There are more students entering community colleges unprepared and under-prepared for college-level work than ever before. Research performed in California illustrates that 70-85% of students entering community colleges enroll into basic skills courses in one or more area, Fulks, J., & Alancraig, M (2008). “The United States Department of Education has defined remedial education (basic skills) courses as reading, writing and mathematics courses for college students lacking those skills necessary to perform college-level work at the level required by the institution. ” Snowhite, (2000). These primary basic skills courses include but are not limited to: Math, English, Reading and ESL which are required coursework to receive an Associate Degree, transfer to a 4-year university or qualify to enter into other college level courses.
Helping students succeed through these courses and gain the proper skills to elevate their learning process is a difficult task, yet it’s essential in order for them to compete at a collegiate level. The students that cannot compete at a collegiate level are set on several stages and levels of probation at the college they attend. There are combinations of 3 stages of probation that apply to either or both academic and progress standings for students at Pasadena City College. he counseling department at Pasadena College is generally the area that addresses the needs of the probationary students. Since there are budgetary and time restrictions, this department cannot give the one-on-one attention that is required for these students to succeed in their college coursework. Due to the role the Learning Assistance Center (LAC) serves at the college, the dean of counseling approached the director to help create and develop an intervention program for the section of the student population that currently have probationary status. From this proposal, John Wood, the director of the Learning Assistance Center approached me with the idea and challenge of assisting him with this project which then led to the development of the CRSP intervention for dismissed probationary students.
