Cal State will drop remedial courses and placement tests by fall 2018

FULLERTON, CA - APRIL 17: Students walk between classes near the site where the seven people were killed by a gunman on July 12, 1976 inside the California State University, Fullerton library April 17, 2007 in Fullerton, California. Janitor Edward Allaway said later that he went on his killing spree after being taunted by co-workers that gay men were plotting to kill him. Allaway was found innocent by reason of insanity by a judge after the jury was unable to reach a verdict. He remains confined at Patton State Hospital. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

America’s largest public university system will overhaul its remedial education system under an executive order signed Wednesday.

California State University Chancellor Timothy P. White’s order mandates that Cal State schools discontinue math and English placement exams and the noncredit remedial courses that more than 25,000 freshmen have been required to take until now. The change will go into effect in fall 2018.

Cal State reasons that the system can more accurately assess placement based on application components, including high school grades and standardized test scores. Meanwhile, the lack of remedial courses could help students graduate faster, thereby increasing the system’s four-year graduation rate, a number Cal State hopes to double to 40% by 2025.

Can remedial education help students succeed or is it more likely to hold them back? Should placement tests be based on performance in high school or in college?

Guest:

James Minor, senior strategist for Academic Success and Inclusive Excellence for The California State University