New Leadership Announced to Reform Developmental Education in the U.S.

Education Commission of the States Appoints New Director

The Education Commission of the States (ECS) has announced that Victoria Ballerini has been appointed as the new director to spearhead the 'Strong Start to Finish' initiative, aimed at reforming developmental education across higher education institutions. Ballerini, who has previously served in this role as an interim director, has a wealth of experience in higher education policy and practice, dedicating her career to enhancing educational access and success for historically marginalized populations.

The ECS's 'Strong Start to Finish' program was developed in response to research revealing that over a million students embark on their college journeys every year into remedial courses, which are often ineffective in paving the way to credit-bearing classes. This alarming statistic not only impacts the academic success of the students but also contributes to a troubling decline in college graduation rates.

José Muñoz, the president of ECS, highlighted the urgent need for reform, stating, "Today, across the nation, more than a million students begin college in costly remedial coursework, but many never progress to credit-bearing classes and even fewer graduate." He emphasized that there are far superior methods available to support first-year students, enabling them to achieve a strong start in their college education and ultimately leading to their overall success.

Victoria Ballerini, who holds a PhD in higher and postsecondary education from New York University, brings 20 years of rich experience in the field. Her background includes various roles in government and academic institutions, as well as involvement in policy research organizations.

In her new position, Ballerini aims to mobilize momentum in the reform efforts, especially considering the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many students who faced learning disruptions during the pandemic are now entering colleges requiring additional support. Ballerini noted, "The time to spark momentum in this work has never been more urgent... in places like Louisiana, we've seen how changes to coursework in the first year of college can yield impressive gains for all students."

'Education Commission of the States' has prioritized a proactive approach to removing obstacles that impede students from earning their college credits in essential subjects like math and English. This network of policy and research partners strives to implement effective strategies that will lead to increased opportunities for students, thus improving their chances of success both in college and in their future careers.

The ECS's commitment to this initiative underlines the importance of educational reform in the modern landscape. With Ballerini at the helm of the 'Strong Start to Finish' initiative, there is hope for sweeping changes that will positively influence the future of developmental education nationwide.

To learn more about the ECS and its efforts, visit ecs.org.