High remediation rates cast doubt on reforms

The Answer Sheet

by Valerie Strauss

...The bubble burst in New York City this year when it was discovered that the tests used to measure student progress had gotten increasingly easy to pass.

But now there’s another factor that raises questions about just what is going on New York City’s schools: the remediation rate in city community colleges.

Newly released figures show that nearly 75 percent of city high students entering City University community colleges could not pass placement exams in reading, math and writing this year, requiring remediation.

That’s up from 71 percent in 2009 but down from 2002, when 82 percent needed remediation, according to the New York Daily News.

So after eight years of Klein reforms, the remediation rate has gone from 82 percent to nearly 75 percent.

Not exactly a record to be proud of...