Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischer Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
Anne E. Mulder
Committee Member
Larry N. McCarthy
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
applied dissertation, Bevill State Community College, community college, developmental education, developmental education instructors, developmental education program, developmental studies programs, formative evaluation, gap analysis, higher education, program development, program effectiveness, program evaluation, research questions, student success
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to conduct a gap analysis, using a formative evaluation model, to compare the components of the developmental education program at Bevill State Community College (BSCC) to components of effective programs. The problem was that at least 40 percent of the students who complete the developmental education program at Bevill State Community College never enroll in college level courses. This analysis determined changes which could be made to increase the effectiveness of the program at BSCC. Eight procedures were completed to answer seven research questions.
The results of the study showed twenty-three areas which need to be addressed in order for the BSCC program to be effective. The results also showed that the BSCC program needs to be evaluated using a formative evaluation with seven particular components.
The completed study was submitted to the BSCC Office of Institutional Advancement, Planning, Research, and Institutional Effectiveness so that it may be distributed to the administrators and the developmental education instructors.