Project AFFIRM (African-American First Investment Return Module) was established in the San Jose/Evergreen Community College District in California in fall 1989 to provide academic and personal support to increase the graduation and transfer rates of African-American students. Project AFFIRM seeks to build the self-esteem of African-American…

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.…

Recent efforts to identify and meet the needs for remedial education in Florida's public community colleges and universities are described in this paper. First, a synthesis of the literature on remedial education yields the following recommendations: (1) skills training must be integrated into other college experiences; (2) cognitive skills…

This collection of essays focuses on various aspects of research and instruction related to developmental education. The collection includes: (1) "Evaluating Instructional Software for Developmental Education," by Curtis Miles, which includes information on types of microcomputer software, developmental student characteristics,…

A study of student skill levels and remediation needs was conducted at Grande Prairie Regional College (GPRC). The study involved: (1) a survey of the literature on the underprepared learner, basic skills, remedial and developmental education, learning skills centers, assessment and placement, attrition, faculty development, and program…

A master plan is proposed for developmental education at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College. Introductory material discusses basic questions related to developmental education in the areas of access and mission, program and resources, and guidance and placement. This section also establishes the goal of the college's developmental education…

This paper describes a one-semester remedial biology course for freshmen college students. It includes rationale for such a course at the college level, course content and organization, and instructional strategies associated with specific problem areas such as the inability of students to categorize and distinguish between categories. Appendices…

Course placement systems in the first year of college include both an assessment component (to estimate students' probability of success in standard courses) and an instructional component (in which underprepared students are taught the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the standard courses). The effectiveness of a placement system…

The effectiveness of the Mathematical Skills Foundation Programme at Memorial University of Newfoundland (Canada), a program that evaluates the mathematical knowledge of each student to individualize instruction, was studied with data from 304 students. Results suggest that the remedial program did not have a positive measurable effect on students…

Argues that writing is a social practice, and as such, student writing should be thought of as part of the larger society. Reports on responses from 393 (over 50% of those solicited) students in developmental writing courses, which indicate that students want to feel they have a stake in their own learning. (Contains 26 references.) (NB)

Investigates whether aptitude/achievement subgroups of developmental college students differ in their reported use of self-regulated learning strategies, task value, and grade expectations. Reports that only low-achieving and low-aptitude students differed significantly from their peers, indicating that subgroups may have a greater need for…

Discusses the increasing number of legal challenges to high-stakes testing, which can potentially impact developmental education programs nationally. Analyzes challenges to the tests in four states, and suggests that the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) may lead to lawsuits if a child has not received an appropriate education. (Contains 15…

Argues that online instructors have a great impact on the quality of a student's online experience. Demonstrates through the author's personal experience as an online instructor that written communication skills are essential in an online classroom. (Contains seven references.) (NB)

Argues that supplemental instruction (SI) leaders may not always contribute to helpful instruction. Asserts that SI supervisors must train SI leaders about what is helpful and unhelpful for students. Suggests that more research be done to determine which practices are most helpful for students. Contains six references. (MZ)

Describes nine facets of quality at-risk education programs that have been identified by the National At-Risk Education Network (NAREN): accelerated academic curriculum, strong literacy component, deliberate self-management program, personalized curriculum, project-experiential-work orientation, smaller school and class size, solid planning and…