ERIC Number: ED229087
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1983-Apr-1
Pages: 19
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
A Base Rate Approach to Evaluating Developmental Mathematics and English Courses at a Community College.
Hector, Judith H.
A study was conducted at Walters State Community College (WSCC) using a "base rate" approach to evaluate developmental mathematics and English courses. The study involved the collection of data on students' success rates in developmental courses and later in college-level courses; on developmental students' success rates compared with those of non-developmental students; and on the relationship of developmental and college-level course grades. Data for fall 1977 through winter 1979 were used as an initial base rate against which data from three subsequent six-quarter periods were compared. The study revealed: (1) during the base rate period, 62% of the students enrolled in developmental mathematics and developmental writing courses passed with a C or better; (2) in subsequent periods, C grades or higher were achieved by 57% (1978-80), 63% (1979-81), and 64% (1980-82) of the mathematics students; (3) of the successful developmental writing students who later enrolled in English Composition, 70% passed the college-level course in 1977-80, compared to 59% in 1978-80, 71% in 1979-81, and 60% in 1980-82; (5) of the successful developmental math students who later enrolled in Math Analysis, approximately 75% passed the college-level course in each six-quarter period; and (6) the grade distribution of former developmental students compared favorably with the overall grade distribution in both English and Math college-level courses. (DAB)
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative; Numerical/Quantitative Data
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A