Kansas education officials say the state’s remedial education plan for incoming college students isn’t working.

The remedial courses, sometimes called developmental education, are offered to students who need to improve their capabilities in math, English or reading before taking college-level courses.

The state says 42 percent of the first-time students in two-year colleges and 16 percent in public, four-year colleges take at least one remedial course. Most of those students don’t graduate.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports a new report recommends that the state increase funding and make changes to the program.

Susan Fish, state director of developmental education, says students should be allowed to take the college level and remedial course simultaneously. And, she says schools need to do a better job of helping students cope with life’s demands.