There is some help on the way for some Virginia Community College students who need remedial education help to prepare for college-level classes:

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded Danville Community College and Patrick Henry Community College each a $743,000 grant over three years in an effort to boost college graduation rates, the foundation announced today.

According to the Gates Foundation, 47 percent of students who enroll in community colleges must first take non-credit remedial classes before they can begin degree coursework. But for many students, there is an educational gap between high school and college, making remedial courses a struggle.

The grants are part of $1.8 million given to the state of Virginia — and $16.5 million nationwide — to expand remedial education programs aimed at improving the graduation rates of low-income students and students of color. Danville and Patrick Henry community colleges are two of 15 community colleges nationwide chosen for these grants.

You can read more about the grants in news stories from the Danville Register & Bee, the Richmond Times-Dispatch and the Newport News Daily Press.

Posted by Jeffrey Kraus