College Readiness Coursework
for High School Seniors
The college readiness coursework program is intended for students with modest skill gaps in math and English. Students who successfully complete college readiness coursework while in high school can avoid remedial coursework at South Dakota’s technical colleges and Board of Regents institutions, saving both time and money.
Qualifying students receive a letter from the South Dakota Department of Education stating they qualify for the college readiness coursework program. The program is recommended for students with modest skill gaps in math and English. Students must meet at least one of the following:
| Math | English |
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| **If students retake the ACT and meet the threshold for BOR acceptance, they do not need remedial coursework. | |
Department of Education college readiness coursework is offered through Lake Area Technical College. The Board of Regents offers a related program in math with slightly different eligibility requirements through the Northern State University E-Learning Center.
| Lake Area Technical College | Northern State University E-Learning Center | |
| Courses |
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| Eligibility | For seniors who have modest skill gaps in math and English Math:
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For juniors and seniors who want to be more confident in their math skills Most appropriate for students who have:
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| Course format | Students complete coursework on their own time
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Semester-long course with coursework embedded into the student’s school day. Each week during the semester scheduled as follows:
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| After completing the course | Earning a qualifying Accuplacer assessment score allows students to place directly into credit-bearing math or ELA coursework at any South Dakota public university or technical college. Passing a course allows students to place directly into a credit-bearing math or ELA course at Lake Area Technical College. |
Earning a qualifying Accuplacer assessment score allows students to place directly into credit-bearing math coursework at a South Dakota technical college. Passing the course allows students to place directly into credit-bearing math coursework at any South Dakota public university.
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| Availability | Department of Education funds will pay for a total of 80 students per school year | Board of Regents funds will pay for up to 75 students per semester |
| Cost | $615 up front, with reimbursement after completion of the course | No cost to students or school districts |
| Registration | Students must register for the coursework via their local school district. | Students must register for the coursework via their local school district. |
| High school credit | It is a local decision for school districts to offer these courses for a half credit of elective math using course code 02138 or elective ELA using course code 99999. | Fulfills half of a high school math credit using College Math Preparation course code 02138 |
| Questions from school districts | Contact Vera Tipton with the South Dakota Department of Education or Lee Quale at Lake Area Technical College. | Contact Mary Cundy at Northern State University.
Visit ourdakotadreams.com |
Qualifying students receive a letter from the South Dakota Department of Education stating they qualify for the college readiness coursework program.
Public school students who took the ACT exam and/or the South Dakota English language arts (ELA) and math assessments in the spring will receive a letter from the South Dakota Department of Education notifying them about this program. Students who participate in subsequent ACT exams in the fall will not receive a letter.
College readiness coursework is offered through Lake Area Technical College.
Registration
Students must register for coursework through their local school district to ensure they get registered for the correct course, and to ensure that when there is a cost involved, that students or districts are reimbursed for the cost of the course.
Registration for the college readiness courses is for the spring semester. Students must complete the coursework during the spring semester in order to count the coursework toward the upcoming fall semester.
Cost
School districts are not responsible for the cost of the college readiness coursework program. Students and families may be charged for participation in the program.
Reimbursement for payment will be made to either the student or the school district upon completion of the coursework within the registered timeframe.
Coursework
Students will have the support of an online instructor as they work to complete their coursework.
Upon completion of the coursework, students must take the Accuplacer exam and pass the Board of Regents (BOR) threshold score for the Accuplacer to enter credit-bearing coursework.
The Accuplacer is an online exam that must be proctored to the student by a school official. Most students will complete the exam within one hour.
Benefits
The college readiness coursework program supports school districts’ career and college readiness goals. Additionally, each year, the number of students required to take remedial courses is published in the Board of Regents Transition Report. As fewer students need to take remedial courses due to their participation in the program, school districts’ transition reports will be improved.
Qualifying students receive a letter from the South Dakota Department of Education stating they qualify for the college readiness coursework program.
Public school students who took the ACT exam and/or the South Dakota English language arts (ELA) and math assessments in the spring will receive a letter from the South Dakota Department of Education notifying them about this program. Students who participate in subsequent ACT exams in the fall will not receive a letter.
College readiness coursework is offered through Lake Area Technical College.
Registration
Students must register for the college readiness coursework program through their local school district. Students begin by contacting their school counselor to register for their needed coursework, Intermediate Algebra (MATH 101) and/or Practical Writing (EN 100) through Lake Area Technical College.
Coursework
Once registered, students then access and complete their coursework online with the support of an online teacher. When all coursework is complete, students will take the Accuplacer assessment. The students’ scores are then sent to the Board of Regents. If students meet the required Accuplacer placement scores, they will be able to register for college-level courses. The Board of Regents Accuplacer placement scores can be found on this Board of Regents document.
Cost
Payment for the coursework is required at the time of registration either by the student or the school district.
Reimbursement for payment will be made to either the student or the school district upon completion of the coursework within the registered timeframe.
Benefits
By successfully completing the online coursework at Lake Area Technical College, students are able to save both time and money by avoiding zero credit remedial coursework at the start of their postsecondary career.
All coursework must be completed by the end of the semester.