Gateway Course: First Steps For College

By Adam

When taking a leap into higher education many students are met with challenges. One of those challenges included math and English courses. Nationally, more than two-thirds of community college students are academically underprepared in these subjects. This is where gateway courses step in. A gateway course is the first college-level course in math or English a student may take. Studies have found that students who complete these courses in their first year tend to continue their education.

During the 2020-2021 school year 19,046 community college students did not complete courses in their first year. The importance of taking these courses in the first year helps predict retention. When preparing for these courses the institution focuses on being “student focused.” This means the institution is focused on meeting the needs of its students and supporting them.

One way the state of Kentucky is ensuring gateway course success is through its prerequisites. This ensures students who are academically unprepared have access to prerequisites that can give them the knowledge to succeed. Studies have shown that gateway course completion is an equity issue. There are gaps in performance in regard to race, gender, and age.

When gateway courses are combined with institutional resources students gain more resources and tools to help build their success. In Kentucky, the framework that is used is focused on connecting the path, charting the path, continuing the path and completion. This helps the state reach their goal of 60% of their population having earned a postsecondary degree by year 2030.

Source: Kentucky Student Success Collaborative