Much of recent research in postsecondary developmental education leaves the distinct impression that most remedial courses in community colleges are unsuccessful in helping students and that they should be entirely overhauled. Legislators and administrators are now taking these recommendations very seriously and are ready to cut programs that are…

In the impress method, the teacher sits behind the student, reads a selection of material, and points to each word as s/he reads it. The student repeats what the teacher says and follows the teacher's finger. The objective is to cover as much material as possible at a normal pace. Comprehension is not required. Research studies are reviewed. (JN)

This paper focuses on children helping children through peer and cross-age tutoring with special emphasis for programs serving the student remedial or special education setting. The historical roots of peer and cross-age tutoring are discussed. Explanations of the nature of the tutorial experience are presented, along with a discussion of the…

Remediation is the most common policy designed to prepare students academically and socially during their early stages of college. But despite its profound importance and its significant costs, there is very little rigorous research analyzing its effectiveness. The goal of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework for evaluation of remedial…

Present research on reading failure has not been able to determine whether it results from a single unitary deficit or from multiple causations. Diagnosis of reading failure is not a simple appraisal of a student's reading skills and abilities; rather, it is therapeutic in nature, always seeking to formulate more efficient means of improving…

Provides a picture of remedial reading instruction based on three views: (1) an observational study of Chapter l programs; (2) an observational study of 79 Chapter l teachers in a large city; and (3) an analysis of the case reports of a college reading clinic. Calls for reform based on theory and research. (NH)

Reviews research on the effectiveness of parental involvement in improving elementary school-aged children's reading skills. Studies show that parents can enhance their children's reading ability, but parents desire training in specific strategies. Two feasible programs are presented, although more research is needed on various home reading…

Reviews literature on the questionable value of remedial instruction during the 1960's and 1970's; the improvement of intake and placement procedures during the subsequent decade; student participation in voluntary remedial programs; and recommendations emerging from the most recent studies of remedial instruction. (DMM)

This topical synthesis addresses the problematic issue of whether the techniques, processes, and procedures that generally result in effective, high-quality education will also achieve results with at-risk youth. After an extended introduction that raises this question, the key characteristics of effective schools are specified as leadership, a…

Examines the evidence for and against three major approaches to the teaching of specific reading disabled children: the process approaches, the specialist methods, and the modality/treatment interaction methods. Concludes that all differ in terms of their assumptions and consequent remediation, and all have a number of associated difficulties.…

This monograph describes Supplemental Instruction, a student assistance program designed to improve the academic success of college freshmen based on the idea that if students are not being successful in courses then perhaps colleges should change the way courses are taught. Supplemental Instruction (SI) utilizes regularly scheduled, out-of-class,…

An analysis of research on the effectiveness of developmental education is presented in this report. Chapter I highlights different perspectives on the role of developmental education at the college level; examines definitions and discusses the mission of developmental education; and puts forward a methodology for measuring its effectiveness.…

The costly supplemental or alternative programs that combat chronic school failure and continued high dropout rates are not always effective for the following reasons: (1) students do not always find out which programs are available, and (2) if no suitable program is available, there is usually no one responsible for trying to create one. People…

Discusses high dropout and failure rate at the Distance Teaching University of South Africa; describes development of a transitional study program to give underprepared students remedial assistance, including course organization, content, and student participation; reviews research on the program's effectiveness; and outlines strategies to…

Discusses four phases of developmental education in community colleges: pretransfer, handicapped, remedial, and adult basic education (ABE). R eviews literature regarding enrollments, program costs, faculty attitudes, and program effectiveness in each area. (DR)