STATEWIDE — The percentage of Colorado high school graduates placed into developmental education when entering college decreased slightly to 35.3 percent in the 2016-2017 academic year compared to  36.1 percent in the previous year, according to a report released on June 20. That means 8,271 students required developmental education, also known as remedial education.

Colorado’s developmental education rates are comparable with the nation and typically hover below 40 percent. Data show that developmental education courses cost the state $12.8 million and students $20.4 million during the 2016-17 academic year. In most cases, students pay for remedial courses before they are able to earn credit towards their credential.

 Developmental education courses are designed for students who require additional instruction in basic academic competencies necessary to succeed in a college-level curriculum. Developmental education includes enrollment in traditional remedial courses and Supplemental Academic Instruction (SAI) where students enroll in college level courses and receive concurrent supplemental support.

 Over the last three years, several campuses have piloted the use of SAI as an alternative to stand-alone remedial classes that do not count as credit toward a credential. Typically, students take traditional English and math classes and meet again for extra tutoring, labs, and one-on-one mentoring.

 Early research shows promising results. At the Community College of Denver, course completion has quadrupled after implementing an SAI component, and more than half of SAI students passed their courses, compared to 34 percent of students taking traditional remedial courses. At Metropolitan State University of Denver, approximately 75 percent of students enrolled in SAI will pass their course with a C or better.

 “Reforming developmental education is not just the right thing to do for students—it’s good for our economy,” said Colorado Department of Higher Education Executive Director Dan Baer.  “By changing the remedial model, we can improve and accelerate academic outcomes, lower costs, and expand opportunity to the Coloradans who need it most. Our state’s success depends on it.”

 Other report highlights:

• The percentage of female college students placed into developmental education in the Colorado High School Class of 2016 was 37.2 percent, a slight decrease from the previous year. The percentage of male college students placed into developmental education was 33.3 percent, a slight decrease from the previous year.

• At two-year institutions, 76.4 percent of African American students were placed into developmental education in 2016-2017, a slight decrease from 2015-2016. At four-year institutions, 51.1 percent of African American students were placed into developmental education, a slight increase from the previous year.

• At two-year institutions, 65.1 percent of Hispanic students were placed into developmental education, a more than 6 percent decrease year over year. At four-year institutions, 39.2 percent of Hispanic students were placed into developmental education, a slight increase from the previous year.

• When examining developmental education by subject, the number of students requiring support in math was almost equal to the number requiring support in English.

• Of all developmental courses taken, including SAI, 62.9 percent were completed successfully.

The data used in this remedial report were gathered by the Colorado Department of Higher Education for academic year 2016-2017 as required by statute.