The Effects of Corequisite Remediation: Evidence From a Statewide Reform in Tennessee (2022)

This research article evaluates the impacts of corequisite remediation compared to traditional prerequisite remediation, utilizing a statewide reform in Tennessee. The study by Florence Xiaotao Ran and Yuxin Lin provides causal evidence that students placed into corequisite remediation significantly outperform those in prerequisite settings in terms of passing gateway courses.

Main Takeaways:

• Increased Course Pass Rates: Students in corequisite remediation were up to 18 percentage points more likely to pass gateway courses in the first year compared to those in prerequisite remediation. The improvement was particularly notable in math, where students were also 10 percentage points more likely to pass subsequent college-level math courses.
• Integration with Math Pathways: The benefits in math were largely due to reforms aligning math courses with students' program requirements, suggesting that success in corequisite models may depend heavily on curriculum alignment.
• No Long-term Impact on Other Outcomes: While corequisite remediation improved short-term academic outcomes, the study did not find significant impacts on long-term outcomes such as enrollment persistence, transfer to four-year colleges, or degree completion.
• Policy Implications: These findings support the shift toward corequisite remediation across other state systems and colleges, emphasizing the need for careful integration with other academic and advising reforms.