Although much maligned, developmental education is essential for students who enter community college, but who are not academically ready – typically over 50% of newly enrolled students.

Data suggesting that vast numbers of students in developmental education are dropping out of college, doesn’t tell the whole story.

Maryland has developed a method of tracking students so fewer fall through the cracks. Our data shows developmental students and ‘college-ready’ students completing their programs at very similar rates.

Maryland’s ‘Degree Progress’ model is the basis for the Volunteer Framework for Accountability (VFA) advocated by the American Association of Community Colleges.