In fall 1978, Sacramento City College initiated the Higher Education Learning Package (HELP) to promote the success and retention of students with basic skill deficiencies while mainstreaming them into regular courses. Students work with instructors and tutors in small groups and on a one-to-one basis. Using an integrative team teaching approach, instruction builds on student experience, and progress is measured in terms of established competency criteria. Students commit themselves to a two-package one-year program, taking one package each semester. Package 1 consists of English (written communication skills), psychology (personal relations), mathematics (basic arithmetic), and developmental reading. Package 2 consists of speech (oral communication skills), social science (American institutions), and human development (basic college skills such as note-taking and career planning). By the end of the year students should have completed 24 units towards an associate of arts degree. During the first year, attrition among the two groups of 39 and 45 students each was approximately 25% and 22% respectively. External factors, over which the college had no control, were responsible for many students leaving the program. Another factor influencing attrition was that many students entered the program with skills below the sixth grade level around which the program was designed. (MB)