Presents results of study conducted with community college intermediate algebra students. Reports that students taught with Reform-Computer Assisted Instruction (R-CAI) significantly outperformed on the conceptual measure than students taught with Lecture-based Instruction (LBI). Adds that students in the R-CAI environment experienced significant…

This study explores general-chemistry instructors' awareness of and ability to identify and address common student learning obstacles in chemical equilibrium. Reported instructor strategies directed at remediating student alternate conceptions were investigated and compared with successful, literature-based conceptual change methods. Fifty-two…

As of Fall 1996, San Francisco State University changed its introductory financial accounting course to focus on a "user's" perspective, de-emphasizing the accounting cycle. Anticipating that these changes could impair subsequent performance, the Department of Accounting instituted a new prerequisite for intermediate accounting: Students would…

This article reports on an empirical study undertaken at the University of the North, South Africa, to test personal classroom observation and anecdotal evidence about the persistent gap between writing and spoken proficiencies among learners of English as a second language. A comparative and contrastive analysis of speech samples in the study…

The learning difficulties for new entrant chemistry students from a multi-national, regional, tertiary education institution in the South Pacific were investigated using a purpose-designed diagnostic instrument. The instrument contained 25 items distributed across three themes: scientific reasoning, numeracy and scientific language literacy. The…

Using college transcripts, we separate the effects of remedial coursework from high school preparation. For two-year colleges, taking remedial classes was "not" associated with less academic success. In four-year colleges, there "are" negative effects of remedial coursework, but many minority students who complete a bachelor's…

Many argue that it is not at all idealistic to think that K-12 teachers can differentiate instruction to meet all children's needs while also adhering to standards and state performance testing. This article defines differentiated instruction, discusses its critical elements, and provides tips on how to start differentiation. Probably,…

This monograph describes Supplemental Instruction, a student assistance program designed to improve the academic success of college freshmen based on the idea that if students are not being successful in courses then perhaps colleges should change the way courses are taught. Supplemental Instruction (SI) utilizes regularly scheduled, out-of-class,…

A practicum took place in a summer remedial program for students with learning problems and specifically focused on five middle school students and how, with computer use and computer assisted instruction, the students increased their ability to recognize main ideas. The students in the target group, with the skills learned in the summer school…

In fall 1992, the Iowa Department of Education began pilot tests of the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS), an assessment system evaluating reading, math, and problem solving in a life skills context for adult remedial programs. This document provides reports from the nine community colleges that served as test sites, describing…

This monograph presents seven papers on the research, and pedagogical aspects of developmental education and implications for a definition of developmental education. After an introductory paper by the editors, the papers are: (1) "The New Science: Connections with Developmental Education" (Dana D. Darby); (2) "Issues Affecting the Definition of…

This study aims to contribute to the existing research exploring differences in mathematics achievement at the postsecondary level between males and females and minorities and non-minorities. This report explores and expands upon research that documents both cognitive and non-cognitive factors which facilitate or hinder mathematics achievement.…

This manual details the fundamental steps necessary to create a successful tutoring program. It is based on the experiences of the Anderson (South Carolina) School District One (ASDO) in their tutoring project initiated in 1989-90. The school district intended to increase homework completion, raise test scores, improve attendance, and generate…

The New Jersey Assembly Education Committee studied the development and administration of the New Jersey Department of Education's skills testing program. A committee meeting received testimony about the program and reviewed correspondence. The committee has found that the academic standards of the state must be raised and that a high school…

This research investigated the teaching of concrete chemical concepts and procedures to beginning chemistry students. Data were collected for this study from students enrolled in a university-level course for nonscience majors (n=171). In the topic studied, chemical bonding, four different teaching strategies were investigated: remediation of…