From AP to remediation

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A sad state of affairs is reported in Joanne Jacobs’ blog–with many many comments this holiday season. http://www.joannejacobs.com/2010/12/from-ap-classes-to-remedial-ed/comment-page-1/#comment-148957 

Here’s my two cents:

Apparently, it’s not called ‘remedial’ in colleges any more–it’s called “developmental education.” This looks like another attempt to hide the truth–and lower expectations. Words mean something! They should be used precisely. If we are teaching K-12 skills and knowledge at the colleges, then we need to call that remediation–it is not developmental, unless we’re prepared to admit that education levels have been officially lowered and altered.

About Miriam

Miriam Kurtzig Freedman, JD, MA—an expert in public education, focused on special education law— is a lawyer, author, speaker, consultant, and reformer. For more than 35 years, Miriam worked with educators, parents, policy makers, and citizens to translate complex legalese into plain English and focus on good practices for children. Now, she focuses her passion on reforming special education, with her new book, Special Education 2.0—Breaking Taboos to Build a NEW Education Law. Presentations include those at the AASA Conference, Orange County (CA), Boston College (MA), CADRE (OR), and the Fordham Institute (DC). Her writings have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Education Week, Education Next, Hoover Digest, The University of Chicago Law Review on line, DianeRavitch.net, and The Atlantic Monthly on line.

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