This fastback provides an overview of developmental education at the college level, focusing on what the concept means and how developmental education programs work. Developmental education is an umbrella term that includes both academic and social/psychological support services for underprepared students. Developmental education students are typically either: "poor choosers," in that they did not select a college-prep curriculum in high school; adult learners who return to school after a long absence; students with undetected academic or physical problems; non-native speakers of English; learning or physically disabled; or students who lack clear goals. Developmental programs typically include special remedial classes, a learning assistance center, tutoring, advising, and counseling. Review of the evaluation and effectiveness of developmental education programs finds that a number of studies indicate that developmental education programs are highly successful, and that students who go through these programs graduate from college at about the same rates as those judged to be better prepared. Four student vignettes are used to illustrate success stories among developmental education students. (Contains 14 references.) (MDM)