Why do Illinois students remediation rates need to be understood?
Remedial education refers to below college-level classes taken on a college campus. Students pay tuition and use financial aid for remedial classes but do not receive college credit. Often, students enter higher education unprepared for the rigor of college-level courses, particularly in reading, writing, and math.
Taking remedial courses in college is costly, often extending the amount of time a student spends in school. It mostly affects students who can afford it the least; non-traditional adult learners, low-income, Hispanic, and African American students comprise the largest percentage of students who require remediation at the postsecondary level.
Understanding the remediation rates of students graduating from Illinois high schools allows school districts and higher education officials to make better decisions about the methods to ensure more students are ready for college-level courses.
