Getting Prepared 2018: Developmental Education Course-Taking of High School Graduates, Classes 2009-2017

"Getting Prepared 2018" examines Minnesota public high school graduates from the classes of 2009-2017 who enrolled in postsecondary education and those enrolled in developmental education. This report provides insight into the academic readiness of Minnesota public high school graduates. Developmental education adds to the overall cost of college for students in terms of both tuition and opportunity costs for students who spend additional time finishing developmental course requirements before starting program-specific courses. The report utilizes analysis resulting from linking student level data within the Minnesota Statewide Longitudinal Education Data System (SLEDS) on Minnesota public high school graduates from the Minnesota Department of Education with college enrollment data from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the National Student Clearinghouse. Twenty-two percent of 2015 public high school graduates enrolling in postsecondary enrolled in one or more developmental courses within two years of graduating high school. Overall developmental education rates for recent high school graduates declined between 2009 and 2015. Almost all graduates enrolling in developmental education (97%) enrolled at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Disparities in enrollment in developmental education also exist for students of color, non-English speakers and lower income students. [For "Getting Prepared 2017: Recent High School Graduates and Development Courses," see ED583057.]