In an effort to improve study habits and increase students' abilities to handle complex college material, community colleges offer remedial courses in math, English, learning skills and study skills. California State University at Fresno, for example, offers classes such as introduction to composition, college writing skills, writing skills for college and intermediate algebra. Results from student placement tests required by some community colleges determine a student's placement in remedial courses, which do not count toward a degree. Depending on the school's policies, some students assigned to remedial classes must pass them before enrolling in regular classes.
Students pay the same amount of tuition for remedial classes as they do when enrolling in for-credit courses that count toward their degrees. Some students may spend up to several thousand dollars on required classes that do not put them any closer to a degree. Also of concern is the expense to the community college, as student tuition covers approximately one-fifth of the cost with government funding making up the rest. The Alliance for Excellent Education reports that reducing the need for remediation by better preparing students in high school and ensuring that remedial students complete their degrees at the same rates as non-remedial students could save the nation a potential $3.7 billion annually.
The Achieving the Dream nonprofit organization reported in 2008 that 25 to 50 percent of students who enrolled in developmental/remedial courses did not finish them. Additionally, they found that students referred for remedial math graduated in lesser percentages that those who did not need developmental classes. The organization's data concluded that students who do not complete remedial coursework make less progress in school that students who finish all developmental courses assigned. Unfortunately, 50 percent of students do not complete even a single developmental course requirement during their first year.
Students planning to attend community college may save money and time by preparing better in high school, reducing or eliminating the need for remedial classes in college. College Board recommends high school students take as many classes in English, math, writing and science as they can, ask for tutoring or help if needed, take AP or honors courses if offered, persist in studies through the end of senior year and cut down on extracurricular activities such as sports and work that may interfere with academic performance.