Developmental Education Reform to Improve Student Outcomes: Findings from Four Evaluations

This symposium strove to expand the developmental education research base by featuring findings from four evaluations. Because research teams are carrying out the evaluations in close coordination with policymakers, each has the potential to inform future policy decisions, and two are already influencing policy implementation at the state level.

The symposium addressed these issues:

1. How can colleges accurately assess students for placement into (and out of) developmental education in order to promote academic success?
2. Which developmental education reform strategies are effective in facilitating students’ success in subsequent coursework and completion of college?
3. What are the impacts of developmental education reform for historically-underrepresented student groups?

Participants

Elisabeth Barnett, Community College Research Center and CAPR

Elizabeth Zachry Rutschow, MDRC and CAPR

James Benson, Institute of Education Sciences

Christopher M. Mullin, Strong Start to Finish

Paco Martorell, UC-Davis

Christine Mokher, Florida State University