Learning assignments in courses not created when assigned through specializations

Summary:

When a learner is added to a specialization, we noticed that the learner is not created a learning assignment in the activity(course) till they start the course. They never will be in a no started status. Is this expected behavior? Is there a way in the application to force them to a not started status?

This is causing issues for us as:

1. The number of actual learners within a course is understated (i.e. will not show up as not started and only created when thy start).
2. Admins are not able to manage activity / course level completions for anyone that has not yet started.