Posted 6/2009
Palm Beach Community College provides a complete program for students to build their skills for success, whether they are entering from high school or are starting or resuming their college career later in life. College readiness courses in reading, English, mathematics and success skills prepare students for college-level courses. These courses are scheduled like regular college classes and are taught by professionals in developmental education.
Any student may enroll in these classes; however, they are designed especially for students whose placement scores on the Florida College Entry Level Placement Test (FCELPT) indicate they need some additional skills to be successful in college-level courses in reading, English and mathematics. Academic advisors at PBCC work with these students to design a college readiness plan to help them prepare for college-level work.
The FCELPT placement scores indicate whether a student is required to enroll in this program. The placement test scores table and Florida statute requirements for college readiness are listed in the Admissions section of this catalog.
College Readiness Areas
The College Readiness program is tailored to each individual student's needs. Each college readiness area has two or three courses; the number of courses the student needs to take depends on his/her placement scores on the FCELPT.
The College Readiness Program is designed for students at all levels of readiness in reading, English and mathematics. For those whose primary language is not English, the program offers English for Academic Purposes foundation courses.
College readiness courses for students whose primary language is English:
College readiness courses for students whose primary language is NOT English:
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Intermediate Reading, High Intermediate Reading, Advanced Reading (EAP 0420, EAP 1520 and EAP 1620)
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Intermediate Grammar, High Intermediate English, Advanced English (EAP 0460, EAP 1584 and EAP 1684)
For all college readiness students:
A key course in the College Readiness program is SLS 1501, Strategies for College Success. This course teaches study and test-taking skills and time management, and students explore their own learning styles. Many students find the skills they learned in this course to be very valuable to their success in all of their PBCC courses.
College Readiness Support
In addition to the courses in the College Readiness program, PBCC has a complete support network for college readiness students. Student Services provides academic advising for college readiness students to help in course selection and educational planning.
Success Tips for College Readiness Students
Students required to take college readiness courses should start them during their first term at PBCC.
Take the courses in a sequence - for example, take College Readiness Algebra II as soon as you successfully complete College Readiness Algebra I. Students who wait a semester or two to take the next level may forget many of the newly learned skills.
Once the college readiness courses are completed, take the required college-level courses in English (ENC 1101) and mathematics (MAT 1033) as soon as possible to apply the new skills in a college-level course.
English for Academic Purposes Foundation
PBCC offers this program for non-native English speaking students who have been placed into this level, prior to taking college readiness courses. The foundation program includes three courses in reading and writing, grammar, and listening and speaking. These courses combine lecture and lab components to meet the specific needs of non-native English speakers. Academic support is provided through tutoring, audio and video technology and interactive computer software in the Student Learning Center/Vocational Preparatory Instruction Lab (SLC/VPI) at each location. Students must successfully complete all three foundation classes before registering for any other classes at the College.
Student Learning Center
The Student Learning Center (SLC) at each PBCC location provides services for all PBCC students. The SLC is a highly supportive environment where students can receive additional help through tutoring, individualized instruction and Supplemental Instruction (SI). The SLC staff consists of trained professionals dedicated to supporting all students at PBCC.
The SLC is equipped with computer software and other learning tools to support many credit and college readiness courses at PBCC. Review materials for standardized tests such as the College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) and Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) are available. The SLC also provides Vocational Preparatory Instruction (VPI) for students in career certificate programs who need additional skills to pass the TABE test. For information about the SLC, such as hours of operation, please visit www.pbcc.edu/slc.xml .
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