Learning disabilities and the developmental education program

Abstract

Community colleges face a new challenge: to provide appropriate instruction and services to learning‐disabled students.

Learning Disabilities Programs at Community Colleges and Four-Year Colleges and Universities

“…Although the literature states that two-year colleges more frequently utilize remediation as an intervention strategy (Almeida, 1991;Young & Staebler, 1987), community college focus group participants did not mention remedial programs or classes in any of their discussions.…”

“…Two-year institutions often provide a wide range of services to address the underprepared learner such as testing and career counseling ; tutoring in basic subjects; adult education and General Education Development (GED) training ; transfer opportunities to four-year institutions; developmental remedial education in reading, math, writing, and vocabulary ; and vocational assessment (Young & Staebler, 1987).…”

Services for Students with Learning Disabilities at Two- and Four-Year Institutions: Are They Different?

“…The mission of these two-year postsecondary institutions differs when compared to that of four-year institutions, and the differences should affect the types of services offered to students with learning disabilities (Almeida, 1991;Brinckerhoff, Shaw, & McGuire, 1993;Cohen, 1989;Johnson & Walberg, 1989;Mellard, 1994;Nelson & Kraft, 1989;Nelson, Smith, & Dodd, 1991;Young & Staebler, 1987). Almeida (1991) suggested that the community college mission focuses on three areas: (a) the transfer function, (b) job training and retraining, and (c) the education of underprepared students who possess low abilities in reading, math, and other learning skills.…”

“…Two-year postsecondary institutions provide a wide array of services to meet their mission of addressing the underprepared learner (Nelson & Kraft, 1989). Some of these services include (but are not limited to) testing and career counseling; tutoring in basic subjects; adult education and General Education Development (GED) training; opportunities for transfer to a four-year school; developmental remedial education in reading, math, writing, and vocabulary; and vocational assessment (Young & Staebler, 1987).…”