The Role of Developmental Education Programs in Providing Educational Excellence.

Overview & Synopsis

This position paper by the Illinois Association for Personalized Learning Programs (IAPLP) argues that developmental education programs provide the means for improving the quality of education while maintaining equal opportunity and access to higher education. First, a summary of the IAPLP's position on developmental education is presented, along with recommendations concerning statewide and institutional support for developmental education, and the involvement of support services personnel in state and institutional decision making. After a section examining the resurgent national concern for excellence in education, the paper defines developmental education as learning assistance services, special assistance programs, and compensatory education; highlights the place of personalized learning programs within and beyond developmental education; looks at variations in developmental programs; and offers assumptions about developmental students as learners. The next section of the paper focuses on the issue of measuring quality, highlighting measures such as program completion, certification, and job placement rates; increases in grade point averages, test scores, and student persistence, and lowered attrition rates. Next, study findings are cited revealing the extent to which developmental programs in Illinois have achieved quality. A discussion is then provided of the unacceptable alternatives to academic assistance for underprepared students. Finally, the paper stresses the need for the support of developmental education programs as part of Illinois higher education's commitment to quality with equity. (AYC)