The Effectiveness of Remedial Courses

Abstract

In this study, we created a methodology for assessing Bergen Community College’s (BCC) courses. We will determine whether remedial courses improve the success rate of students who took an introductory statistics course. BCC recently updated its mission, vision, and values, along with six institutional goals. Our study aligns with two of these goals. Goal one focuses on serving a diverse population by creating a welcoming environment where all members are valued. To meet this goal, we  elected an introductory statistics course for assessment. To determine the student success rates, we will compare those who did and did not take remedial math and analyze the historical data for failure rates. Goal three focuses on providing evidence of effective educational experiences. We will create a weekly log documenting the assessment steps, translating it into a baseline template for similar courses. We will assess to conclude remedial courses alone may not be sufficient to improve success rates. Potential solutions include introducing corequisite courses where students enroll in college-level and developmental courses simultaneously and developing a logistic regression model to identify students needing extra support. The findings will inform and enhance future educational strategies and support services at BCC, contributing to higher student achievement and satisfaction.

Team Members