writing Apprehension: (II) Where Does Fear of Writing Come…

The Academic Skills Center at Black Hills State University provides a peer assistance program comprising both individual tutoring in classes offered in each academic division and credit classes in study skills. The goal of the Center is to respond effectively and quickly to individual educational needs of students and faculty through a…

Programs providing academic support services in colleges and universities and the evaluation of these services are reviewed. Attention is also directed to the need for opportunities in higher education for students with marginal high school academic records, and responses to the need by institutions of higher education. It is suggested that there…

Papers from the conference on the education of Australian Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders include: "English Language and Numeracy Program for Aboriginal Students" (Alison Jarred); "The Aboriginal Identity Course: A Midstream Evaluation" (Simon Vaughan); "Making the Curriculum Your Own: The Senior Girls at Lajamanu…

The specially funded program described in this report was implemented at the University of Minnesota's General College in Fall 1979 to promote the academic improvement and long-range retention of high-risk Black, Hispanic, and Native American students. After introductory material discussing the process involved in securing program funds from the…

Techniques designed to improve basic competencies of minority students attending selected, historically black colleges are reviewed. The efforts to improve instruction in targeted subject areas have been implemented with the assistance of the Southern Regional Education Board. Attention is directed to: modification of curricula and instructional…

Efforts of the General College of the University of Minnesota to increase student retention during the 1979-80 academic year are described. The target groups were high-risk students, especially representatives of minority groups from traditionally nonacademic populations. The college mounted a pilot education program (PEP) comprising three…

An end-of-year evaluation of the 1979-80 University of Minnesota's General College (GC) Pilot Education Program (PEP) for academically underprepared minority group students is presented. The results show that compared to other GC students, the PEP students came to the college with weaker academic skills, and had different personal characteristics.…