|
Developmental Program
Southern Union offers developmental courses in reading, writing, and
math for students who need additional instruction before they are ready
for college-level work. Beginning students must submit ACT
or SAT scores or take the
COMPASS which evaluates skills in reading, writing, and math. The COMPASS
is not an admissions test. This test is used as a part of the placement
process to determine a student's readiness for college courses. We work
with each student to determine an appropriate course of study which
will offer the greatest chance to succeed.
Southern Union offers a course in developmental
reading, RDG
085 Developmental Reading III. Students placed in RDG
085 will receive individualized
programmed instruction utilizing PLATO Software. PLATO is an integrated
learning system that allows students to assess their specific skill
level in reading. Once the assessment is completed, students are
prescribed
a specific learning path that begins at the weaknesses of the individual
student. The lessons are designed to enhance a student’s learning
and performance. With real-world scenarios and interactive activities,
students will be actively engaged in the process of learning. PLATO
lessons contain tutorials, drills, applications, problem solving
activities,
reviews, practice, and mastery tests. Students will attend class sessions
(just as with any other course) and also may work on the lessons
from
any computer that will access the Internet. Students may exit
the course when they successfully complete the assigned lessons and
tests.
ENG 093 Basic English is a three-hour
course which provides a review of basic grammar and instruction and
practice in writing paragraphs and essays. Instruction focuses on grammar,
punctuation, and sentence structure as well as the composing process
(planning, organizing, writing, and revising).
If you have any questions about courses or requirements
in the developmental program, please contact Lee Ammons:
Telephone: 334-745-6437 ext. 5344
Email: lammons@suscc.edu
Address:
Lee Ammons
Southern Union State Community College
1701 LaFayette Parkway
Opelika, AL 36801
Return to Topics
Placement Policy for Developmental
Courses in Reading and English
Southern Union has an open door admission policy, and
students enter SUSCC with a variety of academic backgrounds Since reading,
writing, and mathematical skills are vital to a successful college experience,
Southern Union offers a variety of courses to provide the necessary
skills for all students. To insure your placement in the appropriate
classes, the placement process provides several ways for you to demonstrate
your readiness for college work. The first step in the placement process
is based on your scores on the COMPASS, ASSET, ACT, or SAT. (Students
who took the ACT ASSET prior to Fall Semester 2000, when the COMPASS
was adopted, may be placed on the basis of their ASSET scores.)
Students whose scores indicate placement in developmental
English are required to register for ENG 093 and
successfully complete the course before they are allowed to register
for ENG 101 English Composition I. Students are
given a second opportunity to demonstrate their skills in the first
class session of ENG 093 through a writing sample.
Final placement is then determined. If the student’s final placement
is determined to be ENG 101, the changes in the
student’s schedule must be made during the regular drop and add
period.
If a student’s Compass score in reading indicates
the need for remediation, the student is required to register for RDG
085. During the first class session(s),
the student will be further tested using the PLATO diagnostic assessment.
The PLATO assessment will result in one of the following:
1. The assessment may confirm the student’s placement in RDG
085.
2. Based on the assessment, the student may test out (exempt) RDG
085.
Any adjustments in placement made on the basis of the PLATO assessment
will take place though the first two days after final registration ends.
The PLATO assessment may take one or more class sessions to complete.
Students are given a second opportunity to demonstrate
their skills in the first class session of the English and reading
courses,
and final placement is then determined. If a student's final placement
requires a change in his/her class schedule, the schedule adjustments
must be
made
during the regular drop and add period.
The final placement process for English and reading
classes for students in academic transfer programs is detailed below.
The process for students who register for technical degree and career
programs may differ.
RDG 085 (DEVELPMENTAL
READING III)
This course is designed to assist students whose placement test scores
indicate serious difficulty with decoding skills, comprehension, vocabulary,
and study skills. Students must make at lease a “C” grade
to exit the course or they will be required to repeat the course. This
is a lab and/or Web-based course.
Return to Topics
COURSE PLACEMENT FOR STUDENTS IN ACADEMIC TRANSFER
AND IN ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE AND APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAMS.
This includes all programs in the academic division
and the following technical and health science degree programs: Associate
Degree Nursing, Licensed Practical Nursing, Emergency Medical Services,
Radiography, Business Management and Supervision, Computer Science,
Drafting and Design Technology, Industrial Electricity/Electronics,
Office Administration.
ENGLISH COURSE PLACEMENT
Students who score 64 or below on the writing skills part of the COMPASS
(42 or below on the ASSET) must register for ENG 093 Basic English.
Students who score 65 or above on the writing skills part of the COMPASS
(43 or above on the ASSET, 20 or above on the ACT-English, or 480 or
above on the SAT-verbal) may register for English Composition 101. During
the first class session of 092 and 101, students will be assigned a
topic for a diagnostic writing sample. The English faculty will evaluate
the writing samples, consider the placement scores, and any indicated
adjustments in student course placement.
Students whose scores indicate placement
in a developmental course in English and/or reading are required to
register for the courses indicated by the test scores.
ENG 093 Basic English 3 (I)
hrs. A course for students who score 64 or below on the writing
skills part of the COMPASS (42 or below on the ASSET) and whose writing
samples reveal deficiencies in the fundamentals of written English expression.
This course includes 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. Students must make a minimum grade of "C" to exit
the course, or they will be required to repeat the course prior to enrolling
in a college level English course.
ENG 101 Composition I 3 hrs.
- A course for students who score 65 or above on the writing skills
part of the COMPASS (43 or above on the ASSET, 20 on the ACT-English,
or 480 on the SAT-verbal) and whose writing samples reveal a mastery
of standard English, punctuation, and mechanics. If a student does not
have a satisfactory score on the English placement test or equivalent,
then the student must achieve a minimum grade of "C" in ENG
092 prior to enrolling in ENG 101. A major writing course, English 101
includes instruction and frequent practice in developing paragraphs
and essays, with emphasis on both the composing process and the final
product. English 101 may include library orientation, research skills,
and critical reading of literature with primary emphasis on composition.
Students must make a minimum grade of "C" to exit the course,
or they will be required to repeat the course.
Return to Topics
READING COURSE PLACEMENT
If your Compass score IN reading indicates the need for remediation,
you will be placed in RDG 085. During
the first class session(s), you will be further tested using the
PLATO
diagnostic assessment. Any adjustments in placement made on the basis
of the PLATO assessment will take place though the first two days
after
final registration ends. Therefore, it is very important that you begin
attending the RDG courses on the first class session. The PLATO assessment
may take one or more class sessions to complete.
The PLATO assessment will result in one of the following:
1. The assessment may confirm your placement in RDG
085.
2. Based on the diagnostic assessment, you may test out (exempt) RDG
085. (The lab instructor will give you a form to take to the
registrar’s
office indicating that you have exempted the reading course requirements.)
Return to Topics
Return to top |
