PRER 0300- Test Prep & Skill Building-Reading/Writing
CRN 49200 – Semester Spring 2015
3 hour lecture/lab course / 8 weeks
Class Time: mowe:1:00pm-2:00pm Location: Alief-Hayes Rm B137
Instructor: Dr. dino sandifer
Instructor Contact Information: Email: dino.sandifer@hccs.edu
Phone: 713-718-5211
Office location and hours: Office location: 601G
Office hours: after class 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 (hccs.mylabsplus.com) 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 COMPASS scores in one of the indicated
ranges:
COMPASS READING PLACEMENT
Cut Scores for Developmental Reading
(Including PRER 0300)
Developmental Course
Compass
READ: 1-39
GUST 0339
READ: 40-45
PRER 0200
READ: 46-54
GUST 0341
READ: 55-60
PRER 0200
PRER 0200
READ: 61-74
READ: 75-80
READ: 81-100
GUST 0342
PRER 0300
College level Reading
COMPASS WRITING PLACEMENT
Cut Scores for Developmental Writing
(Including PRER 0200)
Developmental Course
Compass
WRITE: 1-100 no WS
ENGL 0300
1-100 WS 1-2
1-58
WS 1-3
1-44
WS 4-5
WRITE: 59-100 WS 3
PRER 0300
45-58 WS 4-5
WRITE: 59-100 WS 4
ENGL 0310
WRITE: 59-100 WS 5
PRER 0300
BOTH
WS 6-8 ENGL 1301
READ: 81-100
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.
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 with 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.
PRER 0200
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.
Seek assistance from your professor/tutor as needed.
Week Five
Report to the lab during the lab hours.
Continue working on your individualized assignment.
Seek assistance from your professor/tutor as needed.
Week Six
Report to the lab during the lab hours.
Continue working on your individualized assignment.
Seek assistance from your professor/tutor as needed.
Week Seven
Report to the lab during the lab hours.
Continue working on your individualized assignment.
Seek assistance from your professor/tutor as needed.
Week Eight
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.
Take the Final Diagnostic Exam.
Register for your next course.
Instructional Methods
All students must arrive at 9 a.m. on the first day of class for the course orientation and must
bring a copy of their TSI/COMPASS 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 TSI/COMPASS 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
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
PRER 0200
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 required contact hours in the lab and a
final test “score” that verifies their ability to move to the next higher level. If a student fails to
complete the required 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
 Take the Final Diagnostic 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
PREP 0200- Test Prep and Skill Building-Reading/Writing
CRN (Insert) – Term (Insert)
2 hour lecture/lab course / 32 hours per semester/ 4 weeks
Class Time: (Insert) Location: (Insert)
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