Argues that few students learn to think well within the disciplines and domains of knowledge and experience. Offers 18 ideas for students to utilize in order to become better critical thinkers and learners, including: (1) becoming an active learner; (2) becoming a questioner; and (3) looking for interconnections. First in a series of articles.…

Cites recent publications about developmental education. Offers annotated references to nine reports, studies, and briefs that cover issues ranging from the academic success of remedial students to the effectiveness of institutions' remedial programs. (NB)

The structure, experiences, and results of the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine's Postbaccalaureate Reapplicant Program are used as a case study to construct a blueprint for returning 85-90 percent of program participants to shortage areas while increasing minority student admissions. This success rate has been achieved through…

Describes the Medical/Dental Education Preparatory Program (MEDPREP) of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Over the course of its 30-year history, 68 percent of students have been accepted to professional schools, with 92 percent being accepted to medical schools and attending 90 different medical schools in the country. Of those…

Describes how supporters for TRIO and Gear Up, the two main federal programs that encourage low-income students to prepare for college, are girding for a battle over a proposed budget merger. (EV)

Reports on study of 20 classes of developmental studies mathematics at Middle Tennessee State University. The experimental group received mid-term grade reports, while the control group did not. The study found no significant difference between experimental group and control group between midterm and final grade report averages. Posttest scores…

Argues for the academic performance and retention benefits of Supplemental Instruction (SI). Among other things, SI increases retention, increases final course grade averages, increases overall GPAs, improves thinking and study skills, and increases graduation rates. Compares a list of Chickering's 7 Principles to the practices of SI programs.…

Describes the use of a focused learning strategy designed to help students in developing critical reading and writing skills. A major focus of the "learning to learn" strategy is decreasing student passivity through structured silent reading of relevant magazine and newspaper articles in a small group cooperative learning situation. (DMM)

A technique used to make developmental students more aware of the factors in academic success involves class discussion of the qualities of successful students and student self-evaluation according to those qualities. The approach has been useful in helping developmental students discover their unused capabilities. (MSE)

Results of a study involving 55 developmental studies college students indicate that regardless of reading competency levels, prior knowledge activation plus advance warning of possible inconsistencies in the text apparently facilitate students' comprehension of counterintuitive science text better than activation alone. (IAH)

Project AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a four-year elective high school program that prepares underachieving, disadvantaged students to attend college. The program is now implemented in 58 secondary schools in San Diego County, California. (TE)

Presents results from the first part of a two-part study of the characteristics of research conducted in the area of developmental education. Identifies the areas investigated, types of research being conducted, and the effectiveness of the research. Indicates that serious flaws were found in 63% of the studies reviewed. Discusses four factors…

Examines the advantages of linking two developmental writing classes to an early American history course, indicating that students were more motivated to do the college-level work and that they received college credit for the course. Describes benefits for both the teachers and students engaged in the project. (20 citations) (MAB)

A study of 1,012 college freshmen admitted through a developmental studies program and offered employment through a highly structured program of up to 8 work hours/week found those taking maximum advantage of the work opportunity had higher achievement and retention rates than others. Differences by race and gender, and student perceptions, are…

Reviews the types of remedial programs offered at community colleges and the ways learning resources centers (LRCs) have been involved. Notes professional calls for more active involvement in this area. Describes a model library/developmental education program and cites examples of successful literacy programs. (DMM)