A study was conducted at Miami-Dade Community College (M-DCC) to assess the academic performance of students who participated in remedial course work during their first term of enrollment, and to determine the participation rate of remedial-eligible students. The fall 1980 administration of a basic skills test battery found 2,968 of 6,726 first-time-in-college students eligible for remedial reading, 2,770 eligible for remedial writing, and 2,933 eligible for remedial math. More than half of the remedial-eligible students did not take remedial coursework, with the lowest participation rates in math courses and the highest in reading courses. The retention and graduation rates of those students who did not take remedial courses were as high or higher than those of students who did take remedial courses. At one campus, students' chances of graduating or still being enrolled 3 years after their initial enrollment were markedly improved by not taking a remedial course during their first term. Due to a phase-in policy of mandatory compliance with remedial placement, there was an anticipated and consistent increase between 1980 and 1982 in the percentage of eligible students taking remedial courses during their first term. Based on retention and graduation data, advisors should be alerted that a student's deliberate decision not to enroll in remedial work during his/her first term may be a beneficial and appropriate choice. (HB)