When making the transition from high school to college, some students need to take refresher courses to prepare for college-level math and English.

Although the number of students needing review courses is increasing nationwide, those numbers are shrinking at MSU.

Sharif Shakrani, director of the Education Policy Center at MSU, said about 25 percent of entering freshmen lack preparation for college-level math, especially algebra. Thirty percent of students graduating college in four to six years have to take two or more remedial classes, he said, adding that students who have to take remedial classes are less likely to graduate within four years.

"Remedial courses are a waste of money and time," Shakrani said. "Students and parents pay tuition to repeat what they should have learned in high school."

Some students, however, such as James Madison freshman David Leone, find remedial classes to be beneficial.

"It was better to brush up on the essentials," Leone said, referring to math skills he wanted to improve upon before moving on to more difficult classes. "It is kind of hard to remember stuff you had to learn in high school."

There is a disconnect between high school graduation requirements and what MSU officials want freshmen to know when entering college-level math courses. Shakrani said some Michigan high schools do not require secondary algebra, which is a primary prerequisite for MSU.

"While they meet credits, they don't meet regular requirements at MSU," Shakrani said, adding that once students get to MSU, they're surprised by the required entry-level class since they satisfied their math requirements in high school.

Not all school systems have the books and computers they may need to help students learn, said Tama Hamilton-Wray, writing, rhetoric and American culture, or WRA, visiting instructor.

"Unfortunately, all high schools are not equal," Hamilton-Wray said. "Some schools have four and five

times the budget of others and can hire teachers with master's degrees or have more resources."

In April, the state of Michigan passed a law requiring all high school students to take three years of algebra and one year of geometry because of the high percentages of freshmen needing to take remedial courses, Shakrani said. The law goes into effect at the beginning of the 2011 school year, he said.

MSU officials and high school administrators should inform students about placement tests and what courses they should take earlier, Shakrani said.

"We should do our best to ensure we convey information to students before they come to MSU," Shakrani said. "I hate to see them get information after they are already accepted (to MSU)."

Math instructor Jim Brandt, who teaches algebra in his MTH 1825 class, said high school students should stop trying to "pad" their grade-point averages.

Brandt, who is a former high school teacher, said students should take math all four years of high school instead of only meeting their graduation requirements.

"In high school, students should check where they are going to school to see what type of math they need," he said. "That alone would make a big difference."

Interior design freshman Jennifer Allen said she tested into MTH 1825 and is enjoying it so far. She felt she needed to take the course because math is difficult for her.

"I am not a huge fan of math," Allen said, adding that she only took the math classes required for her to graduate. "I haven't taken math for two years, so it definitely helps me get back into it."

Hamilton-Wray said she teaches basic composition, grammar, punctuation and analytical thinking and writing.

Remedial English classes, such as WRA 1004, give students "a foot up" when entering college, she said.

"It gives them writing and analytical courses they need to get them up to par," Hamilton-Wray said, adding that students take entry-level English courses for a variety of reasons. Some students, like Sungwha Na, an international student from Korea, are not taught English as their first language.

Na said he enjoys WRA 1004 more than his previous English classes, but said it also is more difficult.

"In this class, students are discussing a lot," Na said, adding that his other classes did not allow him to do that as much. "It helps me adjust in my other academic classes.

"It is improving my English and how I write."

Although not all students who take the course feel they need extra help, the course still benefits them, Hamilton-Wray said.

Biology freshman Kim Tanner is currently taking the course and said at times it's easy. She said the class definitely makes students more prepared to take other classes.

"There is a lot of reading and learning how to write," Tanner said. "This is just a stepping stone to get me prepared for more difficult classes."