Remedial Education

In the past, students who struggled in high school often didn't even bother with the idea of higher education. After all, if secondary school was difficult, then college would be nearly impossible, right?

However, a push for higher college graduation rates by President Obama, as well as truths discovered about many so-called remedial students, has led educators in community colleges across the country to redefine remedial education. As times are changing, more students are turning to special community college programs that are helping them see success in their education and lives after college.

In this video, two students discuss how they ended up taking a remedial math class.

What is Remedial Education?

According to WiseGeek.com, remedial education is "education designed to bring students who are lagging behind up to the next level of achievement realized by their peers." Students who found themselves in remedial education often felt they didn't have much chance at academic success beyond high school. Those who did qualify for college entrance often dropped out within their first year because they simply didn't have the background knowledge or study skills to succeed in a college setting.

The good news is that these students now have hope for making it through college and earning a degree, thanks to programs that help students develop the skills they need to succeed in higher education.

The Need for College Success

In the last decade, community colleges have certainly overcome its wrongful stereotype as “13^th grade,” providing invaluable education and training to millions of successful graduates. However, with 20% to 60% of today’s community college students needing remedial coursework, could the stereotype be reinforced once again?

The Problem

Shocking numbers of community college students need remedial coursework

According to Michigan’s Detroit Free Press, experts estimate that about 20% of students at four-year colleges and universities across the nation need remedial coursework of some kind. But at community colleges, “it has been estimated that 60% of first-time students need at least one remedial course.”

This video reports on Black and LatinX students being placed in remedial courses that waste their time/

Remedial coursework is costly for states and for students

The education research and advocacy group Alliance for Education estimated in 2006 that remedial education at community colleges and four-year universities costs taxpayers and students $1.4 billion per year.

Detroit Free Press reports that in the state of Michigan alone, more than $28 million is spent each year on remediation courses at just the community college level.

Students who require remedial coursework more likely to drop out

The Alliance for Education also estimated that the United States economy loses more than $2.3 billion every year due to the higher college dropout rate of students who require remedial reading

Increasing numbers of students are enrolling in two-year community college programs, yet only one-third will graduate with their degrees. Naturally, there are multifaceted reasons for the high dropout rate, but some reports cite the students’ struggle with math courses as playing a major role, as outlined by WNYC.

Most community colleges require that students take three placement tests before registering for classes. The placement tests include a basic math section, a reading comprehension section, and a writing composition section.

Approximately half of prospective community college students struggle with the math placement test and, thus, require at least one remedial math class. Even at community colleges, most degrees require successfully completing several college-level math classes, and many students struggle to make the grade. Lowering the community college dropout rate partly hinges on preparing students for math success.

This video offers a look at Portland Community College's math literacy program.

Math Placement Tests: How to Improve Your Score

Scoring well on the math placement test can save time, effort, and money in the long term. In most cases, remedial math classes don’t count towards degree requirements; thus, making the score on placement tests can save you tuition fees. The best way to prepare for the math placement test is to get the gray matter working again – especially if a lot of time has elapsed since

For many Americans, withdrawing from high school before graduation leads to several closed doors. Without a high school degree, most Americans have traditionally been unable to pursue higher forms of education and obtain certain jobs. The bottom line is, to make a decent living, a high school diploma or equivalency and some college coursework are necessary.

Fortunately, community colleges across the country are striving to provide more programs to cater to the needs of non-high school graduates. Upon earning one’s GED, students can enroll in community college to pursue a variety of career and college degree opportunities. In some cases, both a GED and a college degree can be sought simultaneously.

The Short Path Without College

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, individuals who have not earned their high school degree stand to earn far less than individuals who have earned their high school diploma, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or other advanced degrees or training. In fact, statistics show that high school graduates make, on average, over $7,000 more per year than workers who did not complete high school. Additionally, workers with an associate’s degree make about $7,000 more annually than those with a high school diploma. With reduced wages, pay, and benefits, individuals who do not graduate from high school are at a considerable economic and social disadvantage.

This video offers tips on preparing for the GED.