RUME 28
2026
Alexandria, Virginia
Mathematics Support Structures for Calculus and Precalculus: What are the Impacts on Student Outcomes?
Page: 1405
So-called “Gatekeeper Courses” such as Calculus I and Precalculus often serve as an impediment to student aspirations, with negative impacts on university retention and equity goals, particularly within STEM degree programs. Particularly given challenges that students are experiencing post covid-19, interventions that improve success rates in initial mathematics classes thus have substantial value for university policymakers. This poster presents data examining the outcomes of two mathematics support options for entering undergraduates: an intensive summer “Bootcamp” immediately prior to the start of the Fall semester, and “Companion Courses” which run throughout the semester and attempt to provide just-in-time math practice, both supervised by faculty members and implemented by Undergraduate Learning Assistants. Data indicate that these two support structures have the potential to improve student outcomes, providing a possible option to raise student retention and reduce the impact of initial mathematics courses as a gatekeeper.