percent of U.S. Colleges and

Universities offered at least one remedial course in reading, writing, or mathematics for students who had not met the basic entrance requirements (NCES, 2004). • In the Fall Semester of 2000, 28 percent of entering freshmen at U.S. degree granting institutions enrolled in one or more remedial course (NCES, 2003). • South Dakota data for 2003 – 2004 indicate that 36.7 percent of entering freshmen enrolled in one or more remedial course. 2 • The effectiveness of remedial education can be assessed by answering the following questions: 1. How many students complete remedial courses? 2. How well do students who complete remedial courses perform on their first college level course? 3. How well do students who complete remedial courses perform in courses beyond the first year? 4. How many students who take remedial courses earn college degrees? 5. Beyond the initial college degree, what proportion of students who took remedial courses enroll in, and complete graduate and/or professional programs? 6. How do students who took remedial courses perform in terms of jobs obtained; income; etc.? 1. How many students complete remedial courses? • At present there are no national data that address this question. • A study done in Kentucky showed that the pass rate for students enrolled between Fall 1991 and Fall 1996 in remedial MATH courses was consistently higher at universities (around 60%) than at community college