ONE-THIRD WV COLLEGE FRESHMEN NEED REMEDIAL HELP

(05/26/2009)
About one-third of West Virginia's college freshmen will have to sign up for a remedial class, according to the state's Higher Education Policy Commission.

Last fall 5,700 state high school graduates were enrolled in catch-up classes at West Virginia colleges.

The Higher Education Policy Commission says the courses are necessary for students who are unprepared for basic college subjects such as English and math.

Colleges use standardized test scores to place students in core classes that are required for graduation, says the Commission, with students who fall below that score required to take the catch-up class.