NABET, NABET 2019 Conference

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Polk and Squires Mathematical Analysis of the Effectiveness of Developmental Education
Scott Bradshaw

Last modified: 2019-10-01

Abstract


Drawing foundational ideas from the dissertation of Dr. Anita Polk-Conley and Dr. John Squires, the following mathematical analysis on the effectiveness of the developmental education program at a Mid Atlantic USA Community College was conducted (Table 15). The analysis measured the effectiveness of the developmental program for two different groups of students in order to detect any possible influence of physical education (KINS) program efficacy.

An identical effectiveness analysis was conducted for two groups of students: those students who enrolled in a physical education course (or Kinesiology course) during their time at the Mid Atlantic USA Community College, and those who did not. These two analyses were then compared in an overarching study. Interestingly, the results of the overall study were consistent and robust, lending credence to the notion that physical education improves effectiveness of education. In this specific case, the results suggested that physical education courses positively influenced the outcomes of the developmental education program at the Mid Atlantic USA Community College. The results from this research study could be used to determine the effectiveness of business classes; specifically introductory or developmental paired classes.