Reviews 4 key intervention strategies for students at risk: (1) Sorting (of students into homogeneous subgroups); (2) Supporting (of students dealing with life's problems); (3) Connecting (of students with each other and the institution); and (4) Transforming (of students and the institution). (50 references) (JDI)

Urges two-year colleges to embrace the academic education of underprepared students as part of their institutional mission, provide appropriate remedial courses for students with lower academic skills, and offer workshops and training sessions for faculty to equip them with the skills needed to properly assist and teach these students. (DMM)

Describes a competency based business mathematics course offered at Spokane Falls Community College (Washington) in which students, through the use of calculators, master mathematical concepts without having to mentally add columns of figures or perform complex arithmetic problems on paper. Examines both the mathematical and 10-key skills…

Describes the ASSET, a student success system for two-year institutions designed for student advising, placement, and retention. The American College Testing (ACT) Program's Underprepared Student Follow-up Report (UPSFUR) indicated a successful completion rate for developmental courses. States that UPSFUR can be used to determine placement program…

Identifies problems that will face community college leaders in the mid-1990s (e.g., social and economic stratification, poorly prepared students, and questions about institutional mission and role). Considers the consequences of efforts to implement a comprehensive mission. Speculates on the character of the new generation of colleges and their…

Examines the impact of new student populations on community colleges. Notes the proliferation of remedial programs, individualized instruction, and diagnostic testing and placement services in response to student learning problems and the expansion of noncredit offerings, experiential learning credit, and cooperative education programs responding…

Discusses the causes of an ever-widening rift between college and high school. States that neither meets the needs of the other or the students. Argues for enhanced communication between schools and colleges, cooperative efforts to remediate students' skills deficiencies and ease the school-college transition, and improved research capabilities.…

Focuses on: (1) the findings of studies of the characteristics and prevalence of underprepared college students; (2) the status of the basic skills movement and of state-level basic skills testing programs in each state; and (3) responses community colleges must make to deal with underprepared students. (AYC)

Provides a literature review on the use of entry assessment, citing those who consider assessment tantamount to tracking and those who see it as constructive assistance. Offers examples of two colleges that use assessment to provide remedial and nonremedial students with equal options, and an inducement-based model emphasizing early prevention.…

Examines and evaluates three approaches used by community colleges to provide academic assistance to educationally underprepared students: offering compensatory programs and services as electives; requiring certain students to participate in skills courses; and offering basic skills instruction as part of regular courses. (DMM)

Describes a study examining the perceptions of administrators, counselors, faculty, and underprepared students about the integration of underprepared students in an urban community college. Indicates that students unrealistically evaluate their academic integration and that college officials do not view academic and social integration in the same…

Describes a study of the validity and reliability of a writing skills assessment test taken by 4,284 2-year college students in 1986-87. Assesses interrater reliability, influences of nonperformance factors (e.g., gender, native language, and form of test), predictive validity of test for future performance, and implications of findings. (DMM)

Reviews literature and statistics on the increasing incidence of underprepared students entering postsecondary education, highlighting the community colleges' role in responding to students' needs. Puts forth reasons for providing remedial education related to the magnitude of the problem, access for educationally disadvantaged, adult students,…

Analyzes data from a freshman survey instrument and three-year outcomes data to define differences in college-ready and underprepared students classified according to a computerized placement test. Describes significant differences between underprepared and college-ready students and discusses their findings in relationship to the literature on…