A public education system's effectiveness should be based primarily on whether graduates have been equipped to be productive workers following program completion. Otherwise, neither the system nor the completion certificate (diploma) is worth the tax dollars spent. As Kentucky's education commissioner, the author found it woefully apparent that…

The Commission on Education and Employment Opportunities for Young People (Youth Commission) aims to find ways to improve education and employment opportunities for England's 16-24-year olds. Previous reports have analysed how challenges for this population vary across England, and how demographic and economic changes will alter the context for…

Defined as language, literacy and numeracy, and employability skills, foundation skills are essential for individuals to participate in further education, employment and wider society. Community education providers, such as community colleges, neighbourhood houses, faith-based organisations and adult learning associations, are key providers of…

Detailed analyses are given of the most effective teaching techniques in each of four major basic skills areas: writing, reading, English as a second language, and mathematics. Six basic questions are addressed for each area: (1) What are the objectives of skills programs in this area? (2) What are the different skills levels of entering students,…

A statement regarding what is needed in academic preparation for college in the 1980s, which was developed during 1980-81 under th aegis of the College Board's Project EQuality, is presented. The work of school and college teacher in cooperation with other professionals addresses expectations about six basic academic competencies that should have…

One of four reports describing the basic skills programs in writing, reading, English as a second language, and mathematics at the City University of New York (CUNY), this volume describes the reading programs--including administrative structure, course structure and content, and faculty--for nine senior colleges and eight community colleges in…

A project designed to evaluate the quality of basic skills programs in writing, reading, and mathematics, which was implemented at a regional university and a community college within a statewide system in the Southeastern United States, is described. A multiple-indicator strategy was used, involving both short-range and long-range postprogram…

Evaluation results for the College Bound (C.B.) program at New York City public schools are presented. The C.B. program seeks to improve reading and mathematics skills of high school students who are 2 or more years below grade level and to prepare these students for college. It includes basic skills instruction in reading, career and college…

The knowledge and skills needed by college entrants are described in depth. Attention is directed to six basic academic competencies that are general skills necessary for effective work in all subjects, along with six basic academic subjects on which college-level study is based. The following basic academic competencies are outlined: reading,…

The New Jersey College Basic Skills Placement Test (NJCBSPT) was instituted in 1978 as a proficiency examination designed to measure the reading, writing, and mathematics skills of students entering college. In spring and summer 1982, 51,135 students at New Jersey's state and county colleges and at 10 independent colleges took the NJCBSPT. Of…

A study was conducted at Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC) to examine the separate and combined effects of entering basic skills levels and curriculum-related variables (i.e., grades in required English and math courses, the length of time between the course and the test, and the number of credits in developmental courses) in predicting student…

Outcome data are presented for students who participated in the 1985-1986 College Discovery and Development (CDD) program, which is affiliated with the City University of New York, and provides basic skills instruction in reading, writing, and/or mathematics. Information is included on the participants rate; reading, writing, and mathematics test…

The importance of specific academic skills for entering college students was assessed based on the views of 80 Indiana University faculty members who were teaching 100-level courses during the fall semester 1982-1983. Findings include the following: reading, reasoning, speaking/listening, and studying are academic skills judged necessary for…

Project EQuality, initiated by the College Board in response to the 17-year decline in high school students' college admissions test scores, is described. The project is an effort to enlist schools and colleges in a cooperative campaign to strengthen the quality of secondary education and to carry further the gains of equal opportunity made over…

Describes the Passaic County Community College Academic Foundations Program which: (1) conducts student assessment; (2) provides academic and basic skills training through the Program's learning center; (3) integrates the teaching of thinking skills with instruction in writing, reading, and mathematics; and (4) established high academic standards…