MPR News indicates that math is the course area that typically requires the most student remediation (see Reference 3). However, classes in English, writing and some of the sciences are often needed also. While those studies indicate that more remedial classes are typically needed at the community college and two-year college level, a USA Today article (see Reference 2) raises concerns regarding the lack of placement test requirements for four-year colleges and universities. In addition, the article notes some institutions require remedial classes only if students fail placement tests but not for low scores on a placement test.
Community colleges and two-year programs are often structured to prepare students for a four-year school or for a vocational training program, so frequently there are more remedial courses available at community colleges. In addition, there are often more opportunities for help with those courses. Students requiring remediation should immediately make contact with their professors and stay in contact throughout the course instead of waiting until they have difficulty. They should utilize campus tutoring opportunities, learning centers, supplemental instruction and their on-campus advisors.
Remedial classes are time-consuming and costly. Although remedial classes often are non-credit courses, students must pass as many as required, as many times as necessary, before moving on to full-credit courses in their degree programs. Experts encourage students to avoid remediation by not relaxing their academics during the senior year of high school, restricting extracurricular activities that reduce study time, and taking advanced placement courses to prepare for placement testing.
While taking remedial courses is essentially covering high school-level academic material, many students can find remedial courses challenging. Some schools like Northern Virginia Community College (see Reference 2) offer support groups and courses like "College Success Skills" to help struggling students. The support groups consist of students from the same remedial classes who can work together to master the course material. The classes give students skills like note-taking and time management that can help them successfully complete remedial classes.