Programs

ThiS study assesses the effectiveness of innovative prograMs for high risk students at four community junior colleges with somewhat different approaches to remedial education. Each program is described,inqterms of organizational,structure, subject matter content, instructional strategies, counseling services, philosophy and objectives, grading practices,"and student selection criteria. Effectiveness was assessed in terms of student persistence (number of semesters of full-time enrollment). and academic performance (grade point average) for both program and control group students. Both groups of students were stratified according to ACT scores, race-ethnic group, and academic year. General Conclusions were: (1) high risk. students- in spec/ial programs tend to persist to a greater degree and achieve academically at a higher level than comparable high risk students in regular programs; (2), there, is an,. indidation that each year academic.performance and persistence rates of high risk students in special programSlare increasing; and (3) minority group students tend to persist and achieve academically to a greater degree than majority.group'students. (RN) n, 11:11 tiVAFFef 0U.S. OEPARTMENT OF HEALTH