RC CATALOG2015

237

Special Areas of Study

2015-2016 Catalog

Developmental Education

Programs/Basic Skills

Purpose

The Developmental Education Program is designed to

prepare students for degree credit instruction. The program

is recommended for students who are assessed as not meeting

the skills requisites for Math 201 or English 125 or 126. It is

not recommended for students who are learning English as a

second language or who have identified learning disabilities.

Courses in this program are numbered 200-299.

Initial placement into the Developmental Education Program

depends upon English and mathematics placement assessment

results. Other courses in the program are then recommended

according to student needs and interests.

The English and math placement assessment process is

administered by the Assessment Center. Call 638-0300 ext.

3366 for dates and times.

Description

There are five kinds of courses in the program to prepare

students for college-level instruction:

1. English written expression

2. Reading

3. Mathematics

4. Exploratory courses which reinforce reading

and writing skill development

5. Other courses that help students learn

successfully.

There are two levels of instruction in both the reading and

writing areas, a basic level and an improvement level. The

particular courses a student takes depend upon the individual’s

needs as revealed in the college’s assessment process. English

130 or 252 or English as a Second Language 225W may be

used to establish eligibility for English 125, while English 262

or English as Second Language 226R may be used to establish

eligibility for English 126.

Credits/Units

Course credits earned in the program do not count for the

associate degree but do count for determining full- or part-

time student status (i.e., workload credit).

English as a Second Language (ESL)

The ESL program is designed for students whose native

language is not English. The program assists students to

acquire the necessary English language skills to succeed in

AA/AS degree programs, vocational programs and university

transfer courses offered at Reedley College.

Placement

Initial placement in ESL course offerings is the result of

language testing and other criteria. This test is administered

by the Assessment Center at the same time as the English

Placement Test. Please call 638-0300, ext. 3366 for dates

and times.

Assessment

It is highly recommended that students planning to take an

English class, a math class or a class that has an English or

math prerequisite take an English/math placement test prior

to registration if they have not met the class prerequisite by

other means. This test is administered through the Assessment

Center.

A schedule of testing times and dates is established at the

beginning of each month. Please contact the Assessment

Center at 638-0300, ext. 3366 for dates, times and locations.

Test scores are used for counseling purposes and to assist with

correctly advising students’ class placement. These tests are

not entrance examinations, and the results will not prevent

any prospective student from admission to the college or from

enrolling in any course. If possible, the placement tests should

be completed well before registering for classes so that courses

can be approved by a counselor on the registration form.

After a student takes the placement test, the student will

discuss the test results and answers to the assessment survey

with a counselor. If the student thinks the student may discuss

this with the counselor. A student may decide to retake the

test or make a course selection based on the total assessment

with the counselor.

pecial

reas of

tudy