The Step-Up to College Program was initiated in the summer of 1980 to provide basic skills instruction in English and mathematics for incoming freshmen, re-entry adult students, and high school students and adults considering college. Program participants who were enrolled in both the English and math courses (N=125) were asked to take part in a program evaluation which focused on students' characteristics, reasons for enrolling in the program, and perceptions of the program, as well as on marketing strategies and participant follow-up. Data were gathered from Cuyahoga's Student Information System, student questionnaires, reading and mathematics achievement tests, and interviews with program staff. The evaluation revealed that: (1) participants tended to be female, black students ranging in age from 12 to 34 years; (2) 22% were not enrolled full-time in high school or college in 1979-80; (3) students were most interested in earning college credits applicable to future attendance and in improving reading and writing skills; (4) students were least interested in career guidance and tutor assistance; (5) students enrolled in the Step-Up English and math classes earned higher grades than students enrolled in comparable summer quarter classes. Based on the evaluation, it was recommended that future programs last longer that 17 days, include student assessment, use descriptive grading, and include an orientation day. (KL)