Describes a study conducted at a large west coast state university, comparing holistic scores on developmental writing program final essays when the same essays were handwritten and computer typed. Reveals a bias against typed final essays, especially in essays which received high scores in the handwritten form. (DMM)

Describes the use of interactive computing in a college reading/study skills course. Focuses on the use of Realtime Writer, an interactive communication system, and Word Perfect, a word processing program, to improve students' writing skills. Reviews major software and hardware components, uses of both programs, and advantages. (DMM)

Reviews the literature on grammar instruction in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classes, highlighting the concerns of ESL students in communicating ideas in written English and the way in which overconcern with grammatical precision can impede the flow of ideas. Concludes that contextualization is the most effective pedagogy. (DMM)

Describes a study in which remedial mathematics students were assessed to measure beliefs about the nature of mathematics and themselves as mathematics learners. Students had a poor conception of mathematics and their ability to perform. Particularly for men, beliefs about mathematics were strongly related to course grade. (DMM)

Describes the procedures and results of a two-year project to improve the learning skills of first-year college students, focusing on aspects of students' daily lives and on effective study actions, strategies, and attitudes. Student achievement was higher than a comparative cohort, and differences were maintained into the second year. (DMM)

Presents a rationale for including applied functions and graphs in developmental mathematics courses, arguing that the ability to construct, interpret, and represent functional relationships is important in every discipline. Discusses student difficulties with abstract and applied functions and curricular and instructional implications. (DMM)

Reviews research on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator's (MBTI's) use in personalizing the basic writing curriculum. Describes an MBTI-based study of personality and writing performance in a basic writing class. Identifies ways MBTI results can inform teacher feedback and the use of prewriting, small groups, computers, and essay tests. (DMM)

Explores literacy models implicit in reading instruction theory and implications of models and standardized reading tests for developmental educators. Compares outer-directed and autonomous literacy models (e.g., reading as interpretation versus technical skill; meaning occurring between reader and text versus being in text; readers in discourse…

Identifies failings in the notions of cultural literacy espoused by Hirsch, Bloom, Bennett, and Ravitch. Discusses the dangers of reacculturation as an educational aim. Urges educators to consider the cultural adjustments they ask their students to make to succeed academically and the support students are given. (DMM)

Describes the five-week, tuition-free Prefreshman Summer Program developed by the College of Staten Island to reduce or eliminate the need for developmental courses during the academic year. The program includes intensive reading, writing, and mathematics instruction, supplemental tutoring, college orientation, counseling, and academic advising.…

Describes the Developmental Inventory of Sources of Stress, an instructional tool to assist counselors, advisors, and faculty working with high-risk first-year students. The DISS helps students understand the sources of stress they can control. Describes the DISS's Time Management, Physical Lifestyle, Chemical Stressors, Academic and Interactive…

Describes Rochester Institute of Technology's College Restoration Program for students who have been suspended or placed on academic probation, focusing on the recently added math component. Covers the individualized noncredit math course from placement through evaluation. Analyzes outcomes, revealing an increase in student grade point averages.…

Reports on a study comparing the reading attitudes of developmental reading students and teacher education students at a large midwestern university and community-dwelling adults. Developmental students had significantly lower reading attitude scores, but their reading performance was independent of reading attitude. (DMM)

Describes a five-year study at University College, University of Cincinnati, comparing the writing of basic writing students who (1) did not use computers; (2) used a computer and word processing program; and (3) used a supplementary program guiding students through the writing process. Reports no significant differences in writing quality. (DMM)

Presents preliminary evaluation results regarding the reading component of the Learning Center at a four-year private university. Assesses the appropriateness of reading placement cutoff scores, the proportion of low-ability readers who succeed at the college, and success of students who follow placement recommendations compared with those who do…