Much of recent research in postsecondary developmental education leaves the distinct impression that most remedial courses in community colleges are unsuccessful in helping students and that they should be entirely overhauled. Legislators and administrators are now taking these recommendations very seriously and are ready to cut programs that are…

Developmental education has increasingly become part of the national debate in higher education. This is particularly true for developmental mathematics courses which, in general, have the highest rates of failure and non-completion of any developmental subject area. This manuscript describes the current state of the art in developmental…

Developmental education has increasingly become part of the national debate in higher education. This is particularly true for developmental mathematics courses which, in general, have the highest rates of failure and noncompletion of any developmental subject area. This manuscript describes the current state of the art in developmental…

This article presents an interview with Dr. Paul Nolting, a national expert in assessing individual math learning problems, developing effective student learning strategies, and assessing institutional variables that affect math success. Since his dissertation in 1986 on improving math success with study skills Dr. Nolting has consulted with over…

Students who are seriously academically deficient, those who are underprepared in all subjects, face many academic challenges as they begin their coursework in higher education. However, students also face nonacademic and personal issues that create additional barriers to success. The results of this study suggest that increases in student success…

This manuscript proposes a theoretical model that provides an alternative for assessing, advising, and placing underprepared students in colleges and universities. It advocates combining cognitive and affective assessment data along with information about students' personal circumstances to make more precise placement decisions via advising that…

Dr. Byron McClenney is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Educational Administration and serves on the staff of the Community College Leadership Program at the University of Texas-Austin as Project Director for Achieving the Dream. He was previously the President of the Community College of Denver. As President of the Community College of…

Argues that a student's intellectual development can be improved by interacting with students of a different ethnic background. Recommends increasing retention of minority students by focusing on developmental education in a systematic way. Also recommends that developmental educators should view diversity in the classroom as a benefit and not a…

Examines the literature regarding the cost of delivering postsecondary remedial education. Describes five studies that offer statewide and national estimates of such costs. Offers insight into the limited amount of research available on the topic, the considerable difficulties involved in collecting information, and the opposing philosophies and…

Reports on the need for developmental education to prepare students for success in higher education. Looks at the performance of developmental students and their characteristics. Describes the role community and technical colleges play as providers of developmental education, characteristics of a successful developmental program, and ways to…

Discusses criticisms of remedial courses and counters some with evidence from research. Describes the traditional approach to remedial-course delivery and explores alternatives, such as freshman seminars, supplemental instruction, paired courses, and critical-thinking instruction. Calls for a systematic relationship between assessment, advising,…

Describes a national study to determine the relationship between seven service components and student success and retention in developmental education programs. Reports that centralized program organization, mandatory assessment and placement, tutoring with tutor training, and systematic program evaluation were most closely related to student…

Deputy Undersecretary Linda Combs, U.S. Department of Education (ED), comments on developmental education personnel's role in the public education reform movement, colleges' remedial education responsibilities, ED's role in responding to national literacy requirements and position on postsecondary developmental education, the access vs. excellence…