1/4 of Georgia college students need remedial work

By Laura Diamond

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

About one in four freshmen who attended a Georgia college last year took remedial classes, according to data released Tuesday by the University System of Georgia.

The system's 35 colleges spend about $22.3 million annually on these learning support classes in reading, English and math, said Virginia Michelich, vice chancellor for student achievement. More than 14,000 freshmen took these classes last year.

Too many students enter college unprepared and need to take these classes before they can enroll in college-level courses.

Many of these students never graduate, Michelich told the State Board of Regents. About one in four Georgia students who take remedial classes earn an associate’s degree in three years or a bachelor’s degree within six years, according to state data.