1. Langan, John.  Ten Steps to Advanced Reading.  1st ed. Marlton, New Jersey: Townsend Press, 2004.

     2. Nist, Sherrie L., and Carole Mohr.  Advancing Vocabulary Skills.  3^rd ed. Marlton, NJ: Townsend Press, 2002.

This is a semester course designed to teach reading skills necessary for success in comprehending and studying college-level courses.  Emphasis is on vocabulary, literal and inferential comprehension, analysis, efficiency, and reading rate.  Students may exit from Learning Support from this course; however, they may also repeat the course for a maximum of twelve semester hours or three semesters.

Students completing this course will be able to

Students demonstrate increased ability in critical reading skills (analyzing, making inferences, and drawing conclusion) and in vocabulary skills.  Students demonstrate improved ability by earning a score of 80 or better on COMPASS Reading. To qualify to take COMPASS, the student must have an average of 75% in the class.  Students with an average of 80% or above will have two opportunities to pass the COMPASS. In approximate values, reading tests count for 50% of the course average, comprehension quizzes are 20%, vocabulary quizzes are 20%, and homework represents 10%.

S = The student has a minimum average of 75% or better, and exits the class with at least 80 on the COMPASS.

U= The student has an average of 74 or less and must retake the class.

* Learning Support grades are not included in students’ GPAs.

Absences reduce a student’s chances for success.  When a student misses a class, he/she will miss instructions, demonstrations, group discussions, practice activities, or tests that are vital to the student’s progress in the class.  Any tests or homework assignments submitted after the due dates may receive low or no scores.

Good conduct is required. Do not disrupt the learning process. Cell phones and beepers must be turned off before entering the classroom so as not to disturb the learning environment.

If a student does not complete learning support area requirements in twelve semester hours or three semesters, whichever occurs first, the student will be suspended and will not be considered for readmission within three years of suspension. Prior to suspending a student who has not exited a Learning Support course within the twelve semester hours or three semester limit, an institution may allow the student to appeal for one additional course.  The student must be individually evaluated and determined to have a reasonable chance of success, be in an exit level course, have reached the limit in only one Learning Support area if granted the additional course, the student may enroll in only the Learning Support course.

Students with disabilities or special needs of any type should contact Disability Support Services in the ACE Center to request reasonable accommodations for academic programs and other activities of Dalton State College. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACE Center as soon as possible and to make an appointment with Disability Support Services (DSS) staff to begin the process of qualifying for accommodations. Professional documentation must be provided that explains and verifies the disability and resulting limitations before DSS Services and accommodations can be utilized. Once documentation is provided, students must allow adequate time for assessment of documentation and implementation of approved accommodations. For additional information, please contact: The Disability Support Service Center is located in the ACE Center on the lower level of the Pope Student Center. Students who are unable to come to the ACE Center to request services should contact 272-4429 or email mandrews@daltonstate.edu for assistance. Students who are unable to access the instructor’s office should call the instructor at 706-272-2593 for assistance.

The last day to drop this class without penalty is October 25. You will be assigned a grade of W. After this date, withdrawal without penalty is permitted only in cases of extreme hardship as determined by the Vice President for Academic Affairs; otherwise a grade of WF will be issued. Students who wish to drop this class or withdraw from all classes should go to the Enrollment Services Office in Westcott Hall to complete the necessary form. Students who fail to complete the official drop/withdrawal procedure will receive the grade of F. Withdrawal from class is a student’s responsibility. Before dropping any class, the College strongly advises that students meet with their academic advisor and their instructor to discuss the impact of a withdrawal on their graduation plans. The College also strongly advises students who are receiving any type of financial aid to visit the Financial Aid office in pope Student Center to discuss the impact a withdrawal may have on their financial Aid status. The grade of W counts as hours attempted for the purposes of financial aid." 

If a student receiving aid administered by the DSC Workforce Development Department drops this class or completely withdraws from the College, the Add/Drop/Withdrawal form must be taken to the Workforce Development Office first. The office is located in the Technical Education Building, Room 140, and the hours are 9:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and 8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon on Friday. The phone number is 272-2635.