The Kiss of Death? An Alternative View of College Remediation, by Cliff Adelman; No One to Waste, by Bob Mc- Cabe; and Salvage, Redirection, or Custody: Remedial Education in the Community Junior College, by John Roueche — look no further than these titles to sense the commitment and controversy surrounding developmental education.

Despite the escalating numbers of students who need developmental work, many critics of developmental education blame the K-12 school system for not preparing students for college-level work. They question whether it is within the parameters of the college or the university’s mission to provide developmental education programs.

Whether or not they are critical, the reality is we cannot afford not to educate these “at risk” students. To critics who say this is not a “real” issue, consider the scope and magnitude of developmental education. According to a report by Strong American Schools, titled “Diploma to Nowhere,” onethird of American college students need to enroll in remedial classes. The picture is made clearer when the data are broken down by students in community colleges and four-year colleges and universities: 43 percent of community college students and 29 percent of four-year college and university students require remediation. This is a real issue that demands continued attention and investment.

Critics also advance their cause by deliberating on the cost of remedial education. The Strong American Schools’ report estimates between $1.9 billion and $2.4 billion is spent annually on developmental education in public two-year colleges, and at four-year colleges and universities the cost is between $435 million and $543 million. No, this amount is not insignifi cant, but keep this cost in perspective. In September 2008, U.S. News & World Report included an article with another memorable title, “Congress Nears Historic Vote on $700 Billion Bailout Plan for Wall Street.” If we are willing to spend billions bailing out Wall Street, are we not willing to invest a lesser amount to bail out students from educational failure?