"Believe You Have Something to Say": Highly Effective Community College Teachers of Developmental English Courses

• In Event: 34.052 - Community College Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Despite the fact that nearly 40 percent of college students are enrolled in community colleges, there is little consensus regarding effective teaching practices for this population--especially in gateway courses. The purpose of this study was to identify patterns across highly effective community college teachers of developmental English courses. Teachers were identified as effective if more than 70 percent of their students in a developmental English courses went on to pass their subsequent credit-bearing English course. Findings indicate that by undergirding all they do with care--ranging from their planning, to their feedback, to their sidebars with students--these highly effective teachers were able to support their students as they pushed them to exceed course (and often their own) expectations.

Authors

• Rebecca Hatkoff, Claremont Graduate University

• Claudia Marie Bermudez, Claremont Graduate University