Did you know that 7/8 - 5/6 = 2/2 = 0? I found this answer on more than one test paper from my college class.
I'm not saying these people shouldn't go to college. They might be late bloomers, but come on, an answer like this in a college class? Can these people possibly learn all the math they should have learned between third and ninth grade in one semester, 4 short months? I highly doubt it is possible. Some might make it, if they have a background and good study skills but those without the background will not have a chance.
My heart breaks to see some of them suffer so much. A young man with a 54 wants to me a computer engineer. A woman with a test grade of 37 plans on becoming a registered nurse.
For some, it might be a lack of effort, but not for all. While you might not need to know how to add signed numbers to become a nurse, the ability to learn to add them has a lot to do with the ability to learn things necessary for that life saving profession.
I wish I had an answer, but I don't. I see people pouring their money down the toilet trying to learn subjects that cannot learn. I see them wasting their lives pursuing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I will not be the one to discourage them with words. Their grades do enough damage.
If it were up to me, I would make sure everyone was proficient in the three r's before they even attempted college, but, that is me. Obama thinks everyone should go to college. Too bad he has no idea as to how little it takes to get a high school diploma.