Dive Brief:
- The Illinois Community College Board is using a blended approach of co-requisite instruction, high school articulation agreements and summer bridge programs to replace remedial courses, which price out many low-income students and stunt degree completion.
- Bootcamps and summer access in English and math have increased student success on exit exams by 27%.
- Since the initiative's launch, student enrollment in developmental courses have decreased by more than 24%.
Dive Insight:
Many institutions are experimenting with ways to supplement or replace remedial coursework with alternative academic options, such as credentialing programs or competency-based curriculum. These alternatives provide debt relief for students who need it most, and offer stronger pathways to degree completion and employability.
For community colleges, the job training opportunities blend perfectly with the goal of reaching students earlier in their academic careers with more intensive instruction and monitoring in learning progress.