Prerequisite Implementation
The College is preparing to implement required prerequisites (reading, writing, and math) for General Education courses. In the spring of 2005, the college's Educational Advisory Council passed--after a year of study and dialogue with the college community--a prerequisite recommendation which was then signed by the president. PCC research and national studies demonstrate a clear correlation between student preparation in basic skills and student success at the college level.
These prerequisites will be satisfied by:
- a “C” or higher grade in WR 115, or reading and writing placement scores for WR 121,
- a “C” or higher grade in RD 115, or college-level reading skills demonstrated by an ASSET reading score of at least 45 (or a Compass score of 88), and
- a “C” or higher grade in MTH 20 or placement into MTH 60.
In order to reduce barriers for casual students who may have the prerequisite skills, but who may not want to go through our testing procedures, more pronounced language will be included in the Schedule of Classes and PCC Catalogue emphasizing the “instructor permission” option. Students who already possess an accredited degree beyond high school will also have these requirements waived.
SACs may petition to opt out of some or all of these prerequisites for all or part of their affected courses, showing sufficient cause why such a waiver should be granted. However, the reading, writing and math levels listed above are seen as minimums needed to successfully achieve these college-level outcomes in general education transfer courses that are based upon college-level materials.
If your SAC is considering 'opting out' of a reading, writing, or math pre-requisite for one or more courses in you discipline, please avail yourself of resources which are available to help you make an informed decision.
- Review the CCOGs for Writing 115, Reading 115, and Math 20. These can be found through the following link: http://www.pcc.edu/edserv/curr/inventory/index.htm.
- Invite a reading/writing, math, or ESOL colleague to provide information to you about DE and ESOL students and curriculum. Faculty 'consultants' who are prepared for this purpose are: DE RD and WR faculty - Heather Ann Larimer and Mary Lane Stevens (hlarimer@pcc.edu, mstevens@pcc.edu); ESOL faculty - John Sparks and Cynthia Thornburgh (jsparks@pcc.edu, cthornbu@pcc.edu); DE Math - Kathy Bernunzio and Dorothy M Polson (kbernunz@pcc.edu, dpolson@pcc.edu).
- Consider find out more about the reading level of your texts. A computer program is available that will evaluate passages of text for the reading level. For information on how to access this program, contact Mary Lane Stevens (mstevens@pcc.edu) or Cecelia Guinee (cguinee@pcc.edu).
- Attend a Pre-requisite Policy Overview session in your TLC, scheduled for: need the dates, or a link to that information.