This fastback provides an overview of developmental education at the college level, focusing on what the concept means and how developmental education programs work. Developmental education is an umbrella term that includes both academic and social/psychological support services for underprepared students. Developmental education students are…

This annotated bibliography on developmental learners at the postsecondary level was compiled and edited from computer searches of relevant databases as well as a manual library search. Annotations are organized according to specific types of developmental learners and specific types of developmental education programs and services. Annotations…

This annotated bibliography contains abstracts of 36 dissertations on developmental education at the postsecondary level. Citations are listed alphabetically by author and range in date from 1985 through 1992. Substantial descriptive abstracts are provided for each citation. (DB)

The historical roots of developmental education are traced in a three-part article extending across three serial issues. "Educating All the Nation's People," by Hunter R. Boylan and William G. White, Jr., reviews the historical antecedents of developmental education, focusing on efforts in the 17th century to prepare English-speaking American…

In fall 1992, a study was conducted at the Eastern Campus of Cuyahoga Community College, in Ohio, to gather data on student performance in the developmental English program and propose appropriate rates of academic progress for different groupings of students. Academic records were analyzed for all 877 students enrolled in developmental English…

A study examined the effectiveness of a theory-based classroom instructional method for teaching the vocabulary acquisition process with college developmental reading-writing students. Subjects, 28 students in two sections of developmental freshmen composition, followed a step-by-step procedure in each of five unit plans. The objective of the…

This document contains a developmental curriculum plan for an articulated curriculum in automotive mechanics for Connecticut's Mattatuck Community College and area high schools. The curriculum guide includes a course description, criteria for evaluation, attendance policy, objectives, a curriculum outline, a three-part automotive technician test,…

The Alternative Freshman Year (AFY) program instituted at a community college extension of an eastern university can serve as a model for other developmental education programs. The program, now in its fourth year, helps to upgrade the language and math skills of academically and emotionally unprepared students. Students are admitted to the…

The special nature of remedial programs and the variance in definitions, components, purposes, and structures are discussed to help institutional researchers design program evaluations. The term "remedial program" is used to refer to any combination of courses, support services, testing, placement practices, and institutional policies…

A description is provided of a pilot study conducted at Butte College to develop and test evaluation procedures for the college's remedial and developmental reading, English, and math programs. Part I of the report includes five sections: (1) a description of the remedial reading, English, and mathematics programs as they existed at Butte College…

The developmental college student, distinguished by lower than average academic scores, may also experience the inhibiting fear of communication, speech anxiety. Students who are both developmental and communication apprehensive lack confidence in their personal academic abilities, and thus develop poor attitudes toward learning and low academic…

This report describes Georgia's Gainesville College's (GC's) student retention program, assesses its effectiveness, and highlights recent or anticipated program changes. Part I offers background information on the college and its students and their educational plans and goals. Part II presents retention figures for full-time students, including…

Developmental writing students pose particular problems for composition instruction because of their pragmatic orientation and because they come from and live in an oral, nonliterate culture. The writing instructor must create writing situations that make real-world demands and bring about real-world consequences, and assign topics that students…

Leadership styles and management skills needed by directors and coordinators of learning assistance and developmental education were assessed. Based on a literature review, a questionnaire was constructed and then validated by a panel of experts in the field. The questionnaire was sent to 45 selected learning assistance/developmental education…

Drawing from the experiences of the remedial/developmental program at Rockland Community College (RCC), this paper suggests a series of strategies for serving the educationally disadvantaged community college student amidst the economic and political pressures of the 1980s. Introductory comments identify the objectives for the development of…