THEVIsTA.
University of Central Oklahoma
The Student Voice Since 1903
THURSDAY February 6, 1997
Enrollment rates decline in state remedial courses By Patrice Patterson Staff Writer
F
ewer Oklahoma freshman college students need to take remedial courses, according to a study by Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, (OSRHE). The Annual Student Assessment Report showed a decline in remediation among freshman from 42 percent in Fall 1994 to 38 percent in Fall 1995. "UCO's declining trend among freshman remedial need is very similar to that found by the regents," said Evelyn Wilson, dean of enrollment and admission services. Statewide, transfer students needing remediation dropped from 21 percent to 9 percent. The rate is up slightly for adult students, however, from 50 percent to 52 percent, said Jeanie Edney, director of communications of OSRBE. "Remedial courses are designed to bring a student's skill level up to a college freshman level," said Wilson. The remedial subject is typically taken on a high-school level, she said Percentages for Oklahoma show students needed remedial math courses more than any other subject.
Math accounted for 54 percent of remedial enrollment, English for 25 percent, reading for 15 percent, and science for 6 percent. Remediation levels are highest at two-year colleges. One of their main functions is working with students to strengthen academic skills, said regents' Chairman Anne H. Morgan. The regents are helping highschool students prepare for college by: • strengthening college and university admission standards • increasing the number of high school courses required for college entry from 11 to 15, effective Fall 1997 • providing students and parents with a listing of knowledge students should gain by taking the 15 courses • implementing the Educational Planning and Assessment System, a feedback system to inform principals, teachers, and parents about students' skills in college • producing brochures on course requirements, placement policies, and admission standards for every Oklahoma student in grades eight through 12. This drop is an optimistic hope, said Morgan. By better preparing students for college, remediation will continue to decline in the future.
Staying in-line... UCO student Bill Brittain jumps over Nate Martin during Hana Hofmann's in-line skating class. The class is offered as part of UCO curriculum in Wantland Hall. (Staff photo by John Clanton)
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