Core Principles for Transforming Remediation within a Comprehensive Student Success Strategy: A Joint Statement

Colleges and postsecondary systems across the nation have demonstrated remarkable progress since "Core Principles for Transforming Remediation" was published in 2012. States and institutions are phasing out stand alone or multi-course remediation sequences, resulting in tens of thousands of students more quickly enrolling in and completing college level courses. Building on this progress, the principles have been updated to focus even greater attention on scaling practices that can provide all students--especially those who are low income or from historically underserved communities--with the guidance, support and skills they need to enter a coherent program of study and move toward their academic goals. These revised principles for transforming remediation are presented in the context of a broader set of student success strategies that growing evidence suggests will enable institutions to significantly increase their students' timely completion of certificates, licenses and degrees with labor market value. The principles set forth in this joint statement represent best judgment, grounded in evidence, about how to redesign developmental education to be more effective. As promising practices evolve on the ground and additional research on such practices is conducted and released, the principles will almost certainly require further revision. A glossary of terms is provided.