College Algebra with Corequisite Support: A Comprehensive Overview

College Algebra 2e with Corequisite Support integrates comprehensive algebraic principles with effective foundational review. It addresses the challenge of students entering college algebra without adequate preparation. This article explores the definition, structure, benefits, and implementation of college algebra with corequisite support, drawing on various perspectives and research findings.

Introduction: Addressing the Challenge of College Algebra Readiness

Many students face difficulties in college algebra due to gaps in their foundational knowledge. Traditionally, these students were placed in developmental math courses, such as intermediate algebra, as prerequisites. However, this approach often led to low completion rates and prolonged time to obtain college credit. College Algebra 2e with Corequisite Support aims to address these issues by providing concurrent support and review alongside the college algebra curriculum.

Defining College Algebra with Corequisite Support

College algebra with corequisite support is an educational model that allows students who are not fully prepared for college-level math to enroll directly in college algebra while simultaneously receiving additional support and instruction. This support is designed to address specific skill gaps and reinforce concepts as they are introduced in the college algebra course. The goal is to provide just-in-time remediation, enabling students to succeed in college algebra and progress toward their degree requirements more efficiently.

Key Components of Corequisite Support

The corequisite model typically includes several key components:

Integrated Review: Corequisite courses often incorporate review modules that cover essential pre-algebra and algebra concepts. These modules are carefully aligned with the college algebra curriculum, ensuring that students receive targeted support on the specific skills they need.
Additional Class Time: Corequisite courses typically involve additional class time, either through extended class periods or separate support sessions. This extra time allows instructors to provide more in-depth explanations, work through additional examples, and offer individualized assistance to students.
Supplemental Instruction: Some corequisite programs include supplemental instruction, where students attend additional sessions led by peer tutors or academic specialists. These sessions provide opportunities for collaborative learning, problem-solving, and review of course material.
Personalized Learning: Effective corequisite programs often incorporate personalized learning strategies, such as adaptive learning technologies or individualized learning plans. These strategies allow students to focus on their specific areas of weakness and progress at their own pace.

Structures of Corequisite Support

Various structures exist for implementing corequisite support in college algebra. Here are some common approaches:

Enhanced College Algebra: This model involves expanding the traditional college algebra course to include additional instructional time and integrated review. The same instructor typically teaches the entire course, seamlessly blending college-level content with foundational support.
Paired Courses: In this model, students enroll in a separate corequisite support course alongside the college algebra course. The support course may be taught by a different instructor, requiring close coordination between the instructors to ensure alignment of content and learning objectives.
Workshop Model: This approach involves adding a workshop component to the college algebra course, providing students with opportunities for collaborative problem-solving, review, and individualized assistance. The workshop may be facilitated by the instructor, a teaching assistant, or peer tutors.

Benefits of Corequisite Support

The corequisite approach offers several potential benefits for students and institutions:

Increased Success Rates: Studies have shown that corequisite support can significantly increase student success rates in college algebra. By providing targeted support and addressing skill gaps, corequisite programs enable more students to pass the course and progress toward their degree goals.
Reduced Time to Completion: Corequisite programs can help students complete their math requirements more quickly by eliminating the need for prerequisite developmental math courses. This can save students time and money, and accelerate their progress toward graduation.
Improved Equity: Corequisite support can help to close equity gaps in college completion. Students from underrepresented backgrounds are often disproportionately placed in developmental math courses, which can create barriers to their academic success. Corequisite programs provide these students with the support they need to succeed in college algebra and overcome these barriers.
Enhanced Student Engagement: Corequisite courses often incorporate active learning strategies and collaborative activities, which can enhance student engagement and motivation. By providing a supportive and interactive learning environment, corequisite programs can help students develop a more positive attitude toward math and improve their overall learning experience.

Implementing Effective Corequisite Programs

Implementing effective corequisite programs requires careful planning and attention to several key factors:

Curriculum Alignment: The corequisite curriculum must be closely aligned with the college algebra curriculum, ensuring that students receive targeted support on the specific skills and concepts they need.
Instructor Training: Instructors teaching corequisite courses should receive specialized training on effective strategies for supporting underprepared students. This training should cover topics such as differentiated instruction, active learning, and assessment.
Student Support Services: Corequisite programs should be integrated with comprehensive student support services, such as tutoring, advising, and counseling. These services can provide students with additional resources and assistance to help them succeed in college algebra and beyond.
Data-Driven Evaluation: Corequisite programs should be continuously evaluated using data on student outcomes, such as success rates, retention rates, and time to completion. This data can be used to identify areas for improvement and ensure that the program is meeting its goals.

OpenStax's Approach to Corequisite Support

OpenStax, a non-profit educational initiative at Rice University, offers College Algebra 2e with Corequisite Support. This resource integrates algebraic principles with foundational review. Each section is paired with a skills module that prepares students for the course material. The modules include conceptual overviews, worked examples, and guided practice, incorporating relevant material from OpenStax’s Developmental Math series. This modular approach ensures the book meets the needs of various courses.

Features of OpenStax's Corequisite Support

Examples: Each learning objective is supported by worked examples that demonstrate problem-solving approaches. These examples model different approaches to the same type of problem or introduce similar problems of increasing complexity.
Try It Exercises: These exercises follow examples, providing students with an immediate opportunity to solve a similar problem.
How To: A list of steps necessary to solve a certain type of problem, typically preceding an example.
Q&A: This feature pre-empts misconceptions by posing a commonly asked question, followed by a detailed answer and explanation.
Media: Links to online video tutorials that reinforce the concepts and skills introduced in the section.
Section Exercises: A set of exercises that can be assigned as homework or used for guided practice.
Key Terms and Equations: Formal definitions and a compilation of formulas, theorems, and standard-form equations.

Accuracy and Resources

OpenStax textbooks undergo a rigorous review process, and corrections are made periodically when deemed pedagogically necessary. Additional resources for students and instructors include Getting Started Guides, an instructor solution manual, and PowerPoint slides. OpenStax also partners with the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education (ISKME) to offer Community Hubs on OER Commons, a platform for instructors to share community-created resources.

Corequisite Remediation: A National Perspective

Corequisite remediation has gained traction as an alternative to stand-alone developmental education courses. Evidence suggests that enrolling students directly into college-level courses with aligned support increases their likelihood of passing. Several states have mandated or encouraged colleges to offer corequisite options.

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Success Stories

Georgia: The university system eliminated traditional remedial courses and rolled out corequisite classes in math and English. Student success rates soared to 66% in math and 69% in English.
Tennessee: A Structured Assistance Program (SAP) paired gateway courses with a corequisite lab. Passing rates in gateway math courses surged from 10% to between 65% and 78%.
Oregon: Chemeketa Community College replaced a three-term developmental math sequence with two corequisite pathways. Gateway completion rates for students enrolled in corequisite courses were higher than their peers who did not participate.

Considerations

While corequisite remediation improves short-term student outcomes, its impact on longer-term outcomes, such as persistence in college and graduation, is mixed. Comprehensive advising and student support programs may be necessary to translate corequisite remediation’s impact into longer-term success.

Addressing Concerns and Hesitations

Some math faculty may be hesitant about corequisite courses due to concerns about students struggling with the content. However, corequisite courses can be designed to address these concerns by:

Backward designing the corequisite course from the college course.
Providing time for students to engage with the content in a guided and supported environment.
Focusing on reviewing background math skills and offering guided practice.
Incorporating affective components of learning, such as attention to mindsets, time management, and study strategies.

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