Techniques designed to improve basic competencies of minority students attending selected, historically black colleges are reviewed. The efforts to improve instruction in targeted subject areas have been implemented with the assistance of the Southern Regional Education Board. Attention is directed to: modification of curricula and instructional techniques, particularly at the freshman and sophomore levels; learning centers; outreach to high school students and teachers; and institutionwide support services. Curricular modifications in the natural sciences and mathematics are described for the following schools: Xavier University in Louisiana, North Carolina Central University, Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, and Jackson State University in Mississippi. Efforts to improve communication skills of students undertaken by Florida A&M University and Virginia Union University are described, as are Piagetian-based instructional techniques at Xavier University (Project SOAR in Chemistry) and North Carolina Central University (Physics Projects). In addition to modified offerings, new courses have been developed: Literature of Science Course (Jackson State) and Scientific Instrumentation (North Carolina Central). A number of the colleges have implemented learning centers, which range from those that provide tutorial services to those that utilize sophisticated equipment and techniques. In addition, viable outreach projects implemented by the schools include: campus tours, mathematics/science Olympiad competition, programs for high school teachers, and summer programs for high school students. It is concluded that programs for improving student competencies and student retention will not be effective without strong support services reflecting institutionwide cooperation. (SW)