Reader Paul Nelson sends me a note on this post from Kimberly Swygert.

...on average, nearly half of all U[niversity of] C[incinnati] admits have to take a remedial course before they can even get started on tackling college-level material. But instead of admitting that the Board of Regents might have a point in restructuring the system so that college hopefuls will be forced to learn the basics in high school, the UC VP is all about making sure that UC gets that tuition money from those valuable "underprepared" students"

Well yes, of course, because what public universities produce are certificates, not education.

UPDATE: Turns out it's true in Texas too, says Twilight of the Idols.