The construction and application of innovation configuration in assessing the implementation of adopted/adapted National Diffusion Network (NDN) programs and developmental programs funded by Elementary Secondary Education Act Title IV, Bureau of the Educationally Handicapped and Vocational Education, are presented. Implementation evaluation…

This case study tracks the application of project-based learning (PBL) during four separate college terms at Portland Community College in Portland, Oregon. Each term follows a different learning community of first-term college students enrolled in a program of developmental education (DE), reading, writing, math, and college survival and success…

Developmental summer bridge programs are a popular strategy for increasing college readiness among recent high school graduates. Aimed at providing an alternative to traditional developmental education, these programs provide accelerated and focused learning opportunities in order to help students acquire the knowledge and skills needed for…

In the fall of 2008, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) commissioned a research study comparing the college access provider resources in Virginia to the access and academic achievement needs of the state. That study--conducted by researchers from the College of William and Mary and West Carolina University--resulted in the…

Originally designed for students who test into at least two levels of developmental education in a particular subject area, FastStart is a compressed course program model launched in 2005 at the Community College of Denver (CCD). The program combines multiple semester-length courses into a single intensive semester, while providing case…

As technology becomes increasingly integrated into K-12 education, the use of data is growing in volume and complexity, resulting in a paradox of information overload for educators. While administrators and teachers have access to more data than ever before, they are only just beginning to understand the impact of data on program improvement. In a…

Community colleges offer a pathway to the middle class for low-income individuals. Although access to college has expanded, graduation rates at community colleges remain low, especially for students who need developmental (remedial) courses to build their math, reading, or writing skills. The City University of New York's (CUNY's) Accelerated…

Following Messick's definition of validity as a multi-faceted construct that includes contextual, substantive, structural, generalizable, external, and consequential dimensions, this study examined an established directed self-placement (DSP) system that had been functioning for ten years at a large university. The goal was to determine the extent…

To assist community development administrators, the article considers the problems of program evaluation: what kind of evaluation is needed; for whom is it needed; who shall do it; what should it cost; and what are the implications of its results. (AG)

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) serves a large majority of socioeconomically disadvantaged students who are struggling academically and are underprepared for high school graduation and college. This article describes the partnership between LAUSD and the Los Angeles Education Research Institute, and how this collaboration endeavors…

Evaluating strategies for assessing instructional goals of developmental programs in early education are suggested. (Editor)

This booklet identifies basic techniques and methodologies for evaluating training and development programs. It also examines a selected number of methodologies that appear to be applicable to evaluating the results of program performance and achievement in many social and economic programs. Section 1 provides general information on evaluation and…

The intentions were noble. It was hoped that remediation programs would be an academic bridge from poor high school preparation to college readiness. Sadly, remediation has become instead higher education's "Bridge to Nowhere." This broken remedial bridge is travelled by some 1.7 million beginning students each year, most of whom will…

Although career and technical education (CTE) Programs of Study (POS) were introduced in the Perkins IV legislation, neither the spirit nor the elements of POS are new in the history of CTE as a vehicle for high school reform. POS have evolved over several decades of efforts to create effective transition programs from secondary to postsecondary…