In an educational setting where traditional remediation methods often slow or derail students' academic progress, Oregon's community colleges are pioneering innovative approaches. The corequisite education model allows students to enroll in college-level courses while receiving concurrent support, changing the traditional prerequisite class structure. The method has shown promising results, especially in mathematics, with students like Julia Short at Chemeketa Community College finding unexpected success.
revolutionize restoration
For years, students struggling with subjects like math and English faced the daunting task of completing prerequisite courses before tackling college-level coursework. However, the co-requisite model introduced in Oregon offers a new path. Students like Short and classmate Stephanie Shelton are now thriving thanks to the additional support provided by corequisite courses. Chemeketa Community College, in particular, has been at the forefront of this change, and our instructors have seen first-hand the benefits of this approach. The university's data shows significantly increased pass rates for students enrolled in Common Required Mathematics compared to other students in traditional settings.
Expanding access and reducing barriers
The co-necessity model not only accelerates student progress, but also addresses issues of equity. Historically, prerequisite courses have disproportionately impacted Black, Indigenous, people of color, and low-income students and contributed to higher dropout rates. Oregon's community colleges are moving toward more inclusive and effective education by merging co-requisite classes. The state Higher Education Coordinating Board received a grant to advance this effort, with ambitious plans to standardize the model across all 17 community colleges.
looking to the future
As the success of co-requisite education becomes more evident, it is likely that it will be adopted more broadly beyond community colleges. For example, Portland State University began piloting a co-requisite course for its Mathematics 111 class. A shift toward more supportive and efficient remediation could redefine college readiness and make higher education more accessible and achievable for diverse students. For someone like Short, who once doubted her academic potential, the corequisite model not only boosted her confidence but also expanded her future possibilities.
Oregon's corequisite education is more than just a pilot program. This is a burgeoning movement that challenges traditional notions of restoration. If more institutions adopt this model, it could change the landscape of higher education and make college success a reality for countless students who might otherwise be left behind.
