Chapter 3: Interdisciplinary Collaboration as an Innovative Approach to Developmental Education at Morgan State University

Many students who struggle to afford college tend to also be the least prepared academically. As a result, many are required to spend precious resources—including limited federal financial aid such as Pell Grants— taking developmental education courses that do not count toward a college degree, making developmental education course completion a critical factor in increasing degree completion among low income and minority students. Developmental education, also used interchangeably with terms like remedial education and basic skills, is not a new educational phenomenon, in fact 40% of postsecondary students were enrolled in “college preparatory” classes in 1894 (Arendale, 2002). According to fall 2006 enrollment data, more than 50% of students at 2-year institutions, and nearly 20% at 4-year institutions, are enrolled in developmental education courses (Complete College America, 2012). The concerns about developmental education persist because of the estimated one to three billion dollars it costs nationwide for the nearly 100% of 2-year institutions and 80% of 4-year institutions to offer and enroll students in developmental education courses (Bettinger, Boatman, & Long, 2013; NCES, 2003; NCES, 2013; Pretlow, & Wathington, 2011).