Ten community colleges in Texas sent participants to a faculty and administrators' conference, whose purpose was to discuss all points covering basic-studies programs and to see where consensus and differences of opinion existed among the people who actually operate those programs. This transcript of the conference covers the following topics: (1)…

This document is an outline for a course designed to teach Chicano students basic skills and study habits that will help them achieve success at the community college. Skills focused on include how to manage study time, how to take notes, how to make an outline, how to listen critically, and how to use the library. Course goals and objectives are…

Underprepared students deserve targeted instruction and practical content to develop communication skills. To implement a narrow, traditional approach in teaching these skills would be shortsighted and ultimately disastrous. (Author/LBH)

Investigated the effect of two variables on remedial students' performance in freshman composition: attending a remedial grammar course, and receiving tutoring at a skills development center. Found that tutoring had a significant positive impact on students, but that the grammar course had a negative effect. (ARH)

This article provides an initial look at the matches and mismatches between expectations held for vocational education programs and empirically observed outcomes. Three types of claims for vocational education were compared with recent research. The article concludes with recommendations for improving the alignment between expectations and…

Describes a study of 200 employers in which the key questions were: How many people do you train each year? How many person hours of training occur? What subjects are studied? How much money is spent? Results are reported and analyzed. (CT)

Literature describing the scope and characteristics of employer-based training (EBT) in the United States and the evidence to date about the effectiveness of such training was reviewed in order to help categorize the types of programs or strategies that show promise in terms of improving skills or increasing productivity. For the review, training…

Describes a field study in which the mathematics portion of the PLATO Basic Skills Learning System was used in remedial courses for high school and adult education students at three Florida high schools. Analysis shows that the PLATO system is effective and cost-efficient. (JJD)

Enumerates six arguments against teaching developmental students thinking skills. Counterposes such arguments as "It takes too much time" and "Basic skills should take priority over thinking skills" with 12 attributes which, if developed, enhance students' ability to learn, choose, and act effectively, e.g., seeing relationships and analyzing…

A national research project, known as the CRSP (Career Related Skills Project) which suggests that liberal arts study teaches students skills needed for employment in the field of commerce, as well as in all occupational fields, is described. (MLW)

Reports a study to discover a relationship between science process skills of secondary school students and their sex, age, grade in school, interest in careers in science, and number of completed science courses. Results indicate a relationship exists, although it is not strong. (Author/SA)

Evaluation of student minimal competency should be based partly on national concerns, partly on local concerns, and partly on the needs of the learner. Evaluation must be built into all levels. (JMF)

Describes an attempt on the part of an engineering faculty to develop problem-solving skills in its undergraduate students. It includes a course description in problem solving. (SA)

When science is learned through an activity-centered approach, it becomes a vehicle for learning skills that are necessary for everyday life. (Author)

Describes a case study of a second-language student's writing process and development over the course of two years. Provides both a qualitative and quantitative perspective to second-language writing development. Presents a rationale for analyzing errors and syntactic maturity to better understand strategies employed by students when writing in a…