Qualitative Analysis on Developmental Education Reform Act (DERA) Implementation at Illinois Community Colleges

• In Event: Conditions for Change: Organizational Accountability, Reform, and Commitment in Higher Ed

Abstract

This exploratory qualitative analysis examines how Illinois community colleges are implementing the Developmental Education Reform Act (DERA) practices, including policy impact, institutional commitment, and ongoing evaluation. Guided by the Diffusion of Innovation Theory, this study investigates how institutional leaders perceive and enact DERA reforms to support students’ success in college-level courses. Data were collected through focus group interviews with institutional leaders across four Illinois community colleges. Findings reveal institutional leaders’ strong confidence in the DERA implementation, institutional commitment to state compliance and student support, and ongoing evaluation of the DERA implementation. The study concludes with implications for practice and future research for the sustainability of DERA in Illinois community colleges.

Authors

• Hanna Kim, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Hannah M. Kuneyl, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Yasamin Khoshpour, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Lorenzo D. Baber, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign