Validating Classrooms: Teaching Strategies to Advance Equity in Developmental Education

Susana H. Hernández, Lyle McKinney, Andrea Burridge, Catherine O’Brien

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Research on developmental education reform has given surprisingly limited attention to what happens inside the classroom between faculty and students. Our qualitative study used interview data from 20 faculty and 20 students in corequisite math and English courses at one of the nation’s largest and most racially diverse community college systems. Specifically, we used validation theory to examine faculty teaching strategies and support structures that may increase academic success among corequisite students. Our findings demonstrate that the most effective faculty, who often had course pass rates 20% above the institutional average, created validating learning environments that addressed students’ academic and interpersonal needs. We provide recommendations for expanding the use of validating teaching and learning practices in corequisite-developmental education courses to ensure more equitable student outcomes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalAERA Open
Volume10
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2024

Keywords

  • Classroom research
  • community colleges
  • developmental education
  • faculty development
  • instructional practices
  • qualitative research

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)

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