Journal Article

Title: Developmental Education: An Investment We Cannot Afford NOT To Make
Authors: John E. Roueche and Wvelyn N. Waiwaiole
Diverse: Issues in Higher Education; 9/17/2009, Vol. 26 Issue 16, p16-16, 3/4p

In reading Developmental Education: An Investment We Cannot Afford NOT To Make, it was brought to my attention that not all high school graduates are ready to study on a college level. Books written by Cliff Adelman, Bob McCabe and others give us a sense of the commitment and controversy of developmental education, especially on the college level. The journal article is stating that money needs to be spent in order to provide remedial help for a growing number of students. Because more students are going to college, both junior college and four-year colleges and universities, more students will be requiring remedial help. The critics of developmental education are blaming the elementary, middle schools, and high schools for the lack of college preparation and they do not think it should be up to the college to fill that gap. As far as I’m concerned, if the students are in college, they need to be educated. If the student needs help, he or she should be given help. Yes, these programs cost billions of dollars according to the article, but the fact is college students need to learn. Frankly, if the high school did not prepare the student well, it is by no fault of the student. Someone needs to provide the help, and if the student is in college, it should be the college. El Paso Community College is working with the local high schools to provide help in bridging the academic gap, this to me, is a good way to start. If the colleges and high schools worked together, they would know what is expected, and the high school could help out in the preparation of the students. Before reading this article, I was not aware of the controversy surrounding developmental education in higher education, but it only makes sense to me that the schools should work together, if possible, to benefit their students.