Developmental courses in English, math, and reading have an important purpose in higher education, especially in the open-access world of community colleges. These classes--also referred to as "remedial"--are intended to give less-prepared students a chance to catch up and meet the challenges of college-level coursework. However,…

This three-part report summarizes the accomplishments of Illinois' Disadvantaged Student Grant Program, through which public community colleges receive special funds for aiding educationally disadvantaged students on the basis of enrollment in remedial and developmental courses. Part I presents anecdotal accounts of exemplary student achievements…