The remedial model requires students to take prerequisite classes before the official college level course. In the corequisite model, students are immediately enrolled in college level courses while receiving additional support to ensure their success.
Jada Hauser | Washtenaw Voice
Yana Mcguire
Staff Writer
In the winter 2025 semester, WCC will be adopting the corequisite model for English and math introductory courses. This model allows students who place below college level to register for college-level classes along with a supplement class or credit hour that will provide additional instruction.
Both subjects offer Open Educational Resources (OER) course materials, which are free to students. However, each subject’s corequisite is structured differently in hopes of balancing the removal of remedial courses.
ENG 111s
Students are required to take ENG 111S alongside ENG 111 if they place under the required level to take ENG 111. A change from previously offered developmental courses, also called remedial prerequisite courses.
There is no charge for the extra course. Enrollment can be done in one of two ways. In the paired model, students attend ENG 111 and 111S back-to-back with the same instructor. Essentially, both courses are wrapped into a three-hour block. In the unpaired model, the courses are split and will be held on different days with different instructors.
The unpaired model is being offered for those students with busy schedules. While the paired model is ideal, instructors have committed to working together to ensure students get the help that they need.
“I just finished [teaching] a 111S that is just like that [unpaired],” Adam Robertson, WCC English instructor said. “What my routine was, each week or so, I emailed the 111 instructor. Obviously, I am checking in with the student, but I want to hear what is going on from the 111 instructor’s perspective, too. All the instructors were different, but we started to bond. You know, we are working together.”
Robertson states that this consistent communication will help monitor student progress and allow the type of help students need to be effective.
The writing centers will still issue assignments to 111S students. However, understanding that some students may need more help than the supplement offers, they are adding a hands-on approach to learning.
“We’ll have an embedded writing center tutor who will come to our S classes,” Robertson said. “This will give people more individualized support, but also, it could be an opportunity to get those writing center assignments checked.”
Currently, ENG 111S is being offered in-person and virtual classrooms. However, the course will be offered completely online soon. Robinson has been building the online course and states it is in the beginning stages.
MTH 125X
MTH 125X is a standalone course that allows students to complete the MTH 125 credits with an additional contact hour each week that offers help with assignments. The class meets two times a week and will have an additional 30 minutes after each class to address questions about assignments given.
Jason Davis, WCC Math instructor, said that replacing two remedial courses that offered four credit hours each with just one credit hour will be challenging for students. Nevertheless, he encourages students to develop communication with their instructors early so the help needed can be implemented immediately.
“We have worked very hard to make sure that we have very good educators teaching these courses,” Davis said. “The teachers are very dedicated to helping their students be successful.”
Rebecca Zimmerman, WCC Math Instructor, said that building a strong enough relationship with the instructor to be comfortable asking questions is important to students’ success.
“There’s only three of us teaching this course this semester,” Zimmerman said. “All three of us have been teaching those remedial courses up until now. We understand the student that is going to be taking this class. Our focus is going to be making sure that these students are comfortable and feel supported.”
The math department is not considering an online version of MTH 125X at this time, according to Davis. They believe in-person is the most effective approach to student success.
