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College Readiness Coursework

BCC offers College Readiness Coursework (transition and co-requisite support courses) that gives students an opportunity to improve their skills in reading, writing, and/or mathematics. Transition English and math courses are semesterlong courses designed to build knowledge and confidence for students who are entering college after years away from school or students who need to enhance math and English skills necessary for successful completion of college-level (curriculum) coursework. Students complete Transition course curriculum at their own pace and are offered a high level of instructor support as they master course material.

Co-requisite English and math support courses are semester-long courses and are completed at the same time a student is completing their gateway (first year) English and/or math classes. Co-requisite English and/or math courses are designed to assist students in the skills and strategies necessary to be successful in the gateway courses. There is little to no outside homework assigned in the co-requisite courses, so regular attendance and active participation in the course are required. Students are enrolled in Transition and/or corequisite courses based on multiple criteria which indicate proficiency in English, reading, and mathematics, including high school GPA, standardized test scores (ACT, SAT, GED), and/or assessment inventory scores. Students may be exempt from Transition and co-requisite support coursework based on the multiple criteria mentioned above. In some circumstances, students can choose to take Transition or co-requisite support courses if they believe that enrollment in these courses will prepare them to be successful in curriculum English and math courses. An academic advisor or success coach will work with a student to review the best options to assure student success.

Progressing Through Transition and/or Co-requisite Support Coursework

Students must earn a “P” (Pass) to successfully complete Transition English and math courses. Both Transition English and Transition Math have multiple “tiers” of coursework; students’ program of study will indicate how much of the coursework the student needs to complete. In Transition English, students can receive a P1 or P2. In Transition math, a student can receive a P1, P2 or P3. Once a student enrolls in the course, the instructor will create a customized plan for the student to help him or her achieve the necessary passing score. If a student does not complete the minimum required coursework in a single semester, the student receives an “R” (Repeat) and must repeat the course until a grade of “P” (Pass) is earned. Depending on the student’s progress in the Transition course, a student may move from the Transition course directly into a gateway English or math course. In some instances, the student may be required to take the co-requisite support course concurrently with that gateway course. Transition English and math courses do not count against students’ GPAs, nor is there a limit on the number of times students may repeat a Transition course. In co-requisite English and math courses, grades are Pass/Fail. Importantly, students must stay enrolled and attend both the gateway English and/or math course(s) as well as the support course(s). If a student stops attending or withdraws from either course, he/she must also withdraw from the co-requisite course and retake both courses. In general, students who make a “C” or better in the gateway course and attend and participate in their support courses will also pass the support course. If a student is not successful in the gateway English and/or math course, it is likely that the student will need to re-enroll in both courses.

Note: Federal regulations stipulate that financial aid may only be used to pay for the first 30 credit hours attempted in Transition and college readiness coursework.

Course Offering Methods

Most Transition and co-requisite courses are offered every term, and classes usually meet in face-to-face or blended (face-to-face classes with online labs and activities) formats. Classes are small, allowing instructors time to give students individual assistance. Because much of the instruction in Transition and co-requisite courses happens during class time, it is critical that students are attending and actively participating in class.

Transition and Co-Requisite English

BCC offers two courses to specifically address and refine reading and writing skills.

ENG-002 Transition English

ENG-011 Writing and Inquiry Support Students who place into ENG-002 will be required to complete the course with a passing grade before being permitted to enroll in curriculum English courses. For detailed information about the content of each course, see the Course Description section of this catalog.

Transition and Co-Requisite Math

BCC offers four courses to address and refine various mathematical skill sets necessary for success in curriculum mathematics courses.

MAT-003 Transition Math

MAT-043 Quantitative Literacy Support

MAT-052 Statistical Methods Support

MAT-071 Pre-calculus Algebra Support Students who place in MAT-003 will be required to complete the course with a passing grade before being permitted to enroll in the curriculum math course needed for their program of study. For detailed information about the content of each course, see the Course Description section of this catalog.

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