Optional Developmental Education and Its Impact on Passing Subsequent Gateway Courses

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: An Exploration of Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Existing research indicates mixed findings on the effect of developmental education (DE) courses on student success, which has prompted various statewide reforms to DE. Unlike any other state, Florida’s new legislation allows large groups of students to bypass DE regardless of their academic preparation or placement test scores. We examined the effect of taking DE on students’ odds of passing gateway math and English courses (entry-level, college-credit bearing courses) for students who enrolled in developmental math or reading/writing when it is optional. Our results indicated null effects of taking remediation, such that there does not appear to be an association between taking optional DE and passing gateway courses.

Authors

• Keith Richard, Florida State University

• Toby Park, Florida State University

• Chenoa S. Woods, Florida State University

• Shouping Hu, Florida State University

• Tamara Bertrand Jones, Florida State University