Yes, Harvard University has indeed started offering a remedial math course to help students make up for high school math deficiencies.1
This new course, often referred to as "Math MA" or a similar designation, is designed to address a lack of foundational algebra, geometry, and quantitative reasoning skills among some incoming students.2 It's a significant development, as it marks the first time in Harvard's history that such a course has been introduced.
There are various perspectives on why this course has become necessary, including potential impacts of pandemic-era learning gaps, test-optional admissions policies, and shifts in high school curricula. Regardless of the reasons, Harvard is now providing a structured way for students to strengthen their foundational math skills before tackling more advanced college-level mathematics.3
Additionally, while not strictly "remedial" in the same sense for current Harvard undergraduates, the Harvard Summer School offers programs for high school students that include college-level math courses. These aren't explicitly for making up deficiencies, but they can help prepare students for the rigor of university-level math.
The Harvard Extension School also offers a Math Question Center which supports its students with mathematics up through Calculus, introductory and intermediate statistics, and reviews of basic math concepts needed for success in introductory courses in other fields.4 This is another resource for students who may need to bolster their math skills.
