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POLICY 03:13:00

LEARNING SUPPORT PROGRAM

Purpose

This policy reflects Pellissippi State’s commitment to enhancing access to and success in post-secondary education for all students. The policy presents the parameters for the delivery of academic support made available for students who may require additional assistance for developing competency in reading, writing, and/or math needed for success in college level courses.

Definitions

  • Learning Support is the academic support needed by a student to be successful in college level general education courses and/or to meet minimum reading, writing, and mathematics competencies as required by faculty in programs that do not require general educations courses in reading, writing and/or mathematics. The purpose of Learning Support is to enhance academic success in college level courses and increase the likelihood of program completion that will prepare students for career success in their chosen field of study.
  • Co-Requisite Learning Support is the linking of Learning Support courses or experiences, with an appropriate college level course that is required in the student’s chosen field of study, so that the student is enrolled concurrently in both Learning Support and appropriate college level courses that are applicable to the student’s academic pathway.
  • Valid Assessment Scores are those recognized from sources approved by the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs at the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) and that are no more than five years old prior to the first day of class for the student’s entering term.

Policy

As outlined in TBR policy 2.03.00.02, Pellissippi State provides academic support, known as Learning Support, using the framework provided in the “Fundamental Features of Co-Requisite Remediation.”

  • The delivery of Learning Support must be in accordance with the procedures specified below.
  • Exceptions to this policy or procedure must be approved in writing by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Procedures

  1. Assessment and Placement
    1. Students who do not present valid ACT, SAT, or other approved valid assessment scores that demonstrate college readiness based upon established cut scores or other documentation to the contrary will be placed into the appropriate co-requisite learning support course(s) or interventions for reading, writing, and/or mathematics as defined by the academic program requirements.
    2. Students with transferable college-level courses may be exempt from the corresponding co-requisite Learning Support course(s) or completing assessments.
    3. Academic programs that do not require specific college level courses, i.e., in math, English, or reading intensive courses used for placement, may have faculty-prescribed Learning Support courses established as prerequisites/co- requisites specific to the degree program or certificate if deemed necessary for workforce readiness in the field of study.
    4. The College will offer assessment(s) to allow students to challenge placement into co-requisite Learning Support if they have not met established criteria.
      1. The challenge assessment will be a TBR approved nationally normed, standardized assessment that will be identified in the Catalog.
      2. In addition to this assessment, the College may choose to require a writing sample for placement in ENGL 1010.
      3. Students may not challenge placement into Learning Support courses once classes have begun.
    5. Degree Seeking Students: Degree seeking students, either first-time or transfer, entering without valid assessment scores, or transferable college level credit, will be enrolled into the appropriate subject area co-requisite Learning Support course along with the paired college level course or may be given the option of challenge testing to place into college level courses without Learning Support.
    6. Special Students: Non-Degree Seeking/Certificate Programs
      1. Non-degree seeking students entering without transferable college- level courses will be subject to the same placement standards and procedure prior to enrollment in college level general education courses that are subject to Learning Support criteria. Students who transfer in credit for any college level course will be exempt from placement into a reading course.
      2. Students who change to degree-seeking status will be assessed under guidelines for degree seeking students.
      3. For students desiring to take one or more courses for personal or professional development, placement into Learning Support courses may be waived by the academic dean of the department in which the course resides.
  2. Parameters
    1. Learning Support Framework
      1. Pellissippi State’s co-requisite reading, writing, and math courses adhere to the plan established by TBR’s Fundamental Features of CoRequisite Remediation document (linked above).
      2. Learning Support courses are provided concurrently with required college level courses in order to allow students the opportunity to gain college level credits in their first semester of enrollment at the College.
      3. The Learning Support course must address the competencies determined to be appropriate for college readiness:
        Learning Support in Mathematics
        Learning Support in Reading
        Learning Support in Writing The Student learning outcomes should also be aligned with those in the linked college level course in order to facilitate its successful completion.
      4. Credit hours assigned to a Learning Support course may not exceed 3 semester credit hours with a total of no more than 9 semester credit hours in all three subject areas combined. If a student changes to a program that requires an algebra-based math, additional Learning Support may be applicable.
    2. Student Records
      1. Students will demonstrate mastery of the defined Learning Support competencies at a level comparable to a passing grade.
      2. Successful completion of a student’s Learning Support requirements will be recorded on the student’s academic record with or without the assignment of standard grades. Pass/Fail may be used in lieu of assigned grades.

 

Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, January 25, 2021
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., January 25, 2021