Parent's Guide
What is the Developmental Studies Program?
The Developmental Studies Program (DSP) began in Tennessee colleges in the 1980's as a state-wide response to student need. Many students were enrolling in college, but they were not passing their college classes. Tennessee is a leader in the nation in developing standards for students to meet in order to be successful in college.
Jackson State is part of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), the governing body that includes all 26 of the state's technical centers, all 13 of the state's community colleges, and 6 universities. TBR is the nation's sixth largest higher education system and does not include universities affiliated with the University of Tennessee system.
Developmental Studies Programs were begun to provide students with the necessary skills and content to succeed in their college career. Having a high school diploma does not necessarily mean that students are ready for college.
What are the differences between high school and college?
There are many differences between college and high school. The following list is adapted from the Advocacy Consortium for College Students.
Academic Environment in College:
- More use of the lecture method.
- Independent reading expected.
- Classes meet less often and for fewer hours, so student are expected to do more study time outside class.
- Using the library effectively is more important.
- Students are responsible for what they learned in high school.
- Professors spend less time on repetition. Information is given once and then the professor moves to the next topic.
- More emphasis on understanding theory instead of memorizing facts.
Grading
- Harder work is required for an A or B; C is an average grade.
- Semester grades may be based on just two or three test scores or a major outside project.
- Essay exams are more common and exam questions may be more difficult to predict.
- More major writing assignments.
Knowledge Acquisition
- Comprehension skills are more important.
- Taking good notes in important.
- Being able to identify main ideas are more important.
- Effective communication skills are more important.
- Students are responsible for monitoring their own progress and are responsible for recognizing the need for getting additional help.
- Paying attention in class is more important.
- Studying is more important.
Support
- Students must be independent and responsible for seeking assistance.
- Professors have office hours to meet with students, but students must take the initiative to contact the faculty.
- The Academic Assistance Center, Writing Lab, Math Lab, and Reading Lab all offer free help, but students must have the time to take advantage of the help.
- More academic competition.
- Behavior problems are not tolerated.
Stress
- Increased work load and much faster pace.
- Students are more independent and are accountable for their behavior.
- It is more difficult to earn high grades.
- An entire course is completed in 15 weeks or less.
- Students are expected to know what they want from college.
Responsibility
- Increased number of choices and decisions.
- More self-evaluation, accepting of responsibility.
- More independent reading and studying are required.
- Students are responsible for time management.
- Students establish and attain their own goals.
- Students must be motivated to succeed.
Who takes Developmental Classes?
Students at Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) schools must make a 19 or above on ACT subscores in English, reading, and math to be able to take college-level classes.
| Basic | Developmental | College-Level | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing | 14 and below | 15-18 | 19 or above |
| Reading | 11 and below | 12-18 | 19 or above |
| Basic Math | Elementary Alg | Intermediate Alg | College-Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 and below | 15-16 | 7-18 | 19 or above |
Learning Strategies
Any student who is placed into two or the three areas above, will be required to take a Learning Strategies class that includes both college orientation and study skills.
Will I be notified of my son or daughter's grades?
The Developmental Studies Program (DSP) began in Tennessee colleges in the 1980's as a state-wide response to student need. Many students were enrolling in college, but they were not passing their college classes. Tennessee is a leader in the nation in developing standards for students to meet in order to be successful in college.
Jackson State is part of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), the governing body that includes all 26 of the state's technical centers, all 13 of the state's community colleges, and 6 universities. TBR is the nation's sixth largest higher education system and does not include universities affiliated with the University of Tennessee system.
Developmental Studies Programs were begun to provide students with the necessary skills and content to succeed in their college career. Having a high school diploma does not necessarily mean that students are ready for college.
Will my son or daughter receive college credit for developmental classes?
No, these courses are considered pre-college credits. They will transfer between other Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) schools, and they are used to determine eligibility for financial aid and athletics. They do not meet degree requirements. These classes are required for most college-level classes.
If my son or daughter has to take developmental classes does that mean he or she cannot take any college-level classes at all?
Faculty determine what developmental classes are prerequisites of their courses. For example, college-level math cannot be taken before the developmental math class is completed, and reading is required for most college-level classes. There are some college classes students may take while they are enrolled in developmental classes. Advisors will help students determine what college-level classes they can take.
What if my son or daughter wants to take the ACT again to try to improve his or her scores?
If your son or daughter wants to re-take the ACT, Jackson State will use the highest score he or she made in each subject test for placement purposes.
What if my son or daughter just does not test well?
Frequently students do better in a class situation than on a stressful timed test. However, students will be expected to take timed tests in their college classes, so they must be able to perform under stressful testing situations.
Jackson State provides a Challenge Day before each semester to allow students to challenge their ACT placement. Students who have not made a grade in the class they are challenging (including a progress grade or a withdrawal grade) may take reading, writing, or math tests. Students who have attempted a class and have received a grade must re-take the class to replace the grade.
Challenge Day costs $20.00 and students should register with the Assessment Center at 424-3520 ext 479 and pay their fee in the Business Office a week in advance of the test. Test dates are published in the college catalog. Students must bring a picture ID to the test.
What is the difference between the Challenge Tests and the ACT?
Jackson State uses different tests for Challenge Day. For reading and math, we use the ACT/COMPASS test, which is untimed and computerized. Students may not bring their own calculator to the testing room, but there is a simple calculator on the computer program they can use. Results for the test are instantaneous. The writing test is a two-part computerized test consisting of a multiple choice test and an essay. Students who test up a level on Challenge Day meet with advisors to adjust their schedules.
Studying with an ACT study guide, available at area libraries and bookstores, is a good way for students to prepare for the Challenge Test since the reading and math tests are ACT products. The guide will also provide some helpful information to prepare for the essay section of the test.
How long does the Challenge Test take?
Because the tests are untimed, there is no one answer to this question. However, most students take about an hour to complete each section.
What grades are given in Developmental Studies classes?
Students who earn an A, B, or C pass their class. No D's are given. Students may earn a Progress Grade (PR) under certain conditions. First, they must pass at least 50% of the class, they must attend and make progress during the semester, and they are eligible for a PR only the first time they take the class. If they don't pass the class on the second attempt, they will receive an F. A PR means that the student must repeat the class the next semester, but the grade does not reflect negatively on a student's grade point average like an F does.
A Progress Grade (PR) is very helpful to many students since sometimes it is difficult to learn the required material in a single semester. Although developmental classes are considered high school classes, they move much faster than a typical high school class. Most high school classes meet five hours a week, but developmental classes only meet three hours a week. In addition, the semesters at college last only 15 weeks. Therefore, developmental classes demand more study time outside of class than students spent in high school to be successful.
How is attendance regarded?
Because Developmental classes are considered high school classes, attendance is required. Professors are given discretion in how many classes they will allow students to miss without penalty, and these rules are stated clearly in the class syllabus. It is the student's responsibility to find out what he or she missed. Coursework not turned in on time due to tardiness or absence may be refused, or the instructor may impose a grade penalty on late work.
If the student misses a class, he or she should email or phone the professor as soon as possible to find out if assignments can be made up. Often, professors do not allow students to make up a test.
What kind of help is available for my son or daughter?
Jackson State has a lot of free help available.
- All professors have 15 hours of office time a week to meet with students. All the student has to do is make an appointment.
- The JSCC library staff offer friendly and expert advice on how to find resources for projects and papers.
- The Academic Assistance Center on the second floor of the library offers free tutoring in most academic subjects.
- The Writing Center in the Library provides free tutoring help for any written assignments.
- The SMART Math Center in C203 allows students to drop in to work on their MyMathLab assignments.
- The Math Homework Lab in Classroom 101 gives students the opportunity to drop in before or after class to get specific tutoring help with a certain problem. Students may do their homework in the lab under a math teacher's supervision.
- The Reading Lab in Classroom 2E6 allows students to come outside of class and work on assignments.
- The Counseling Office is open to students who need professional advice about their classes or personal lives.
- The Job Placement Office in the Student Union assists students in finding employment.
- The Career Center offers career testing to help match students' skills and personalities with a job.
- The Financial Aid Office will help students find loans, scholarships, and grants.
- When the student declares a major, he or she will be assigned an advisor from that area to help in choosing classes and making career decisions.
What kinds of activities does Jackson State offer outside the regular classroom?
Students pay an activity fee as part of their college expenses, and this money is used for special events throughout the semester. In addition, clubs and organizations give students social and leadership opportunities. Events such as the annual Health Fair, the Job Fair, and the College Fair are popular ways for students to get important information. Special lectures are held on contemporary topics that are open to all students. Jackson State has varsity men's and women's basketball teams, a baseball team, and a softball team.
If I have additional questions, whom can I contact?
Teri MaddoxDevelopmental Studies Directortmaddox@jscc.edu
731.425.2608 or
1-800-355-5722 ext 608 (in the West TN area).