Evaluating the Impact of Remediation Program

• In Event: 25.041 - Strengthening Placement, Developmental Education, and Learning for College Success

Abstract

The summer remediation program in one large public 4-year university system requires incoming first-time freshmen who do not demonstrate readiness for college-level math or English to begin remediation during the summer before coming to the college. The purpose of this study is to find out the causal impact of attending the remediation program on first-time freshmen’s academic achievement in their first year. To address this question, we employ a regression discontinuity design with math test cut-off scores for entry into the remediation program as the source of exogeneity. Initial evidence suggests that the summer remediation program has a positive impact on students’ short term success outcome.

Authors

• Hui-Jeong Woo, California State University

• Matthew Case, California State University - Office of the Chancellor