The benefits and the role of speech communication courses in developmental education programs are examined in this paper. The first section outlines the need for a package of developmental classes that includes a course in speech communication to prepare students for college-level courses. It describes a successful developmental program for…

A study was conducted to ascertain whether a basic skills development program, an individualized, programmed laboratory experience in which students contracted to work toward a self-defined resolution of their skill deficiencies, would result in a measurable change in the self concept of high-risk students enrolled in the program at Essex…

Identifies ways in which remedial/developmental programs are like and unlike other academic programs for evaluation purposes. Offers a four-stage evaluation model representing four different levels of activity and points at which evaluation can be conducted. (DMM)

Binary logistic regression analyses were performed on institutional data from a large urban community college in order to identify predictors of performance in a content course (psychology) that had high literacy demands. It was found that students who completed college English were more likely to pass the content course than students with…

A state-wide survey of Pennsylvania colleges sought to document the developmental education programming and remedial services these institutions offer their students. A 100-item questionnaire was sent to all 189 institutions that award undergraduate degrees and certifications. Eighty institutions responded. Findings include the following: (1) most…

STUDENTS UNDER 22 YEARS OF AGE WITH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE ABILITY TESTS SCORES OF 39 OR LESS WERE ENROLLED IN A SPECIAL "BLOCK" PROGRAM OF ENGLISH, PSYCHOLOGY, AND SPEECH. OF 110 STUDENTS IN THE FALL OF 1964, 30 HAD A C AVERAGE OR ABOVE, 91 COMPLETED THE SEMESTER, AND 75 REENROLLED IN THE NEXT TERM. TESTS SHOWED THAT THEY WERE IN THE LOWEST…

In an effort to bring entering allied health students to college-level reading ability, a Science Reading Program based on the theory that adult learners will be more motivated to improve reading skills if material is related to career preparation was designed, implemented, and evaluated. After pre-testing on the Nelson-Denny Reading Test (Form…

Five articles concerning college reading instruction are included in this special interest journal. Karen L. Pelz, William E. Pelz, and David L. Stritmater present a study of input sequence, exposure, and modality effects on recognition memory, which revealed that students who read assignments and attended lectures performed better on tests on the…

In 2009, the National Center for Postsecondary Research (NCPR) launched an evaluation of eight developmental summer bridge programs in Texas to assess whether these programs reduce the need for developmental coursework and improve student outcomes in college. The evaluation uses an experimental design to measure the effects of these programs on…

Forty-nine high-risk students enrolled in basic skills development classes at Essex Community College were evaluated on self-concept growth as shown by pre- and post-tests with the Tennessee Self Concept Scale (TSCS), by an open-ended self-evaluation questionnaire, and by improvement in grade point average (GPA). The developmental…

This paper reports on the programs and research projects developed and/or undertaken by the Center to promote the development of high risk children. Included are descriptions of the Center's Longitudinal Program and its nine project components which concentrate on the early development of basic abilities among children from low income families.…

Five programs in developmental reading at Leeward Community College (Hawaii) were studied to determine their effectiveness. The programs were: (1) general reading using individualized exercises; (2) an integrated skills approach combining reading and basic English skills; (3) a curriculum designed for each student from diagnostic testing; (4) a…

A study of 159 students assigned to remedial algebra courses was initiated at Queensborough Community College to determine levels of improvement in algebraic skills and the effects of regular, programmed, and modular teaching methods. All students studied the same material with the following differences: (1) regular instruction used no programmed…

The success of the Developmental Skills Program offered at Los Angeles Southwest College, a 96% black institution, is indicated by an average student grade equivalent gain of 2.3 years in one semester; a 5 year average accelerated academic growth rate that is 5.9 times the rate of academic growth black inner-city students have experienced in the…

Provides an annotated bibliography of 13 publications, released between 1960 and 1983, which have had a major influence on the field of developmental education. (AYC)