Two-year institutions are increasingly jammed with students who lack academic readiness--a command of those basic skills that will help them find employment in the workplace or continue on to four-year institutions. That's where remedial--or developmental--classes come into the picture. Community colleges are investing heavily in remedial programs…

Argues that basic writing students need incremental assignment sequences to experience success in writing and to develop their abilities to write about abstract concepts. Describes a four-part sequence of writing assignments moving from observing to narrowing to generalizing to theorizing. (RS)

Students enrolled in college remedial English courses typically profit little from them. Improved instruction through the use of innovative teaching techniques was viewed as a possible solution to the problem. Following a review of pertinent learning theory, some examples of current innovative ideas and techniques aimed at improving instruction…

In an effort to help basic skills students learn the skills they need to survive in college-level studies and remediate critical areas as quickly as possible, many community colleges have overlooked the value of other studies and the more general literacy that is essential to any education. By rushing to comply with students' utilitarian goals,…

A perennial challenge for developmental educators is to upgrade students' skills over many years without losing their own sense of professional dedication and momentum. Two instructional techniques that can be of use to developmental educators in meeting this challenge are interactive errands and dialogue journals. These activities enable students…

Robert Nash responds to questions concerning his personal and professional background, the Simultaneous Multisensory Instructional Procedure for Teaching the Complete Sound Structure of the Language, problems associated with dyslexia, the social/emotional impact of learning disabilities, and the University of Wisconsin's Project Success for…

This report describes the developmental education program at Jefferson Davis Community College (JDCC) (Alabama). Approximately 59% of JDCC's student population must take pre-college, or developmental, courses in math, reading, English, and study skills. JDCC's developmental program includes computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in reading, math, and…

Contends that cognitive skills can and should be taught. Cites supportive studies. Describes two of the four clinical modules forming Rockland Community College's developmental sequence. Examines objectives of the Effective Listening and Logic and Reasoning modules and procedures used in the courses. Looks at student resistance to cognitive skills…

Offers seven suggestions academic assistance professionals can adopt in order to evaluate strategic models, such as study strategy courses or paired courses. Reports that a 1997 study found that only 25% of four-year institutions complete ongoing and systematic evaluation of their academic assistance programs. (Contains 32 references.) (NB)

Analyzes the traditional community college approaches to remedial education. Suggests that a more learner-centered remediation--which is based on an understanding of students' needs--in discipline courses offers students the opportunity to apply the skills they learn in ways that are meaningful, thus decreasing the dropout rate of remedial…

The writing lab at a Florida two-year technical institute is designed to help students fulfill the writing requirements for their technical degree programs. In the lab, developmental students take composition courses that may be substituted for traditionally required composition courses in their programs. Some students take additional writing…

Advocates individualizing remedial writing courses at the college level and describes three programs that emphasize individual placement, focus on student writing rather than on workbook materials, and offer peer tutoring. (MKM)

The Advanced Studies Program (ASP) at Southeastern Community College (Whiteville, North Carolina) is a developmental studies program that offers freshman courses in English, biology, and psychology to approximately 75 students. Learning activities are individualized and self-paced, and each ASP course has behaviorally stated objectives.…

This journal is intended for teachers of reading on the two-year college level. Articles included in this issue are: "A Competency Based Approach to College Reading Improvement Programs,""Drumming Up Trade for College Reading Programs,""Instructional Techniques for Developmental Reading,""College Reading W.A.R." (on the image of college reading…

A description is presented of the activities and outcomes of a project designed to provide training that would enhance the efforts of remedial educators to serve learning disabled students on campus. Introductory sections provide background on the increase of learning disabilities at community colleges, review the evidence of the need for the…