Basic Skills Education in Community Colleges - Practical

In this review of Basic Skills Education in Community Colleges the reviewer finds a thoughtful, research-based look at developmental education that will appeal to faculty, administrators, and policy-focused readers. Based on a three-year study across more than twenty community colleges, the book's single biggest strength is its balance of critique and constructive examples: it documents why so many students fail to complete remediation while also highlighting innovations that improve transitions to college-level work. This review emphasizes the book's usefulness as a practical reference rather than a methods textbook.

Key Features

• Research base: Draws on a three-year, multi-college study to provide evidence-backed observations useful for informed decision making.
• Classroom observation: Includes direct classroom observations that illustrate typical instructional settings and student interactions.
• Interview perspectives: Presents interviews with administrators, faculty, and students to give a rounded view of developmental education challenges.
• Balanced critique: Offers both analysis of what goes wrong and examples of successful practice so readers can identify realistic improvements.
• Actionable recommendations: Provides a series of recommendations for practice that administrators and program leaders can adapt to local contexts.

Who It's For

Basic Skills Education in Community Colleges is best suited to community college administrators, developmental education faculty, and researchers interested in how institutional practice affects student progression. The book's evidence-driven approach and practitioner-focused recommendations make it valuable for those designing or reforming remediation programs.

Readers seeking a step-by-step teaching manual or a textbook for classroom use may want a more hands-on methods guide; this book works better as a policy and program review with practical suggestions rather than a lesson planning resource.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Well-grounded in a multi-college study, giving the findings real-world credibility.
• Combines classroom observation with interviews to present a nuanced picture of developmental education.
• Includes clear recommendations that administrators and program leaders can adapt.

Cons

• Not a substitute for a hands-on instructor guide, so teachers seeking step-by-step classroom activities may need supplemental materials.

Specifications

Title	Basic Skills Education in Community Colleges
Author / Brand	W. Norton Grubb
Scope	Three-year study across over twenty community colleges
Content focus	Developmental education practices, classroom observation, interviews
Includes	Analysis of failures and examples of innovation with recommendations

Our Verdict

Basic Skills Education in Community Colleges is a valuable, evidence-based resource for administrators and program designers who need a clear assessment of remediation practices and practical recommendations. Its balanced combination of observation, interviews, and actionable guidance makes it good value for those working to improve student transitions to college-level courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book include real classroom observation?
Yes. The study includes classroom observations that illustrate instructional settings and student interactions.

Is this a teacher's lesson manual?
No. It is primarily a program and policy review with recommendations rather than a step-by-step instructor guide.

Who contributed perspectives in the book?
The book includes interviews with administrators, faculty, and students to provide multiple viewpoints.