Students lacking basic skills such as reading and writing are getting into college. 29% of college freshman are taking remedial reading, writing, or math classes. Should students be allowed into college if they aren't ready? Conservatives and Radicals have different views on this issue.
             Conservatives argue that we are paying twice to teach students basic reading and writing skills by providing remedial education in college. They see this as supporting lazy, unmotivated students. President Bush spoke against remedial education during a speech in August. Eight states have banished remedial students from four year campuses to two year campuses on the theory that state universities should not be teaching basic reading and writing skills. Tennessee State's higher education commission feels that using state money for any remediation, even at community colleges should be banned. Students should pay for their own remedial tuition.
             Radicals, on the other hand, point out that if some students who need remedial education are forced in to community colleges, they will never make it to four year universities. This puts at-risk students such as minority students from lower economic status in poor school districts to a disadvantage. This is like punishing students who have attended terrible high schools. In addition, universities trying to maintain a diverse campus will have to work around another obstacle for minority enrollment.
             My opinion is that high schools should not graduate students who do not meet basic reading, writing, or math skills. Remedial education should be provided at a high school level, not at college level. I believe when a student enters college, he/she should be ready and at the same level as everyone else. This will eliminate the need for any type of remedial education.
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