This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Moss, B. G. Articles by Yeaton, W. H. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Shaping Policies Related to Developmental Education: An Evaluation Using the Regression-Discontinuity Design

Wayne State University and Oakland Community College

William H. Yeaton

University of Michigan Institute for Social Research

Utilizing the regression-discontinuity research design, this article explores the effectiveness of a developmental English program in a large, multicampus community college. Routinely collected data were extracted from existing records of a cohort of first-time college students followed for approximately 6 years (N = 1,473). Results are consistent with a conclusion that students’ participation in the program increases English academic achievement to levels similar to those of students not needing developmental coursework. The findings are also consistent with a conclusion that those students in greatest need of developmental English benefit the most from the program. This study provides an inexpensive, inferentially rigorous, program evaluation strategy that can be applied with few additional efforts to assess existing programs and to guide policy decisions.

Key Words: college English • developmental education • policy analysis • program evaluation • regression-discontinuity • research design • student outcomes

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. T. Goldstein and D. Perin Predicting Performance in a Community College Content-Area Course from Academic Skill Level Community College Review, October 1, 2008; 36(2): 89 - 115. [Abstract] [PDF]