Dive Brief:
- Pikes Peak Community College, near Colorado Springs, is one of the many schools to scale corequisite remediation programs, seeing immediate and striking results in the portion of students going on to enroll in college-level courses.
- Ed Central reports all students who take remedial courses enroll in the related college-level course within three terms at Pikes Peak, and statewide, while only 31% of students who enrolled in remediation used to finish the gateway course within two years, more than double that finish in half the time since the reforms have been implemented.
- The five states that have scaled corequisite remediation have needed data analysis, coordinated development systemwide, separation of expectations for math and English remediation, and buy-in at the state level to make their programs a success.
Dive Insight:
Corequisite remediation is one of several strategies colleges are using to increase the outcomes of students who test into developmental education. Other initiatives have also contributed to higher retention rates and pass rates of college-level courses. For some students, summer bridge programs can provide the intensive preparation necessary to let them start college in credit-bearing courses. Others simply need a mandatory review before taking the placement tests. Key to helping each student be successful is an assessment of their needs.
In Colorado, Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia, and Indiana, corequisite remediation has become the chosen path. Sarah Tucker, system chancellor of the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education, said the significant, rapid results of the strategy are unique.