Depending on their performance on the test,  students who are not considered college-ready in these subject areas are  placed into developmental education courses. While developmental education is a category of coursework and not a  specific federal program, community colleges use a variety of federal  funding sources, such as federal grants, to help fund their programs. Community Colleges and States Are Using Several Strategies to Improve Developmental Education

All of the community college and state education officials we interviewed  described strategies that they have used related to curriculum,  placement, and working with high schools to help improve developmental  education outcomes for students. Lastly, most of the community college  The following provides examples of strategies that are being implemented  by some states and community colleges we visited:
Shortening the time in developmental education: All of the states and  community colleges we visited implemented a number of initiatives to  shorten the amount of time students spent in developmental  education. For example, two community colleges we visited offered  fast track math classes that allowed students to complete two classes  in one semester. Washington’s Integrated Basic Education  and Skills Training (I-BEST) program places students directly into  career and technical or college-level academic classes with two  instructors: one to teach the subject matter and the other to teach  developmental education in the context of the class. With the  refresher course, students could place into a higher-level  developmental education class or be placed directly into college-level  courses. In another  example, Washington state officials told us that, starting in 2015, the  state plans to offer a college assessment test in the 11th grade to  identify and provide additional instruction to students who may have  remediation needs so that when these students graduate, they will be  ready for college. Researchers are reviewing some of the initiatives that community  colleges are instituting to improve outcomes for developmental education  students, but the evidence base is limited. Education’s Planned Research Center Could Help Community Colleges Overcome Challenges

		Community College Challenges

Most of the community colleges and other stakeholders with whom we  spoke stated that more research is needed to determine if developmental  education initiatives work. Obtaining faculty support for unproven reforms was also cited by several  community college and state officials as a challenge. Education officials confirmed that not enough information was available  about successful developmental education strategies. In light of this goal  and to help further community colleges’ understanding of what works in  developmental education, in May 2013, Education requested proposals  for a National Research Center on Developmental Education Assessment  and Instruction. Education plans for this research center to focus  exclusively on developmental education assessment and instruction in  order to help policy makers and practitioners improve student outcomes. The research center is  expected to launch in 2014. In  addition, this report will be available at no charge on GAO’s website at  http://www.gao.gov. Appendix I: Objectives, Scope, and Methodology

The objectives of this report were to determine (1) what strategies select  states and community colleges are using to improve developmental  education for community college students and (2) what challenges, if any,  community colleges have identified while implementing these  developmental education strategies. We conducted site visits to  Texas, Virginia, and Washington, which had been identified by experts as  doing innovative work in improving developmental education. Additionally, we reviewed pertinent  agency documents, including budget proposals, Requests for Application,  and a list of Education’s current initiatives for community colleges, as well  as relevant laws, regulations, and guidance.
Why GAO Did This Study

Education reported that approximately 42 percent of entering community college students were not sufficiently prepared for college-level courses and enrolled in at least one developmental education course. Researchers also estimate that fewer than 25 percent of developmental education students will complete a degree or certificate. Improving developmental education is key to increasing degree and certificate completion. Some community colleges and states are instituting various initiatives to improve the outcomes of students placed into developmental education.
GAO was asked to examine current developmental education efforts. This report addresses the following questions: (1) What strategies are selected states and community colleges using to improve developmental education for community college students; and (2) what challenges, if any, have community colleges identified while implementing these developmental education strategies? GAO conducted site visits to community colleges and state education offices in Texas, Virginia, and Washington, which were identified by experts and the literature as states initiating innovative changes in developmental education coursework. GAO interviewed Education officials, as well as stakeholders from non-profit and research organizations focused on community college issues. In addition, GAO reviewed relevant laws, regulations, and guidance.

What GAO Found

States and community colleges GAO visited have implemented several strategies to improve developmental education--which is remedial coursework in math, reading, or writing for students who are assessed not to be ready for college-level classes. Many initiatives involved shortening the amount of time for developmental education and better targeting material to an individual student's needs. For example, two community colleges have implemented fast track classes that enable students to take two classes in one semester instead of in two semesters. One developmental education program in Washington places students directly into college level classes that also teach developmental education as part of the class. Community colleges are also using tools such as test preparatory classes to help students prepare for placement tests that determine if they will need to take developmental education courses. According to community college officials GAO spoke with, these classes help familiarize students with prior coursework and, in some cases, help them place directly into college level courses. Additionally, most community colleges GAO visited have worked to align their curriculum with local high schools so that graduating seniors are ready for college. Little research has been published on these developmental education initiatives and whether they are leading to successful outcomes.
Most community college officials with whom GAO spoke noted that the limited availability of research in this area is a challenge to implementing strategies to improve developmental education programs. Specifically, they noted that it is difficult to determine whether new programs are working, and to gain faculty support for unproven models of teaching. Department of Education (Education) officials confirmed that research regarding successful developmental education strategies is insufficient. In response, Education has announced the availability of grant funds for a National Research Center on Developmental Education Assessment and Instruction. The Center will focus exclusively on developmental education assessment and instruction to inform policymakers and instructors on improving student outcomes. The Center is expected to launch in 2014.

What GAO Recommends

GAO is making no recommendations in this report.