As state officials apply pressure to colleges to increase their graduation rates, colleges are thinking about removing remedial courses. Remedial course provision costs American colleges and universities at least $3.6 billion, according to the Alliance for Excellent Education, national advocacy organization in Washington, D.C. At least 14 states have reduced funding on remedial education, by limiting funding to colleges and universities.
Despite the exorbitant costs, remedial classes are still needed, said Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education and a former governor of West Virginia. Many high school graduates are ill-prepared for college-level mathematics and sciences. Across the board, some 44 percent of students at community colleges and 27 percent at four-year institutions had to take at least one remedial course in 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Yet, college students' frustration with remedial and difficulty in higher education classes contribute to high dropout rates.
Another solution, which Jim Petro, chancellor of the University System of Ohio, wants to solve the problem by focusing on students, while they are in high school. He believes high school preparation for college is key for recruitment. Others suggest that the focus should be on private high schools, whose students usually perform better than public school students.
Despite the exorbitant costs, remedial classes are still needed, said Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education and a former governor of West Virginia. Many high school graduates are ill-prepared for college-level mathematics and sciences. Across the board, some 44 percent of students at community colleges and 27 percent at four-year institutions had to take at least one remedial course in 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Yet, college students' frustration with remedial and difficulty in higher education classes contribute to high dropout rates.
Another solution, which Jim Petro, chancellor of the University System of Ohio, wants to solve the problem by focusing on students, while they are in high school. He believes high school preparation for college is key for recruitment. Others suggest that the focus should be on private high schools, whose students usually perform better than public school students.