by Earlesha Butler
Ph.D student, University of Florida

Earlesha Butler

Offering remediation, or academic assistance, to students is nothing new for state and private universities. Because some states have cut or reduced funding for student remediation, students who’d typically enroll in fundamental classes to enhance their academic skills are now in courses with peers who may be advanced.

Federal statistics show that 19 to 26 percent of all college freshmen require help to overcome remedial needs, according to the Education Commission of the States – an organization that follows policy updates.

The reasons students may require more academic help vary. For example, students may have scored below average on national exams like the ACT or SAT. Or, students may need additional academic assistance because they’re first-generation college students, which mean no one in their immediate family is a college graduate. These students tend to have no one in their families to rely on for help and they may loose motivation or quit school altogether, due to lack of support. Lastly, life disruptions happen and college students fall behind in their schoolwork. So college professors have to be ready to provide help as needed.

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