Volunteer State Community College will provide a course pathway for English Language Learner (ELL) students who qualify for co-requisite remediation to ensure those students have the support needed to be successful in credit-bearing coursework. This policy supports TBR Policy 2.03.00.00 (Admissions), TBR Policy 2.03.00.02 (formerly A-100 Learning Support), and TBR Policy 2.03.00.03 (English Language Learners, formerly A-105).
Definitions
Learning Support - Academic support needed by a student to be successful in college-level general education courses and/or to meet minimum reading, writing, and mathematic competencies as required by faculty in programs that do not require general education courses in reading, writing, and/or mathematics. The purpose of learning support is to enhance academic success in college-level courses and increase the likelihood of program completion that will prepare students for career success in their chosen field of study.
English Language Learner (ELL) –A student who self-identifies on their admissions application that their primary language is not English or who is a foreign national, and who is in the process of actively acquiring English.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) –Curricular interventions that support a student whose first language is not English and who would benefit from language support programs to improve academic performance in English due to challenges with reading, comprehension, speaking, and/or writing in English.
Co-Requisite - Learning Support courses or experiences linked with an appropriate college-level course that is required in the student’s chosen field of study, so that the student is enrolled concurrently in both Learning Support and appropriate college-level courses that are applicable to the student’s academic pathway.
I. Assessment
- International non-immigrant applicants and in/out-of-state applicants must meet admissions criteria in accordance with TBR Policy 2.03.00.00 (Admissions) and VSCC Policy III:01:01 (Admissions Requirements).
- Applicants whose native language is not English and who are not permanent residents of the United States will be required to take the TOEFL, PTE Academic, IELTS, or other approved comparable standardized examinations prior to admission to VSCC in accordance with TBR Policy 2.03.00.00.
- VSCC identifies placement scores in VSCC Policy II:03:00 (Learning Support) for in-state and out-of-state applicants who have not yet successfully completed ENGL 1010.
- Based on an analysis of student success characteristics, staff, and faculty may make referrals for ELL students to complete the Cambridge Michigan Language Assessment (CaMLA) and/or enroll in ESL/ESOL supported courses as provided in TBR Policy 2.03.00.00. Cut scores for the Cambridge Michigan Language Assessment (CaMLA) are listed in Exhibit 1.
II. Placement for Speakers of Other Languages Supported Courses
- International applicants who have placement scores above the minimum level listed in VSCC Policy II:03:00 (Learning Support) shall enroll in college-level English courses.
- In-State and Out-of-State applicants who have placement scores above the minimum level listed in VSCC Policy II:03:00 (Learning Support) or who have successfully completed ENGL 1010, shall enroll in college-level English courses.
- ELL students who have test scores below the minimum placement cut score, may enroll in co-requisite ENGL 1010 or may elect to take designated ESOL coursework.
III. English for Speakers of Other Languages Supported Courses
- VSCC maintains designated ESOL pre-college coursework as delineated in the College Catalog that is designed for language acquisition that will help prepare ELL students for college coursework in their chosen majors.
- VSCC also offers designated sections of ESOL co-requisite support courses for College Composition. ELL students may elect to enroll in any co-requisite support course for College Composition.
- At such time as the ELL student successfully completes ENGL 1010/ENGL 1020, they shall have met the requirement for college-level English.
TBR Source: TBR Meeting, March 21, 2019
VSCC Source: September 7, 2022, President’s Cabinet
Exhibit 1: Cambridge Michigan Language Assessment (CaMLA) Scores
