Division of Developmental Education

The purpose of the Division of Developmental Education is to meet the diverse needs of underprepared students and to prepare them for postsecondary success. The Division of Developmental Education shares the motto of the National Association for Developmental Education (NADE): "helping underprepared students prepare, prepared students advance, and advanced students excel."

The division is comprised of three main areas of development: English, mathematics, and reading. Developmental courses do not meet graduation requirements or requirements for completion of a degree, diploma, or certificate. Students must successfully pass the developmental courses before enrolling into college-level courses. Any student enrolled in two or more developmental courses should be advised not to enroll in more than 16 total credit hours per semester.

The division is comprised of three main areas of development: english, reading, and math.

Objectives

• To provide educational opportunities and services for each student.
• To prepare students for post secondary education.
• To ensure proper placement by assessing each student's level of preparedness for college coursework.
• To empower students with the necessary skills to succeed academically, personally, and professionally.
• To assist the college with the retention of students.

Placement Accessment Requirements

All beginning freshmen are administered the Computer-Adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System (COMPASS) Test. This instrument is used for placement, assessment of achievement, aptitude, and interest in math, reading, and writing. All entering students who enroll for more than four (4) credit hours or eight (8) weekly contact hours per semester, or enrolled in a math, English, or reading course, will be assessed by the COMPASS, and placed at the appropriate level as indicated by the assessment results.

The following COMPASS Test scores are used to determine students' placement in developmental courses:

Placement Assessment Retest Policy
Students may retest only at the mid-term of the first semester of their enrollment in developmental courses, and again, if necessary, at the end of their first semester of developmental courses. In order that retesting is not abused, acceptable reasons for retesting include: (1) attempting to improve scores for higher course placement, (2) never enrolled in English, reading or mathematics courses, and (3) COMPASS test or any other assessment was taken over three years ago. The retesting fee is $8.00 per component. Retesting fees must be paid in the Business Office on the Main Campus prior to retesting. Students must present their receipt in order to retest.

Developmental Course Descriptions:

ENG 092 BASIC ENGLISH I:: 3 credits
This course is a review of basic writing skills and basic grammar. Emphasis is placed on the composing process of sentences and paragraphs in standard American written English. Students will demonstrate these skills chiefly through the writing of well-developed, multi-sentence paragraphs.

ENG 093 BASIC ENGLISH II:: 3 credits
Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in ENG 092 or a minimum score of 38 on the COMPASS
This course is a review of composition skills and grammar. Emphasis is placed on coherence and the use of a variety of sentence structures in the composing process and on standard American written English usage. Students will demonstrate these skills chiefly through the writing of paragraph blocks and short essays.

MTH 080 MATHEMATICS LABORATORY: 1 credit
Corequisite: MTH 098
This course is designed to offer supplemental help to students in mathematics. Students work in a laboratory situation under qualified instructors. This course may be repeated as needed. Emphasis is on arithmetic and algebra as determined by the individual need of the students. This course does not meet the general core requirements for mathematics.

MTH 090 BASIC MATHEMATICS: 3 credits
This is a developmental course reviewing arithmetical principles and computations designed to help the student's mathematical proficiency for selected curriculum entrance. There is a required computer component for this course. This course does not meet the general core requirements for mathematics.

MTH 098 ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA: 3 credits
Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in MTH 090 or appropriate placement score
This course is a review of the fundamental arithmetic and algebraic skills designed to provide sufficient mathematical proficiency necessary for entry into Intermediate College Algebra. The topics include the numbers of ordinary arithmetic and their properties; integers and rational numbers, the solving of equations; polynomials and factoring; and an introduction to systems of equations and graphs. There is a required computer component for this course. This course does not meet the general core requirements for mathematics.

RDG 083 DEVELOPMENTAL READING I: 3 credits
This course is designed to assist students whose placement test scores indicate serious difficulty with decoding skills, comprehension, vocabulary, and study skills.

RDG 084 DEVELOPMENTAL READING II: 3 credits
Prerequisite: RDG 083 or equivalent placement score
This course is designed to assist students whose placement test scores indicate serious difficulty with decoding skills, comprehension, vocabulary, and study skills.