Abstract / Synopsis
College Algebra is often under scrutiny because it serves as a critical gateway to graduation for students enrolled in our nation’s undergraduate degree programs. In this paper, we problematize the authority typically ascribed to this course and discuss meeting students’ discipline-specific needs in core mathematics courses such as it. To help facilitate college student success with respect to mathematics course requirements, we recommend that educational constituents and leaders expand dual-enrollment opportunities, infuse culturally relevant practices, and leverage other core mathematics courses as alternatives to College Algebra. In doing so, we add to the ongoing conversation about addressing this issue in undergraduate mathematics education and improving students’ likelihood of earning a college degree.
Recommended Citation
Christopher C. Jett & Gregory Downing, "College Algebra: A Key Element to Degree Completion," Journal of Humanistic Mathematics, Volume 16 Issue 2 (July 2026), pages 408-424. . Available at: https://scholarship.claremont.edu/jhm/vol16/iss2/22
