Developmental Education in Arkansas: Practices, Costs, and a Model Approach

• Published in: Community college journal of research and practice 2012-10, Vol.36 (10), p.743-751
• Main Authors: Carroll, Rhonda, Kersh, Lily, Sullivan, Ellen, Fincher, Mark
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arkansas; Business; Career advancement; Career Pathways; Community college education; Community Colleges; Economic Development; Educational Change; Employment; Industry; Labor Force; Labor Force Development; Low Income; One Parent Family; Partnerships in Education; Program Descriptions; Technology Education; Unemployment; Unskilled Workers; Workforce
• ISSN: 1066-8926; 1521-0413
• DOI: 10.1080/10668920903178961

This paper examines the origins of developmental education and explores the way developmental education is administered at selected colleges in Arkansas. Finally, the paper focuses on a model Career Pathways Initiative program at University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton. Career Pathways invigorates partnerships between colleges and workforce and economic development to meet the needs of employers as more and more industries struggle to find qualified workers. A large number of the community college's targeted population have the ability but lack the skills to meet employers' needs for the 21st century. Career Pathways programs pull together the resources needed to serve individuals, business, and industry. Career Pathways is a means of delivering extensive developmental programming in an efficient manner. Career Pathways promotes the development of an enhanced workforce by tapping into a population that has previously been overlooked: low income, low skilled, unemployed, underemployed, single parent, or incumbent workers needing to hone skills to keep up with the technological and educational changes in the workplace.