In two-year and four-year colleges, remedial education generally refers to courses that are below the college level. Harvard University was the first institution of higher education to offer remedial courses.
Developmental education is a comprehensive approach to remediation. These programs go beyond remedial coursework; they also provide extensive assessment of student skills for appropriate placement and offer tutoring and other support services.
Developmental education focuses on the "whole student" - preparing students not just for success in one cousre, but also for success across the curriculum.
Some community colleges have extensive "learning centers" which offer tutoring, testing, and advising to all students. These centers have been shown to be particularly effective for students enrolled in developmental courses.
Students who take developmental courses are more likely to persist in college if they progress to college-level courses in a reasonable length of time.
Students who are well-prepared for college-level courses are more likely to succeed in their associate's degree program.
SOURCES:
Perin, D. (2004). Remediation beyond developmental education: the use of learning assistance centers to increase academic preparedness in community college. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 28, 559-582.
Shulz, C. (2000). Remedial education: practices and policies in community colleges. Washington, D.C.: American Association of Community Colleges.
