The Developmental Education Program at Eastern Kentucky University helps students achieve their maximum potential and enhances their chances for academic success by providing opportunities for skill development through courses and programs designed to improve basic skills in writing, reading, and mathematics. Courses in the Developmental Program include ENG 090 (Basic Writing), ENG 095 (Developmental Composition), ENR 090 (Developmental Reading I), ENR 095 (Developmental Reading II), MAT 090 (Prealgebra), and MAT 095 (Developmental Algebra 1). These courses are offered through the Departments of English and Theatre and Mathematics and Statistics.

The University measures basic proficiencies in writing, reading, and mathematics by student performance on the ACT, SAT and EKU placement tests. Placement in, and successful completion of, these courses is required of students who do not demonstrate proficiency in the basic skill areas. Students taking developmental classes receive institutional credit for the courses. Credit hours earned in developmental courses do not apply toward graduation, but they do count toward the enrollment status for such purposes as financial aid eligibility and full-time student status.

The Developmental Education Director works closely with other areas to provide services for students with developmental needs. For example, the director works closely with the Office of Academic Testing to help ensure that students are placed into appropriate level courses. She collaborates with the Office of Academic Advising to help students define interests and links to academic majors. She works with the Division of Enrollment Management in providing a Transition to College course for students with developmental needs. And finally, she works closely with the Coordinator for Mentoring and Tutoring to provide services for EKU students.

The Developmental Education area also coordinates the First Step to College Success summer program. This program is designed to address the needs of students placed into developmental courses in mathematics, writing, and/or reading. The highly structured program provides intensive instruction by leading developmental educators. Students admitted to the program study together to form a collaborative learning community characterized by mutual assistance and encouragement. Upon successful completion of the program, students begin taking college level courses that will lead to the awarding of academic degrees while completing other developmental requirements, if they are needed.

The First Step to College Success program is specifically designed to address the needs of students with two or more developmental area requirements and for students entering the University in the Special Admissions category. This program has been very successful in helping students remediate developmental requirements and be retained at the University.