Legislative Report on Developmental Education for the High School Class of 2015

Overview & Synopsis

This report was prepared by The Colorado Department of Higher Education (DHE) pursuant to 23-1-113.3 C.R.S. The information in this report is presented to inform the ongoing dialogue regarding preparation for college and the effects of developmental education in Colorado. This report documents data gathered by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (DHE) for academic year 2016 (Summer 2015, Fall 2015, and Spring 2016) as required by statute. The report concerns students taking developmental education courses at Colorado's public higher education institutions. The report is submitted to the Education Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), and each Colorado public school district superintendent. This report summarizes the current developmental education landscape for the Colorado High School Class of 2015, including their enrollment rates and outcomes in developmental education courses and the student and state costs of providing developmental education courses. The report also summarizes reforms to Colorado's traditional developmental education system as well as a number of initiatives across the state targeted at reducing students' need for developmental education courses and decreasing the amount of time they spend taking these classes.