We describe a program that provides structured practice of prerequisite material to students in an ordinary differential equations course using an existing automated homework system originally designed for precalculus and calculus classes. The goal of the program is to improve students' comprehension of material presented in class by timing the…

A study examined the way in which stockpiling job applications affects a firm's search for a new employee when an opening arises and the extent to which employers make use of applications they have stockpiled. Data on these questions were obtained from a survey of 2,264 employers that was sponsored by the National Institute of Education and the…

Seven schools that have re-evaluated their needs for standardized college admissions examinations were studied to explore their admissions and innovative testing policies. The schools include: (1) Bates College in Lewiston, Maine; (2) Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine; (3) Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration in Cambridge,…

Guidelines for the higher education curriculum are presented, with attention directed to prerequisite courses, general education, educational objectives, criteria for selecting staff to monitor required courses, and professional education. Two specific concerns are the need to provide specific and well-written course descriptions in the general…

Correlations derived from this study indicate that undergraduate students' (N=24) and graduate students' (N=18) performance in statistical methods is not strongly influenced by their aptitude in computer science. One implication is that no computer science prerequisite is necessary for courses utilizing statistical packages. (JN)

Describes a study to determine the effectiveness of a new policy at Michigan's Muskegon Community College mandating prerequisite courses for all general education (GE) courses. Compares outcomes for students who met prerequisites to those who did not but took GE courses anyway. Finds that qualified students did significantly better. (AJL)

This paper describes computer-aided cognitive rehabilitation for mentally deficient persons. It lists motor, cognitive, emotional, and educational prerequisites to such rehabilitation and states advantages and disadvantages in using the prerequisites. (JDD)

This study of 82 hearing-impaired children (ages 6 to 36 months) sought to provide normative data concerning their communication efforts and to document the course of development of these earliest communication efforts. The study found that certain cognitive abilities and strategies are prerequisite to the development of certain language…

Reports findings from a survey of two-year and four-year college microbiology teachers in Texas, identifying the skills and knowledge identified by senior college faculty as prerequisites to upper-level microbiology courses and differences in the depth of cover of curricular items between two- and four-year institutions. (DMM)

Describes a model for addressing prerequisite mathematics needs. A small set of prerequisite skills for the content course is identified and assessed, and students needing extra help are assisted. Targeted students include those with only marginal deficits rather than those needing full course remediation. Presents results from empirical testing…

Discussion of prior learning and acquired knowledge focuses on a study at Ben Gurion University (Israel) that examined the occurrence and nature of learning in an earth science course and its relations with prior knowledge from a prerequisite course. Highlights include concept definitions; cognitive mapping; course sequencing; and course design.…

Presents findings from a study of teaching practices in Principles of Economics courses at Michigan's 29 community colleges. Describes course prerequisites; textbooks used; lecture supplements; and the use of experiential learning tools, such as computers and field trips. Presents three recommendations for improving student preparation in…

Seventy undergraduate class sections were examined from the database of Astronomy Diagnostic Test (ADT) results of Deming and Hufnagel to determine if course format correlated with ADT normalized gain scores. Normalized gains were calculated for four different classroom scenarios: lecture, lecture with discussion, lecture with lab, and lecture…

Drawing from research and observations at Lansing Community College (Michigan) (LCC), this paper argues that typical arithmetic courses do little to prepare students to master algebra, and proposes an alternative set of arithmetic skills as actual prerequisites to algebra. The first section offers a description of the algebra sequence at LCC,…

This bulletin from the Center for Statistics (CS) attempts to shed light on the potential impact of new college eligibility requirements linking extracurricular participation to academic performance. The CS-sponsored longitudinal study, "High School and Beyond" (HS&B), was used as the data source for estimates; the information on…