2021 Reports

Developmental Education

Community College Research Center

Most broad-access two-and four-year colleges offer developmental coursework—often referred to as remediation—in math, writing, and reading. While developmental courses do not count toward a college degree, students must pay tuition or apply their financial aid to enroll in them. Traditionally, students are referred to these courses based on scores on standardized placement tests administered by their college, and referred students are required to complete these courses before taking college-level math and English.

States, systems, and institutions are experimenting with ways to better target developmental education, shorten the time students spend in developmental education, and improve curriculum and instruction. Early popular reforms to developmental education, such as learning communities and summer bridge programs, showed short-term improvements but did not result in longer-term effects on student outcomes. Recent rigorous research points to several promising approaches with more sustained effects.