Remediation programs in college, who need it? Does it help?
Every year thousands of learners graduate from high school underprepared for post-secondary studies: most students lack the primary skills required for them to be successful in their course work. The college administrations, therefore, have put in place various remediation programs to help the student succeed in their academics. Remediation programs are designed to breach the gap between what the learner already knows and what they are expected to know. Remediation programs are often offered away from a classroom setting and target reading, writing, and math skills.
Elements of an effective remedial program
- Should be based on research and use proven teaching techniques.
- Should teach in phases without skipping any content.
- Should be conducted at the pace of the learner
- Should be guided by a competent teacher with specialized training
- Should include ways to assess the student’s progress.
- Should purpose to use different teaching methods from those used the first round.
- Should involve small groups of learners; thus, the tutor can offer individual attention to each student.
Who needs remediation programs?
Nontraditional students
Students who do not follow the old model of higher education, might be faced with various difficulties when it comes to keeping at per with the syllabus. Most of these students come from diverse background and have varying levels of education. Others may not afford four years to complete a degree: they juggle around family, work, and other obligations as they study.
some students from foreign countries
Some learners prefer to take higher learning programs abroad in countries such as America, UK, and Germany, and so on. A remedial program would suit them especially if they have trouble in using the foreign language effectively
Financially challenged students
Finances can sometimes be a hindrance for a learner to be in school consistently. Due to financial difficulties, most students find themselves in and out of school, which might make them lag behind the syllabus. Such a student remedial studies might help.
Does the remediation program help?
Whether remediation programs in college is essential to learners or not has been a topic of discussion in the recent past. Critics claim it is a waste of cash, energy, and time. Those who propose it, argues that it is a significant approach that has helped students remarkably to meet their academic aspirations. I will let that debate dart in your mind. Here is my personal experience of how the remediation program in reading and writing helped me succeed in my academics. I took my master’s degree in Germany; however, Germany is not my home country. I knew how to communicate in German-not proficiently though, but the writing was a problem. I desperately needed assistance. I enrolled in a remedial class on reading and writing, and I can confess it helped me a great deal.
The instructors in remedial programs are professional tutors with specialized training. Therefore they can utilize the best technique possible to enable the learner to comprehend the content with ease.
The learning setting is different from that of a classroom providing the learner with a diverse learning experience. The tutor’s deals with small groups of the student; thus, they can give individualized attention to every student.
It helped me in grasping the content with ease; it not only enabled me to be at per with my fellow college mates but also had a significant impact on my general academic performance. I strongly recommend remediation programs in colleges and universities.