Based on research we did years ago, our college has a reading prerequisite for almost every college credit course offered. The evidence was dramatic and overwhelming. I will see if I can find the original study for you. We had to significantly increase the number of reading sections and hire a new faculty member. We still lose a lot of students, though.
Michael B. Quanty, Ph.D. Psychology Professor Senior Institutional Researcher Thomas Nelson Community College PO Box 9407 Hampton, VA 23670 Phone: 757.825.3500 Fax: 757.825.3807 -----Original Message----- From: Jeff Ricker [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, December 03, 2001 8:31 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: Reading prerequisite for intro psych? I am the chairperson of the Psychology Instructional Council that represents 10 colleges in Maricopa County (Phoenix metropolitan area), AZ. We make decisions on the psychology curriculum for all 10 schools. Anecdotal evidence has suggested to us for years that students who don't read very well have difficulty with intro psych. We are beginning to talk about instituting a reading prerequisite for the course. The idea is that students will have to receive a particular score or greater on a reading assessment test before they are allowed to take intro psych. I had two questions: 1. Do you have such a prerequisite at your school; and, if so, what has been its effects--especially its effects on students success and on enrollment in intro psych? 2. Is there any good research on this issue that can help us in our discussions? Thanks for any help you can give. Jeff -- Jeffry P. Ricker, Ph.D. Office Phone: (480) 423-6213 9000 E. Chaparral Rd. FAX Number: (480) 423-6298 Psychology Department [EMAIL PROTECTED] Scottsdale Community College Scottsdale, AZ 85256-2626 "Every man is a damn fool for at least five minutes every day; wisdom consists in not exceeding the limit." Elbert Hubbard Listowner: Psychologists Educating Students to Think Skeptically (PESTS) http://www.sc.maricopa.edu/sbscience/pests/index.html --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
