Students in remedial classes are often there because they didn't pick up basic skills in their regular classes. Foundational skills like reading, writing and arithmetic are often taught in remedial class for this reason. Several theories have been developed to explain why students fall behind in basic skills. According to a report from Inside Higher Ed, students often fall behind in basic skills because the skill sets are defined too narrowly. This theory says that educators should teach basic skills in context -- having students learn grammar by writing pieces and correcting themselves along the way.
In remedial education, there is often a gap between a student's top performance and the performance they actually execute. According to education expert Katie Hern, the difference between actual and potential performance is called the "sustainability gap." Because it is very common for students with above-average aptitudes to fail academically, there has been considerable research done on the topic of sustainability gaps. According to an Inside Higher Ed report, the dominant theory on the sustainability gap is that it results from curriculum that does not sustain the students' interest.
In remedial education, as in regular education, instruction is crucial. However, it is generally recognized that conventional "one teacher" teaching models are not effective. An ever-growing body of theory and literature is beginning to suggest that instruction coupled with a wide range of support and multimedia resources is the best way to prevent and address remediation. According to these new theories, students should be given access to one-on-one instruction time in addition to classroom instruction and should be given access to computers and other media tools.
Motivation is a key factor in whether a student needs remediation. According to a study by psychologists Edward Kubany and Barbara Sloggett, motivation is key to educating students in remedial education programs. This theory says that because students in remedial programs often have learning disabilities, teachers need to put time and effort into motivating their students to overcome the difficulties they face. Motivation tactics include offering treats or prizes for good test results and explaining concepts through metaphors related to popular culture.