Precollege Milestones
Completion of Developmental Math: California
What Is Measured?
Completion of first developmental math course
Who Is Counted?
First-time students initially enrolled in fall 2002 excluding dual-enrolled high school students who enrolled in a developmental math course within seven years
What It Tells Us
Overall, about one-half of students who enrolled in a developmental math course completed their first course (50 percent to 54 percent). About one-quarter (25 percent to 28 percent) failed their course, while about one-fifth to one-quarter (20 percent to 24 percent) withdrew from the course.
Why It's Important
Most beginning community college students must complete at least one developmental education course in mathematics or English (reading, writing, or both). For students who start in developmental courses two or more levels below the college level in a particular subject, this milestone is the first step toward completing their developmental education requirements and continuing on to college-level coursework. For students who start at one level below the college level in a particular subject, this milestone also represents the final step in completing that developmental education sequence.