An Updated Look at Racial and Gender Disparities in Developmental Education Enrollment

• In Event: Underrepresented Student Success in Higher Education

Abstract

Developmental education courses provide postsecondary students with requisite skills and strategies to take credit-bearing college coursework. Using the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09), this study investigated disparities in developmental education enrollment among American community college students. Controlling for demographic covariates, results indicated significant gender and racial disparities in developmental education enrollment. Females were significantly more likely than males to take a developmental education course, while Hispanic students were more likely than White students. Given gender and racial bias in developmental education enrollment, multiple measures can be used to place students in developmental education. In particular, combining information from high school such as grades and course information with placement exams is an important consideration in the placement decision process.

Authors

• Kristen P. Kremer, Kansas State University

• Carlton J. Fong, Texas State University

• Agustín J. García, Texas State University