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As reported by the 2023 ACT National Profile Report, current students are coming to college less prepared than previous classes. Every year since 2019, the national benchmarks for English, Math, Science, and Reading have dropped steadily by 1-2%. In the landscape of higher education where enrollment is becoming increasingly competitive amongst colleges, ensuring equitable access and success for all students, including underprepared ones, remains a paramount goal. Yet, traditional prerequisite models often create barriers, particularly for students requiring additional support to excel in credit-bearing courses. Enter corequisites, which not only streamline academic pathways but may also enhance student retention, intervention, and a growth mindset.
Corequisite models allow students to enroll directly in credit-bearing courses while simultaneously receiving support. This approach virtually eliminates the need for prerequisite remedial courses, enabling students to access core content sooner and progress through their academic programs more efficiently. Multiple studies suggest that the benefits of a corequisite include, but are not limited to: higher retention rates, timely intervention, tailored support, and the development of growth mindsets for students who may face academic challenges.
Student Retention Rates
One of the most significant advantages of corequisites is their positive impact on student retention rates. By providing immediate assistance tailored to students’ needs, students may become less discouraged or overwhelmed by prerequisite requirements, as they receive support when they need it, maximizing their chances of academic success. A report published in the Composition Studies Journal in 2020 reported that students who took a corequisite (referred to as student academy classes in the study) had a retention rate 2% higher than those who did not take a corequisite. This study — conducted at Georgia State University — suggests that corequisites give students more time within the classes they find difficult, and extra learning time is critical to being successful.
Timely Intervention
Timely intervention is another key benefit afforded by corequisite models. According to Complete College America, 52% of students who are enrolled in a two-year institution and 24% of those who are enrolled in a four-year institution are taking a math corequisite. Rather than waiting until students falter in prerequisite courses, corequisites identify and address academic challenges early on. Receiving support and additional instruction for the same course can increase a student’s understanding and awareness. The students spend more time on the material than those who do not take the corequisite, thus offering them more time to understand the topic(s). This proactive approach enables educators to intervene swiftly, offering targeted assistance before difficulties escalate. As a result, students are better equipped to navigate course material and overcome obstacles, fostering a more conducive learning environment.
Tailored Support
Furthermore, corequisites provide tailored support that caters to the specific needs of individual students. Whether through additional instruction, tutoring, or supplemental resources, these models recognize and accommodate diverse learning styles and abilities. Leslie Gomes, chair of the department of student transitions and lecturer of mathematics at the University of Central Arkansas, states, “We have taken great care to scaffold those prerequisite skills into the content at key points to provide our students with “just in time” remediation. For example, if we have a lesson on the Quadratic Formula coming up in College Algebra, we would want to review how to simplify radical expressions in the support course.” Different from student-run services, getting support from instructors or expert staff can offer differing advice and viewpoints of issues that students may encounter. Such personalized support not only enhances comprehension but also cultivates a sense of inclusivity and belonging, ensuring that no student is left behind.
Higher Levels of Growth Mindset
Perhaps most importantly, corequisites have been found to boost levels of growth mindset for students who may face academic challenges. By integrating support within credit-bearing courses, these models dispel the stigma often associated with not feeling like they belong. A report by the Education Commission of the States suggests “that implementing systemic changes that create more belonging-supportive learning environments where instructors showcase their belief in their students’ abilities and intelligence would support the development of all students and students enrolled in corequisite courses in particular.” In short, when faculty work closer with students, students feel more like they belong in school. Students no longer feel relegated to separate tracks or labeled as needing “extra help.” Instead, they engage with course material alongside their peers, empowered by the knowledge that they have the resources and assistance needed to succeed.
Corequisites represent a fundamental shift in higher education, one that prioritizes accessibility, equity, and student success. By eliminating the barriers imposed by traditional prerequisite models, corequisites facilitate smoother academic pathways, higher retention rates, timely intervention, tailored support, and increased confidence among students. As educational institutions continue to embrace innovative approaches to learning, corequisites stand out as a beacon of progress, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to thrive and fulfill their academic potential.
