Report on remedial education by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education

December, 2005 

      According to ACT research, only 24 percent of Colorado seniors are prepared for college level biology, 36 percent for college Algebra, and 62 percent for college English. In each of these categories, Colorado ranks below the national average for preparation.

      The situation is compounded by the fact that students needing remediation enjoy lower graduation rates compared to students requiring none. That is, longitudinal evidence reported by the National Center for Education Statistics shows that students placed in remedial courses are less likely to earn a degree or certificate in college (30-57% of the cohort) compared to students needing no remediation (69%).

      Total General Fund support for remedial instruction in 2003-04 was roughly $10.5 million.

Read the full report here.