The purpose of the quantitative explanatory study was to investigate the relationship between student mathematics course prerequisite completion and the final grades attained in the required community college mathematics classes. A quantitative method was appropriate because it explored the relationship between the response variable, the final…

This paper presents the rationale and research base for a reading competency model designed to guide the development of cognitively based assessment of reading comprehension. The model was developed from a detailed review of the cognitive research on reading and learning and a review of state standards for language arts. A survey of the literature…

In the position article to this volume, Klein outlines a set of questions that are relevant for furthering the linguist's understanding of what the cognitive and neural prerequisites for time in language might be. He also declares a certain skepticism regarding the likelihood that new methods from other disciplines will provide answers to those…

Curriculum design assumes that successful completion of prerequisite courses will have a positive impact on student performance in courses that require the prerequisite. We recently had the opportunity to test this assumption concerning the relationship between completion of the organic chemistry prerequisite and performance in introductory…

This paper is one of a collection of papers written by the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) to support the use of content review as the basis for establishing communication and computation prerequisites. "Student Success: The Case for Establishing Prerequisites Through Content Review" was adopted at the Fall 2010…

In the 1990s, the Academic Senate collaborated with the Chancellor's Office and other leadership groups in the state to revise Title 5 regulations, to draft "The Model District Policy on Prerequisites, Corequisites, and Advisories on Recommended Preparation" (Board of Governors, 1993) and "Prerequisites, Corequisites, Advisories, And Limitations…

For students entering Chemistry Two following a Chemistry One course, an assessment exam was given and the results were evaluated in combination with other variables to develop a predictive model that forecasts student achievement in the course. Variables considered in the analysis included student major, GPA, classification (student standing:…

University education often suffers from a lack of an explicit and adaptable didactic design. Students complain about the insufficient adaptability to the learners' needs. Learning content and services need to reach their audience according to their different prerequisites, needs, and different learning styles and conditions. A way to overcome such…

This paper looks at sources of frustration in students of "prerequisite" mathematics courses (PMC), that is, courses required for admission into undergraduate programs in a large, urban, North American university. The research was based on responses to a questionnaire addressed to students and interviews with students and instructors. In the…

An understanding of Algebra I and the role that this foundational course plays as an entry to the college preparatory pathway in secondary education and its influence on mathematical achievement is an integral component for the education of American youth in the global world of science and technology. Achievements in high school curricula are…

One of the most valued approaches to identify course prerequisites relies on statistical techniques, typically requiring institutional-research support. Yet these techniques are often inadequate for prerequisite identification purposes. A discussion of the reasons for the inappropriateness of these techniques is presented. A review of common…

This study of the relationships between mathematical ability and success and retention in a general chemistry course was conducted at an open-enrollment university whose mission is to provide a quality education to a culturally and economically diverse student body. We studied the correlation between the demonstrated level of mathematical ability…

Because statistical analysis requires the ability to use mathematics, students typically are required to take one or more prerequisite math courses prior to enrolling in the business statistics course. Despite these math prerequisites, however, many students find it difficult to learn business statistics. In this study, we use an ordered probit…

This study addresses matches in beliefs between Georgian English learners and teachers and relationships among beliefs and overall language and grammar achievement, exploring the underlying reasons behind beliefs. Utilizing a mixed-method design, the researcher collected data through student/teacher questionnaires, evaluation inventories,…

In this study, the different types of research designs used to assess the impact of prerequisite courses are presented. Supported by an in-depth literature review, the challenges that are faced in the assessment of the impact of prerequisites, from statistical to political, are identified and their pitfalls are pointed out. In particular, the…