 |
 |
On 12 Apr 99 at 9:32, Dr. Karen Smith wrote: > We shouldn't ignore the fact that, in all probability, the community > college faculties do a far better job -- on the whole -- in teaching > students with developmental course needs than university faculty do. > There are exceptions, of course, but the huge majority of > university faculty are interested in gaining tenure, which largely > has nothing to do with teaching.... Except some community colleges also grant tenure, and some universities (e.g. Valdosta State U., Georgia) have developmental studies programs in which the faculty are not eligible for tenure. I don't want to slam community colleges because I have taught at some and agree that they do a wonderful job. Perhaps the difference is not CC vs. university but how the developmental courses are assigned. I seem to recall someone at a developmental studies research conference a few years ago saying the most effective DS programs were in institutions that had a centralized DS department or division. When faculty concentrate on developmental courses, instead of being, say, the junior math department faculty member who drew the short straw that semester, there is, IMHO, a greater likelihood of success because the faculty member actually cares and believes that it's okay for the developmental student to have been admitted to the school. Of course this is just another gross generalization with plenty of exceptions. (Here in Tennessee we're just worried about funding, period. The legislature and the governor are at odds about how to restructure the tax system. Even though the economy is good, we face a big budget deficit next year unless something changes. And guess what will see the biggest budget cut, according the governor? Higher education at all levels!) Daryl Stephens <[log in to unmask]> <http://www.etsu.edu/devstudy/> Instructor of Developmental Math, East Tennessee State University Box 70620, Johnson City, TN 37614 *New* office phone (423) 439-4676 Fax: (423) 439-7446