PRER 0100 Test Prep & Skill Building-Reading/Writing
CRN 71242 – Semester: Fall 2015
1 hour lecture/lab course / 16 hours per semester / 16 weeks
Class Time: Tuesday 2:00- 3:00 p.m.
SJAC 109 (Lab)
Instructor:
Professor Victoria Washington, M.Ed.
Instructor Contact Information:
v.washington@hccs,edu (713) 718-6711
Office location:
SJAC119 (San Jacinto Bldg)
Please feel free to contact me concerning any problems that you are experiencing in this course. You do not need to wait
until you have received a poor grade before asking for my assistance. Your performance in my class is very important to
me. I am available to hear your concerns and just to discuss course topics. Feel free to come by my office anytime during
these hours.
Course Description
An individualized curriculum for students whose test scores demonstrate high proficiency but do not meet state
requirements for placement into core courses. This course will present a concentrated review of basic Reading and
Vocabulary Skills or Writing and Grammar as indicated.
MyFoundationsLab will be used to create individualized assignments for each student enrolled in the course. Students
enrolled in this course are required to complete this assignment by attending class, working with the instructor/tutor and
by working on the assigned computer modules. The assignments depend on the assessed needs of the student; thus
students will be assigned content appropriate to each student’s individual needs. Each student must agree to accept and
honor his or her particular assignment before the student is enrolled in the course.
Prerequisites
There are no course prerequisites. However, the student should have taken the TSI Assessment prior to enrolling in this
course.
To enroll in PRER 0100, student must score in one of the following requirements:
TSI WS: 2 or 3
TSI Read: 333-341 or 342-346.
Course Goal
PRER aims to give students a head start in basic skill building in reading and writing by providing a targeted review of
basic skills, test preparation, and utilization of learning resources. Students will retake a TSI test after this intervention to
determine proper placement in developmental education.
Learning Objectives:


Students will learn to compound and apply their prior knowledge and newly acquired knowledge to their college
placement test.
 Students will sharpen their critical thinking skills and learn to use logical reasoning to answer standardized test
questions.
● Students will learn how to compose and write thoughtful, interesting essays.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this course will raise their TSI Assessment scores in Reading or Writing.
Instructional Methods
Course assignments will be completed using MyFoundationsLa/My Skills Lab. All assignments in
MyFoundationsLab/My Skills Lab for Reading focus on vocabulary, dictionary skills, main ideas, supporting details,
graphics and visual aids, outlining and mapping, summarizing and paraphrasing, and combined skills. Writing
emphasizes basic grammar, sentence skills, punctuation, mechanics and spelling, usage and style, craft of writing,
paragraph development, and research.
As your Instructor, it is my responsibility to:






Provide the grading scale and detailed grading formula explaining how student grades are to be derived
Facilitate an effective learning environment through class activities, discussions, and lectures
Description of any special projects or assignments
Inform students of policies such as attendance, withdrawal, tardiness and make up
Provide the course outline and class calendar which will include a description of any special projects or
assignments
Arrange to meet with individual students before and after class as required.
To be successful in this class, it is the student’s responsibility to:




Attend class, work diligently on MyFoundationsLab/My Skils Lab modules, and participate in class discussions
and activities
Complete the required assignments and assessments
Ask for help when there is a question or problem
Retake the TSI Assessment (optional) after completing the course.
Program/ Discipline Requirements
In this class you will be required to retake the TSI Assessment Placement Test.
Your grade in this class is based on the following number of hours you complete in MyFoundationsLab/My Skills Lab
computer learning program, TSI Assessment placement score, and advancement to the next level.
Grading Criteria
If you find you are not mastering the material and skills, you are encouraged to reflect on how you are approaching the
assignments and how your instructor/tutor can assist you. Your instructor welcomes a dialogue on what you discover and
may be able to assist you in finding resources on campus that will improve your performance.
*Class attendance and Participation
40%
Completion of MyFoundationsLab/My Skills Lab Module Requirements
- 16 hours to be completed in class
- 70% or better in each section to demonstrate
mastery of Module Activity and Module Test
Total
*Absence Policy
100%
60%
0 Absences = 100
1 Absence = 90
2 Absences = 80
3 or more Absences = 0
Instructional Materials: MyFoundationsLab/My Skills Lab access will be provided to you at no additional charge.
You may also need to bring a notebook, a folder for materials, and a writing utensil to record information provided by
your instructor.
Class Calendar
(Scheduled Activities or Materials Subject to Change by Instructor)
All course assignments will be completed using MyFoundationsLab/My skills Lab. A professor/tutor will be
available during lab hours to assist you with your work. Reading/Writing placement tests focus on items that
assess your reading comprehension and writing abilities through referring and reasoning/inference items,
usage/mechanics items and rhetorical skill items. The materials you complete in this course will address the
aforementioned areas.
Assignments and feedback on your progress will be in the online system MyFoundationsLab/My Skills Lab. A
result of
70% or better in each section would demonstrate Mastery of the Module Activity and Module Tests.
It is your responsibility to successfully complete and master each section of the modules.
Tuesday - Meet in 109(Lab) Technology Assistance (713) 718-8800
Week One
-Orientation
-Diagnostic Assessment (TSI Test Results)
-Enrollment in MyFoundationsLabMy skills Lab - Student ID Number Required for Login and Password - Bring
own headphone
-Individualized Assignment
Week Two
-Report to SJAC 109 during assigned hours
-Continue working on individualized assignment
-Seek assistance as needed
Week Three
-Report to SJAC109 during assigned hours
-Continue working on individualized assignment
-Seek assistance as needed
Week Four
-Report to SJAC109 during assigned hours
-Continue working on individualized assignment
-Seek assistance as needed
Week Five
-Report to SJAC109 during assigned hours
-Continue working on individualized assignment
-Seek assistance as needed
Week Six
-Report to SJAC109 during assigned hours
-Continue working on individualized assignment
-Seek assistance as needed
Week Seven
-Report to SJAC109during assigned hours
-Continue working on individualized assignment
-Seek assistance as needed
Week Eight
-Report to SJAC109 during assigned hours
-Continue working on individualized assignment
-Seek assistance as needed
Week Nine
-Report to SJAC109 during assigned hours
-Continue working on individualized assignment
-Seek assistance as needed
Week Ten
-Report to SJAC109 during assigned hours
-Continue working on individualized assignment
-Seek assistance as needed
Friday, October 30th Last Day for Student or Administrative Withdrawal “W”
Week Eleven
-Report to SJAC109 during assigned hours
-Continue working on individualized assignment
-Seek assistance as needed
Week Twelve
-Report to SJAC109 during assigned hours
-Continue working on individualized assignment
-Seek assistance as needed
Week Thirteen
-Report to SJAC109 during assigned hours
-Continue working on individualized assignment
-Seek assistance as needed
Week Fourteen
-Report to SJAC109 during assigned hours
-Continue working on individualized assignment
-Seek assistance as needed
Week Fifteen
-Report to SJAC109 during assigned hours
-Continue working on individualized assignment
-Optional: Retake TSI Assessment for Reading ($10) and Writing ($10)
-Seek assistance as needed
-Last week of instruction
Week Sixteen
-Final Exam Week
Report to SJAC 109 at 1:30p
Final Assessment
Withdrawal: Students with excessive absences or fail to complete the work their individualized assignment in accordance
with their agreement, will be withdrawn.
Personal Communication Device Policy: All personal communication devices (any device with communication
capabilities including but not limited to cell phones, blackberries, pagers, cameras, palmtop computers, lap tops, PDA's,
radios, headsets, portable fax machines, recorders, organizers, databanks, and electronic dictionaries or translators) must
be muted or turned off during class. Such activity during class time is deemed to be disruptive to the academic process.
Personal communication devices are to not be on the student desk.
ADA Policy: Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the respective college at the
beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support
Services Office.
Please visit the ADA Website – www.hccs.edu, then click on Future Students, scroll down the page and click on
Disability Information:
Central ADA Counselors – 713.718.6165 Jette Lott
Northwest ADA Counselor – 713.718.5422
Southwest ADA Counselor – 713.718.7910
Northeast ADA Counselor – 713.718.8420
Southeast ADA Counselor – 713.718.7218
Coleman ADA Counselor – 713.718.7631
HCC Policy Statements
Access Student Services Policies on their website:
http://hccs.edu/student-rights
Access Distance Education Policies on their website:
http://de.hccs.edu/de/de-student-handbook
Access Continuing Education Policies on their Website:
http://www.hccs.edu/CE-student-guidelines
Access Students Rights, Policies, and Procedures
http://www.hccs.edu/hccs/current-students/student-rights-policies-procedures
HCC is committed to provide a learning and working environment that is free from discrimination on the basis of sex
which includes all forms of sexual misconduct. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 requires that when a
complaint is filed, a prompt and thorough investigation is initiated. Complaints may be filed with the HCC Title IX
Coordinator available at 713 718-8271 or email at oie@hccs.edu
EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve teaching and
learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of research-based questions related
to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and division chairs for
continual improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System
online near the end of the term.
Additional Information
♦Display respect and courtesy for the instructor and fellow classmates during class session. Disruptive behavior
and poor attitude may result in a student being asked to leave the class for the day. If you are asked to leave, he or
she will be marked absent for the class session.
♦Only students officially enrolled in HCC courses are to be in campus classrooms. HCC Administration request
no minors on campus, food or drinks in the classroom.
♦HCCS policy requires withdrawal after 12.5% (2 hours) of the total instructional hours missed. <<<Students will
be withdrawn after their third absence.>>> You will receive a “W.” Students are responsible for lecture notes or
assignments if absent. 5 tardies (15 minutes or more) count as one absence. If a student exceeds the 2 absence limit after
the official day of withdrawal, Friday, October 31, the student will receive a FINAL grade of “FX” for excessive
absences. If you have financial aid, your funding may be affected.
♦Cellular phones and pagers create annoying and unnecessary interruptions during class. Please switch them to
vibrate. No laptops will be used during class sessions unless agreed upon by the instructor. Also, no text
messaging or listening to mp3 players will be permitted.
♦To pass this course, you must earn an overall course average of 70 or above.
Students in PRER 0100 classes will earn a letter grade of A, B, C, F, FX, or IP*. IP means "in progress.” Students
complete the course but have not demonstrated mastery of the topics. *However, if a student already earned an
IP in this course during a previous semester, the student will earn a letter grade of A, B, C, or F this semester.
CENTRAL COLLEGE
PREP 0100 - Test Prep and Skill Building-Reading/Writing
CRN 71242 – Term Fall 2015
1 hour lecture/lab course / 16 in class hours / 16 weeks
Class Time: Tuesday 2:00 – 3:00p.m Location: SJAC109
LEARNING CONTRACT BETWEEN
_______________________
___
(Student – Print Name)
(Student ID)
and Houston Community College
Your Phone: ________________________ Your Email: _________
___________________
Instructor of Record: Professor Victoria Washington
Student Responsibilities:
1. Orientation: All students must attend the orientation session which is held on the first day.
2. TSI Placement Results: The results of each student’s TSI Placement Results must be provided to the
course instructors, who will use these results to determine the area of study: Reading or Writing
3. MyFoundationsLab/My skills Lab: Each student will be enrolled in MyFoundationsLab/My skills Lab
during the first week of class.
4. Diagnostic Pretest: Once the area(s) of study have been identified, the student must create their
individualized learning path by completing the appropriate Path Builder Exam.
5. Time Requirement: Students are required to attend the open lab for a minimum of 16 in class hours
during the 16 week-long class.
6. If enrolled in both PRER 0100 and INRW 0410, you must successfully complete and pass both
courses to enroll in INRW 0420. If these requirements are not met, you must retake INRW 0410.
7. Optional: Retake the TSI Assessment for Reading ($10) and Writing ($10) to place out of INRW
0410. Go to Enrollment Services, 2nd fl LHSB for information.
Student Signature
Date
Faculty Signature
Date