A Call to Research and Research-Based Action in Developmental Education

ABSTRACT

In 2009, President Obama proposed the American Graduation Initiative (AGI), positioning Developmental Education (DE) and initiatives for higher education accessibility and support as valued initiatives on a wider political stage. Unfortunately, not all college-age students enter higher education well prepared for the demands of complex content-area comprehension expectations. The field of DE is criticized for mixed results in effectiveness studies, much of which is unsurprising as we, as a field, lack a unified focus built on research-based practices. Compounding this complexity is the minimal emphasis many DE programs and universities place on creating knowledge about ways to serve well learners who need additional support. In this manuscript, we consider and forward critical questions for unified and intentional inquiry if we, as a field, are to systematically examine our practices, purposes, and the outcomes of those endeavors on the development and support of postsecondary students.