PRER 0200- Test Prep & Skill Building-Reading/Writing
CRN-16885– Semester: Summer 2014
2 hour lecture/lab course / 32 hours per semester/ 5 weeks
Class Time: 10a-12p Location: Spring Branch, Northwest
Instructor: Sandra Flowers
Instructor Contact Information: Email:Sandra.Flowers@hccs.edu
Phone: 713-718-5211
Office location and hours: Office location: 610 G
Office hours: By appointment
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
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
To enroll in PRER classes, students must possess Testing cores in one of the indicated ranges:
http://imc02.hccs.edu/gcac/scores.htm#TSIA
You must attend the first Monday morning to receive your syllabus and schedule.
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.
PRER 0200
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.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this course will raise their COMPASS placement scores in
reading/ writing.
Class Calendar
Week One
Report to class by 9:00 am with Compass placement exam scores.
Receive orientation to the course from your professor.
Complete the diagnostic assessment.
Receive your individualized assignment.
Week Two
Report to the lab during your lab hours.
Continue working on your individualized assignment.
Seek assistance from your professor/tutor as needed.
Week Three
Report to the lab during the lab hours.
Continue working on your individualized assignment.
Seek assistance from your professor/tutor as needed.
Week Four
Report to the lab during the lab hours.
Continue working on your individualized assignment until 32 hours have been recorded.
Seek assistance from your professor/tutor as needed.
Retake the necessary portions of the COMPASS placement exam.
Register for your next course.
Instructional Methods
All students must arrive on the first day of class for the course orientation and must bring a copy
of their TSI testing results with them. All course assignments will be completed using
MyFoundationsLab. A professor/ tutor will be available during lab hours to assist you with your
work. The COMPASS 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.
Withdrawal
PRER 0200
Students who do not work on their individualized assignment in accordance with their
agreement, will be withdrawn from the course.
Student Assignments
Assignments have been developed that will enhance your learning. You will be required to
successfully complete these assignments in your online system.
Student Assessments
Knowledge checks will occur in the format of quizzes, assignments, papers, and the COMPASS
Placement Test.
Instructor Requirements
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 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 COMPASS placement exam after completing the course
Program/ Discipline Requirements
In this class you will be required to retake the COMPASS Placement Test.
HCC Grading Scale
A = 100 – 90:……………………………………4 points per semester hour
B = 89 – 80: …………………………………….3 points per semester hour
C = 79 – 70: …………………………………….2 points per semester hour
D = 69 – 60: …………………………………….1 point per semester hour
59 and below = F………………………………..0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) …………………………………0 points per semester hour
W(Withdrawn)…………………………………..0 points per semester hour
I (Incomplete)……………………………………0 points per semester hour
AUD (Audit) …………………………………...0 points per semester hour
PRER 0200
IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student must re-enroll to
receive credit. COM (Completed) is given in non-credit and continuing education courses. To
compute grade point average (GPA), divide the total grade points by the total number of
semester hours attempted. The grades “IP,” “COM” and “I” do not affect GPA.
Grading Criteria
HCC will give students grades of “A” for completion of 32 contact hours in the lab and a final
test “score” (on either COMPASS or MyLabsPlus) that verifies their ability to move to the next
higher level. If a student fails to complete the 32 contact hours OR fails to score at the next
higher level, the student will be given a grade of “IP” (in progress). 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. You will know you have met the requirements when you have:
 completed 32 hours in MyFoundationsLab
 attended class daily
 retaken the COMPASS Placement Test and have scored at the next level
Instructional Materials: My Foundations Lab access will be provided to you at no additional
charge. You may also need to bring a notebook and writing utensil to record information
provided by your instructor/tutor.
HCC Policy Statements
Access Student Services Policies on their Web site:
http://hccs.edu/student-rights
Access DE Policies on their Web site:
All students are responsible for reading and understanding the DE Student Handbook, which
contains policies, information about conduct, and other important information. For the DE
Student Handbook click on the link below or go to the DE page on the HCC website.
The Distance Education Student Handbook contains policies and procedures unique to the DE
student. Students should have reviewed the handbook as part of the mandatory orientation. It is
the student's responsibility to be familiar with the handbook's contents. The handbook contains
valuable information, answers, and resources, such as DE contacts, policies and procedures (how
to drop, attendance requirements, etc.), student services (ADA, financial aid, degree planning,
etc.), course information, testing procedures, technical support, and academic calendars. Refer to
the DE Student Handbook by visiting this link:
http://de.hccs.edu/de/de-student-handbook
Access CE Policies on their Web site:
http://hccs.edu/CE-student-guidelines
PRER 0200
PRER 0200
PREP 0200- Test Prep and Skill Building-Reading/Writing
CRN-16885; Term: Summer 2014
2 hour lecture/lab course / 32 hours per semester/ 4 weeks
Class Time:10-a-12p Location: Spring Branch, Northwest
LEARNING CONTRACT BETWEEN:
__________________________
(Student)
& Houston Community College
Professor _______________________________________________________
Campus Location:_______________________________________________________________
Phone: ___________________ Email: _____________________
Student Responsibilities:
1. Orientation: All students must attend the orientation session which is held on the first
day.
2. Previous COMPASS Placement Results: The results of each student’s COMPASS
Placement Results must be provided to the course instructors, who will use these results
to determine the area of study: Reading, Writing, and or Math.
3. MyFoundationsLab: Each student will be enrolled in MyFoundationsLab during the
first class period.
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 32
hours during the 4 week-long class. Although time is tracked in MyFoundationsLab,
students should sign in each time they enter the open lab and sign out each time they
leave.
Upon successful completion of each of these Student Responsibilities, the student will
receive a certificate of completion which allows them to retake the COMPASS College
Placement Exam.
_________________________________________ ___________________________
Faculty Signature
Date
_________________________________________ ___________________________
Student
Date