Skip to main content
Log in

A study of the performance of Developmental Studies students in the principles of economics

  • Published:
Journal of Economics and Finance Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study assesses the performance of Developmental Studies students in the principles of economics. The null hypothesis is that once demographic and academic variables are taken into account, completion of a developmental studies course(s) contributes nothing to the probability of success in a principles of economics course. The study analyzes a sample of 1,053 principles of economics students during the 1989 academic year. A logit regression model is used to estimate the probability of successfully completing a course in the principles of economics. The study finds that the completion of the Developmental Study Skills course is an important determinant of the probability of success in the principles of economics courses.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abraham, Ansley A. “Remedial Education in College: How Widespread Is It?”Issues in Higher Education 24, Southern Regional Education Board, 1988.

  • Archer, James, Jr., andAlisa Lamnin. “An Investigation of Personal and Academic Stressors on College Campuses.”Journal of College Student Personnel 26 (May 1985): 210–215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beard, Susan S., Richard T. Elmore, andSuzanne Lange. “Assessment of Student Needs: Areas of Stress in the Campus Environment.”Journal of College Student Personnel 23 (July 1982): 348–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boylan, Hunter.Is Developmental Education Working? An Analysis of Research. National Association for Remedial and Developmental Studies in Post Secondary Education, January 1983.

  • —.Student Development Program Evaluation Report. Bowling Green, OH: Bowling Green State University, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bullock, Terry L., Deborah A. Madden, andAnne L. Mallery. “Developmental Education in American Universities: Past, Present, and Future.”Research and Teaching in Development Education 6 (Spring 1990): 5–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chand, Sunsil. “The Impact of Developmental Education at Triton College.”Journal of Developmental Education 9 (1985): 2–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson, George G. “Special Report: An Overview of Research in the Teaching of College Economics.”Journal of Economics Education (Spring 1976): 111–116.

  • Gery, Frank F. “Does Mathematics Matter?”Research Papers In Economic Education, 1972.

  • Green, William H. Econometric Analysis. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heath, Julia A.. “An Econometric Model of the Role of Gender in Economic Education.”American Economic Review 79 (May 1989): 226–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, Deanna, andRobert Blanc. “The Learning Center's Role in Retention: Integrating Student Support Services with Departmental Instruction.”Journal of Developmental and Remedial Education 4 (Spring 1981): 2–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maxwell, Martha J. Improving Student Learning Skills. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishing Company, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mickler, Mary Louise, andAnn C. Chapel. “Basic Skills in College: Academic Dilution or Solution?”Journal of Developmental Education 13 (1989): 2–4, 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, Kang H., andPeter M. Kerr. “Determinants of Academic Performance: A Multinomial Logit Approach.”Journal of Economic Education 21 (Spring 1990): 101–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pindyck, Robert S., andDaniel L. Rubinfield.Econometric Models and Economic Forecasts 2d ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, George H.. “Personal and Academic Stressors Affecting Developmental Education Students.”Research and Teaching in Developmental Education 5 (Spring 1989): 39–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suen, Hoi. “Special Services Education.”Journal of Developmental and Remedial Education 3 (Fall 1979).

  • Sutherland, Betty, andDavid Sutherland. “Read Writers: A Sensible Approach to Instruction.”Journal of Developmental and Remedial Education 6 (Fall 1982): 2–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swindling, James A. “Data-Based Evaluation of a Reading Program.”Journal of Developmental and Remedial Education (Special Issue 1972): 20–22.

  • Tennessee State Board of Regents. Remedial/Developmental Information. Nashville, TN: State Board of Regents, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, Caroline S., Edith Zais, andLen Trotter Gatewood. “The Effects of a Developmental Program on University Grades.”Journal of Reading 17 (April 1974): 531–537.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wambach, Cathrine, andThomas Brothen. “An Alternative to the Prediction-Placement Model.”Journal of Developmental Education 13 (Spring 1990): 14–15, 24–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whimbey, Arthur, Hunter Boylan, and A. Burke. “Cognitive Skill-Oriented Developmental Students.”Journal of Developmental and Remedial Education 1 (Fall 1979): 7–17.

  • Whitman, Neal, David C. Spendlove, andClaire H. Clark.Student Stress: Effects and Solutions. Washington, D.C.: Association for the Study of Higher Education, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fayissa, B., Graddy, D.B. & Smith, K. A study of the performance of Developmental Studies students in the principles of economics. J Econ Finan 17, 149–160 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02920037

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02920037

Keywords

Navigation