To address an unacceptable failure and withdrawal rate in an introductory psychology course at Ulster County Community College (UCCC), in New York, a project was undertaken to develop a Learning Assistance in Psychology course to help students with skills and concepts. First, a literature review indicating the need for remediation highlighted the…

This guide is designed to offer interesting, authentic practice in reading college-level technical textbooks and periodical articles. The book contains actual reading assignments and strategies to help students improve comprehension and to develop metacognitive insight into their own reading processes. The guide is presented in three levels, each…

The Florida Board of Community Colleges conducted a survey of the current state of preparatory programs (i.e., math, reading, English, and English as a Second Language (ESL)) in the state's 28 community colleges. Data was gathered through a literature search, a survey of directors of developmental programs, Bureau of Research and Information…

A Cuyahoga County (Ohio) project developed a multiagency, comprehensive basic skills improvement system designed to increase the employability of people receiving public assistance, out-of-school youth, and Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) clients. An advisory committee composed of individuals representing the collaborative groups was…

This report analyzes practices and conditions that seek to prevent at-risk behaviors among adolescents. Discussion begins with a description of the developmental tasks that adolescents need to complete before they can assume productive adult roles in society. While two conflicting views of adolescence are noted, the capacity of young people to…

A study investigated aspects of the problem of at-risk youth aged 9-15 in the public schools. Focuses were compulsory attendance education; school programs; demographics; developmental characteristics; patterns of behavior leading to academic success or failure; academic achievement; and school/community efforts. Evidence showed that compulsory…

The summer "bridge" part of the Special Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP) at the University of California (UC), Davis, was evaluated with attention to first-year academic performance and retention. STEP, part of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), is an orientation and academic program to help low-income and minority students…

Findings of a national survey of remedial studies in two- and four-year colleges are presented. Data were reported for the 1983-1984 academic year. The study focused on providing estimates of the: number and type of remedial courses offered; percent of freshmen needing and taking courses; changes in enrollment; program characteristics such as type…

The Adult Basic Education (ABE) program of the Saginaw (Michigan) Public Schools achieved 8 of its 11 objectives for 1987-88. The program is designed for adults who have less than an eighth grade education, and provides basic and remedial instruction in mathematics and communication skills, as well as Michigan Life Role Competencies (MLRC),…

A study focused on the problems of poor performance in classroom assignments and state-wide writing assessments of middle grade students in the practicum setting. The goals of the practicum plan were: (1) to improve teacher competency in the steps of the writing process; (2) to improve student attitudes about writing; and (3) to improve writing…

This study, conducted with college developmental studies students, explored possible relationships between individualized computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in basic mathematics skills and each of two variables; mathematics knowledge and anxiety toward mathematics. Both experimental (N=5) and control (N=12) groups made significant gains in…

This report details the performance of recent high school graduates on entrance exams given at Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC) in fall of school year 1987-88 to assess basic reading, writing, and algebra skills. The following data are provided: (1) the numbers and percentages of MDCC students from Dade County high schools who submitted…

Two alternatives to retention in grade for secondary school students were evaluated in Austin (Texas). Both were designed to allow students who are potential retainees (PRs) to receive remediation in one semester. The Transitional Academic Program (TAP) allows PRs to enroll in ninth-grade courses while repeating eighth-grade courses they had…

In 1988, a study was conducted to examine student assessment and related remedial/developmental programs in Michigan's 29 community colleges. Administrators or instructors with direct responsibility for developmental education programs were surveyed regarding the existence of an institutional definition of and mission statement for remedial…

Designed for use by basic education teachers, this teaching guide outlines a summer school communication skills program for at-risk students which seeks to build self-esteem through high-interest, success-oriented experiences and to enhance language development by providing opportunities to use language in meaningful situations. The guide…