The purpose of the conducted pilot project was to explore the role of the counselor in assisting impoverished students enrolled in an academic preparatory program (remedial/developmental program) at a university to maximally attain program goals as they relate to both academic and career success. To provide context to this project, this chapter of the study provides a review of the literature.
Regarding this review, the historical influences surrounding the development of remedial higher education for under-prepared (poor, disadvantaged, discriminated) groups are delineated and discussed. Specifically, this section of the review covers the topics of: (1) the Social History of American Education; (2) the Role of Education as an Institution; and (3) the Relation of Education to the American System of Government.
Following the historical section of the review, the literature directly related to remedial/developmental studies program is examined. This examination includes review of research and theory on both the professional socialization of women, minority and disadvantaged groups, and the general importance of the counselor to remedial/developmental studies programs. The review ends with a summary and the formulation of conclusions.
Social History of American Education
According to Church and Sedlak (1976), the social history of American education can be viewed in terms of two basic themes: (1) a shift away from sectarian control of education to secular control; and (2) an expansion of the student base from serving only the children of wealthy land owners (most of whom were white) toward education of the masses.
This section of the review explores these two themes through examination of the literature on the history of: the common school movement, the education of women and minorities; the college movement; the kindergarten movement; mass high school education of the Progressive era); the development of junior...