Some students elect to take developmental classes when they know they are unprepared for college. More frequently, however, they're required to take these classes based on test scores. Some colleges base developmental placement decisions on scores on the SAT or ACT. Others administer standardized placement tests for all incoming students, and students who score poorly on these tests might have to take developmental classes.
Developmental reading and writing classes focus on improving reading and writing skills. Students may do exercises in reading comprehension, improving reading speed and developing critical thinking skills. They might have daily or weekly writing assignments, learn about the basics of sentence structure and practice writing a thesis and developing strong arguments. In some classes, students may get a primer on basic grammar skills and review vocabulary. At some schools, students take a standardized test at the beginning and end of the course to document their progress.
Remedial classes can serve as an equalizing force in education, ensuring that all students have basic reading and writing skills before they enter core and major classes. College work is typically writing-intensive, and students might have to read hundreds of pages each week. By giving students a refresher course in basic skills, colleges ensure that students have the skills they need to study for tests and to clearly articulate their ideas.
Students might not receive college credit for remedial classes, which means they can quickly fall behind, particularly if they take several developmental classes. Some students may be frustrated by their placement in remedial classes and feel labeled or tracked. Two 2012 studies by the Community College Research Center found that not all students placed in developmental classes needed these classes, which means these students may be delayed for no reason.