This Brief reviews evidence on students who enter community college with weak academic skills, and it summarizes study findings on the effectiveness of developmental education. It suggests that, on average, developmental education is not very effective in overcoming student weaknesses. The report concludes with recommendations for a reform agenda based on a comprehensive approach to assessment, more research that tracks students through their early experiences at college, a blurring of the distinction between developmental and "college-level" students that could improve pedagogy for both groups of students, and strategies to streamline developmental programs and accelerate student enrollment in college-level courses. [This Brief is based on "Challenge And Opportunity: Rethinking the Role and Function of Developmental Education in Community College. CCRC Working Paper No. 14."]