Lack of Remediation

When I went in for my teaching interview in December, I found out a semi-distressing fact: Students who have graduated from a Florida high school in (approximately) the past four years can't be compelled to take developmental (remedial) classes. Even though freshman composition has always been my favorite class to teach -- with the possible exception of Creative Nonfiction -- it isn't an easy class to teach. Everyone is coming in at different levels, and with this new statute, that's more true than ever. Of course, no one wants to be told he or she isn't ready for a first-level course, and if the state said they were unprepared, it (the state) would be admitting it hadn't provided a complete education. Instead, let's just say the students are prepared.

Last week, on the first night of class, I had my students write diagnostic essays. I scored them out of ten points, and the highest grade was seven. The lowest was a generous five. I'm not sure the state is doing these students any favors. Is is better to take a developmental class and pass than to take a first-level class and fail? If they don't have the foundations, they are going to feel frustrated and be more likely to give up on college altogether. I agree that a high school diploma should demonstrate at least basic knowledge in the main subjects areas, but I have seen the proof that it doesn't.

I will do my best to give my students what they need this semester to move on to the next level, but I'm not sure it will be enough. Not that the state cares what I think, but I'm not sure that exempting them from developmental classes is in the students' best interest.