Developmental Education

Why Developmental Education

I believe that the success of a community college is in educating and graduating students.  Without either of them how could a CC exist?  I found the following definition on NADE website.  A field of practice and research in higher education that provides courses and academic support to students who are deemed to be academically and/or emotionally underprepared for college level courses (National Association of Developmental Education, 2010).  

Graduation Rates

Graduation rates at community colleges nationwide are shockingly low, currently 18% within three years of initial enrollment (Jaschik, 2011).  According to this information I believe the leadership of CC will have to plan and research to increase these rates.  I think students desire to complete their education.

Open Access

Due to the open-door policies of community colleges, i.e. only requiring a high school diploma or G.E.D. for admission, many students require developmental courses prior to being eligible to take credit-bearing courses (Boylan & Bonham, 2007).  

Community colleges have certain advantages over other colleges and universities, because the nature of the student body has dictated the necessity for including developmental education as part of the underlying or basic structure of education (Grubb, 2001).  There is also a strong commitment in community colleges to teaching.  According to Grubb, "Community colleges may have the greatest chance of doing it [remedial/developmental education] well" (p. 9).

The video below provides current data, suggestions, and changes for developmental education.

References

Boylan, H.R., & Bonham, B.S. (2007).  30 years of developmental education: A retrospective. Journal of Developmental Education, 30(3)2-4

(Community)  College Readiness.  (2014, December 14).  Retrieved February 21, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb4Te7E2BfE

Grubb, W. (2001). From black box to Pandora's Box: Evaluating remedial/developmental education. New York: Teachers College, Columbia University, Community College Research Center.

Jaschik, S. (2011). Community colleges and graduation rates.  Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved from http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2007/03/22/ccdata

National Association of Developmental Education (2010).  About NADE: Mission and purpose. Retrieved from http://www.nade.net/aboutNADE.html