A new program linking the Phoenix Union High School District with local community colleges and state universities identifies high-risk high school students, brings their work up to college level, counsels them, and monitors their progress to graduation. The high dropout rate forced institutions in the different segments to cooperation. (MSE)

A study of a summer bridge program's effects on low-income and minority groups students during their first year at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that such programs can facilitate transition and adjustment to university or college life and improve academic performance and persistence rates. (Author/MSE)

Speculates on the causes of attrition in developmental-education classes, stating that two factors influencing it are how well a student identifies with his or her institution and the quality of faculty-student interaction. Asserts that institutions must be aware of the cultural histories and socialization experiences students bring with them, and…

A study reported the status of approximately 2,900 participants in the student-support-services program for disadvantaged college students, and of 2,900 comparable nonparticipating students three years after college entry, looking at grades received, number of credits accumulated, and retention rates. The study also collected information on how…

Asserts that the teaching profession needs to recognize the natural connections between multicultural and developmental education. Presents eight steps developmental educators can take to promote pluralism, including (1) establishing a clear link between cultural pluralism and institutional and programmatic mission and goals; (2) striving for…

This article feeds into the discussion of transitional issues begun in Volume 2 of "Arts and Humanities in Higher Education." It draws on research into A-level students' expectations of university English and how these compare to the experiences of first-year students, university lecturers and A-level teachers. The data presented are…

The process of transitioning from secondary to postsecondary education can be very complex and challenging. Many freshmen students are coming to college underprepared and in need of developmental education. The role of student services is to assist these students and their families with this important transition to postsecondary education by…

As a statewide initiative, New Jersey has been hosting teen leadership conferences for students with disabilities. The focus of the conferences is to address skills necessary to be successful in school and for transition to life after high school. The conferences are held throughout New Jersey at universities and colleges. Students with…

Responding to Brighouse's comments, we discuss ways that institutions of higher education themselves can increase access for low-income students. We argue for the important role of community colleges and for bridge programs that colleges can establish with middle and high schools to ensure that students take the subjects necessary to prepare them…

A study was conducted at Laramie County Community College to assess the performance of developmental students and evaluate the effectiveness of the college's testing and placement system. The study tracked students entering in fall 1993 whose placement scores identified them as developmental to determine actual enrollment and performance in…

Creative Values and Self-Image is a credit developmental studies course offered at Utah's Salt Lake Community College to help students assess their own values and self-image, learn and understand related theories and research, understand the relationship between their own values and self-image as they relate to goal setting, and apply the theories…

The second in a series on service-learning in the community college, this monograph presents 14 essays by community college faculty, chronicling their experiences in developing service-learning activities. Following two introductory essays describing the current status of service-learning and the purpose and organization of the monograph, the…

This study investigated the effects of a study skills course combined with or without class-specific tutoring, and whether or not faculty would be able to observe differences in behavior of high risk students as a result of student participation in the two different levels of intervention. Students (n=22) in the College Skills Development Program…

This paper briefly examines the key contexts of developmental education as it has evolved in the United States, focusing on historical perspectives; demographics of student diversity; evolving definitions; and the philosophical, political, and financial contexts of developmental education. The first section traces the evolution of developmental…

The effects of closed-captioned educational video as an instructional tool for improving reading comprehension and learning retention for students in college developmental studies programs were studied. Subjects were 168 students in Developmental Studies English and reading classes at a regional university in the Southeast and 168 first-year…