Keys to Success
Not all students who wish to attend college are equipped with the academic background and study skills needed for a successful college experience. Some students may excel at math and science, but in English and communications they struggle. Other students may have bypassed a college prep course or two in high school and now find they are in need of catching up. Still more students, especially those who have been out of school for awhile, just need to brush up on rusty academic skills.

At one time or another, everybody needs some kind of help; that is why the college offers developmental studies. The courses directly relate to SCC careertechnical and college transfer programs, making it possible for students with skills deficiencies in any academic area to prepare for regular college-level courses and to succeed. In fact, one of the primary missions of the college is to provide life-changing opportunities for all our residents to succeed on the job, at home, and at the college. For many people, developmental studies can offer a second chance at education.

Success Semester
Students who assess into developmental English, mathematics, and reading courses must enroll in the Success Semester.

Concentrating On the Basics
Developmental courses represent a broad spectrum of classes that include the areas of math, reading, writing, and study skills. Each course is designed to help students develop new academic skills or refresh old skills in order to complete an academic major of choice. Some developmental classes are available as individual study units through the Academic and Career Enhancement (ACE) Center while others are taught in the classroom. Before you enroll, your skills will be assessed to assure placement in appropriate course work.

Sometimes, students take developmental courses voluntarily because they realize their skills in one area may not be as sharp as they should be or because they are unsure of their present skill proficiencies. Others take developmental studies at the recommendation of an SCC counselor because their high school transcripts, test scores, and other data concerning past academic achievements indicate a need for further study of basic skills. Selecting courses to match your present level of abilities is a smart way to assure that your first experience at SCC will be a good experience. Developmental studies can make the margin of difference.

Focusing on Your Needs
Through smaller classes and carefully sequenced instruction, you can work through the progression of developmental courses. Because most of these courses award grades of “P” (pass), “R” (repeat), or “F” (fail), the pressure of the usual grading scale is removed and you can concentrate on mastering the basics before moving on to college-level work.

The “R” grade, which is only available in developmental courses, indicates that you are making progress through the course objectives but have not yet achieved the mastery necessary to move to the next level. By re-enrolling in the course, you have another semester to master the course material. Developmental studies courses are distinguished from other courses by prefix codes numbered below 100 and are sequenced according to their level of difficulty. They cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of the associate's degree and they cannot transfer, but they may be used toward a careertechnical certificate if no other course is specified in its curriculum.

Students completing developmental classes are in most cases well prepared for college-level credit courses. Developmental course credits will be computed in credits attempted and credits completed. All courses graded with a pass/repeat/fail grade will not be computed in the GPA.

Study Assistance
Students experiencing difficulties in class should, at the first sign of trouble, go to the Academic and Career Enhancement (ACE) Center for assistance. Help is available on a walk-in and appointment basis in math, foreign languages, reading, several of the sciences, history, and study skills. English assistance is available by appointment. Study groups are formed each semester for several levels of math, biology, anatomy and physiology, and chemistry. The ACE Center provides assistance six days and four nights a week during the fall and spring semesters. During the summer semester, the center is open five days and four evenings per week.

For more information, call 636-922-8444.