In 1988, a follow-up study was conducted to describe and evaluate the academic progress of students who had been the subjects of fall 1986 and fall 1987 Learning Assessment Retention Consortium (LARC) student outcomes studies. The study samples included 2,012 students who had completed a remedial writing course at one of 10 participating…

In Connecticut, the Board of Trustees for Community-Technical Colleges mandated the assessment and placement of entering community college students, adopting the New Jersey College Basic Skills Placement Test (NJCBSPT) for a systemwide pilot test beginning in spring 1989. At (then) South Central Community College, a study was conducted to…

The 16 chapters of this volume describe a wide variety of developmental programs intended to promote skill development and enhance academic performance for high-risk students at all levels of higher education. Following an introductory chapter by the editors, the chapters are: (1) "The Origin, Scope, and Outcomes of Developmental Education in the…

In 1990, a study was conducted to determine whether a relationship existed between the attitudes of directors and instructors regarding developmental education and students' ratings of their courses or instructors in remedial and developmental studies. Eleven of Tennessee's 12 community colleges participated in the project. Data were collected…

A study is reported that investigated whether the foreign language learning outcomes of the poorest performers in Finnish schools could be improved by intensive remedial teaching. An experimental approach was taken with a group of 12 sixth grade students in a suburban school in Helsinki. Four were poor, four were average, and four were good…

Two "early alert" pilot projects were established at Antelope Valley College, in California, to develop a follow-up system to ensure regular monitoring of student progress for early detection of academic difficulty. Two committees were established to explore and develop early alert strategies; the first focusing on basic skills courses…

This document describes the systematic approach used at Philips High School (PHS) in Birmingham, Alabama, to collect, store, and use various diagnostic tools when assisting special population enrollees with choices influencing their educational/occupational goals. It explains how the Differential Aptitude Test (DAT) is used in combination with…

This paper describes a special class program for gifted students (aged 9 to 12) with learning disabilities in Calgary (Alberta). The program has evolved over its 4 years to stress kinesthetic, experiential learning. The issue of remediation versus enrichment was resolved when it was found that the students responded best to whole theme…

A practicum addressed the problem of low self-esteem of at-risk students by developing and implementing a 12-week dropout prevention program for 19 eighth-grade students in urban, middle class school. The program used five basic strategies for raising self-esteem: affective skills training (using role playing, mapping, and brainstorming to help…

Cognitively-based writing instruction for educationally disadvantaged students is examined, focusing on epistemic writing. The object of epistemic writing is to inquire into a particular topic and to familiarize/persuade the reader with the fruits of the investigation. In reviewing the distinctions between novice and expert writers, two models of…

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the English language training for Navy recruits at the English Technical Language School (ETLS) in Puerto Rico is reported. The study covers the period of December 7, 1981, to September 30, 1983. It tracked Puerto Rican Army National Guard (PRANG) personnel from completion of English language training through…

Project Kanpe was a bilingual program intended to help older, talented Haitian students at three New York City high schools acquire English language proficiency while developing their academic skills. According to this evaluation, the project instead served students in critical need of basic skills and remediation. The following points are made:…

The Perach Tutorial Project, in which university students tutor Israeli children from socially disadvantaged areas in mathematics and reading, was originally designed for pupils in grades 5-8. This study investigated its use with children in grades 3, 4, 6, and 7 tutored for the regular one-year period or for two years. At each grade level, 11…

This document comprises an evaluation of the first-year implementation of the Junior High School Student Assistance Program (JHSSAP), a dropout prevention program of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). JHSSAP is comprised of the following components: (1) Extended Counseling (EC), providing 8 hours per week of auxiliary counseling at…

The military has responded to recent demographic projections by upgrading its literacy standards: almost 95 percent of new recruits are high school graduates. In order to maintain its high recruitment standard, the military relies heavily on a standardized test, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. Those who have not graduated from high…