Remedial Coursetaking at U.S. Public 2- and 4-Year Institutions: Scope, Experience, and Outcomes (2016)

This comprehensive analysis by the National Center for Education Statistics presents a detailed examination of the scope, experiences, and outcomes associated with remedial course-taking at U.S. public 2- and 4-year institutions. Utilizing data from the 2004/09 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study and its associated 2009 Postsecondary Education Transcript Study, the report assesses the prevalence and efficacy of remedial education programs which are designed to prepare students lacking the necessary academic skills for college-level coursework.

Main Takeaways:

• High Rates of Remediation: A significant portion of students at public 2-year institutions (68%) and public 4-year institutions (40%) enrolled in at least one remedial course between 2003 and 2009.
• Completion and Impact: About half of the students at public 2-year institutions who took remedial courses completed all that they attempted, with slightly higher completion rates at public 4-year institutions. Successful completion of remedial courses is correlated with better postsecondary outcomes compared to non-completers.
• Demographic Disparities: Remediation rates were higher among students with weaker academic preparation, and disproportionately high among minority and low-income students.
• Limited Long-Term Benefits: The study indicates that while remedial courses can help in the short term by increasing the likelihood of passing college-level courses, their long-term impact on degree completion and transfer rates is less clear, particularly for students with moderate to strong academic preparation.