The percentage that had taken remedial courses was also at record levels.

In some states, more than 50 percent of the college students take remedial courses.

And by the time they get to college, nearly 20 percent of students need to take remedial writing courses.

And, if they get to university to do something useful, there is too often a remedial course to bring their education up to previous standards.

And what better place to take remedial courses than on campus?

The final third need no remedial courses, and take a regular college curriculum from the start.

Now, 42 percent of freshmen take at least one remedial course.

In the remedial courses, they are taught basic academic skills.

But many students progress slowly because they must take remedial courses.

Many take remedial courses for no credit in their first year.