An English Composition Sequence for a Community College. Final Report

Because of a high failure rate in traditional freshman English composition courses, an experiment was conducted at Macomb County Community College (Michigan) to test the hypothesis that more time and careful structuring of lessons could increase the proportion of success in certain categories of students. During 1965-69, 16 instructors and 723 students participated in the experiment. It offered a successful alternative to traditional and remedial courses, as shown by measures of grades, essay ratings, and national achievement tests. The following recommendations supported the project's objectives: (1) development of a composition course for students who are above the remedial level but not yet ready for the usual freshman English; (2) extension of time and careful structuring of composition courses for some students; (3) use of beginning lessons as a practical orientation to college; (4) consideration of male attitudes toward courses; (5) granting partial credit for slower-paced courses; (6) careful selection and scheduling of instructors; and (7) assurance of stability of testing and placement conditions before a long-range experiment is begun. Complete questionnaires and tables are included. (CA)