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Proper placement leads to academic success. Academic success leads to retention and graduation.

The Learning Support Program at JSCC is dedicated to ensuring student success through proper placement and tailored academic support. Offering co-requisite courses in writing, reading, and math, the program helps students strengthen essential skills while progressing in their degree programs. With mandatory attendance, personalized tutoring, and a clear path for assessment and placement, the program is designed to support academic growth and retention. Students can access various tutoring centers and open labs and receive federal financial aid for up to 30 semester hours of attempted Learning Support courses.

 

"At JSCC, our Learning Support Program provides the foundation and guidance needed for academic success. We're committed to helping you build essential skills and achieve your goals every step of the way."

Assessment and Placement Procedures

The Learning Support (LS) Program offers co-requisite courses to help students succeed. Students must first obtain clearance from the Admissions and Records Office to take the TBR placement test and pay a nonrefundable $20 fee at the Business Office.

Enrollment Requirements:

  • Degree-seeking students needing LS co-requisite courses must enroll in and complete these courses during their first term.
  • Students testing into LS writing must enroll in ENGL 0010 and ENGL 1010.
  • Students testing into LS reading must enroll in READ 0010 and COL 1010.
  • Students testing into LS math must enroll in MATH 0030 and the corresponding college-level math course (MATH 1010, MATH 1030, or MATH 1530), depending on their program of study.

Transfer Credits:

  • LS courses passed at non-TBR institutions do not automatically transfer to JSCC, and placement testing may be required.
Screening and Assessment Criteria

Valid Scores:

  • Assessment is based on valid ACT/SAT or Accuplacer scores obtained within five years prior to the student’s entry term.
  • No assessment is required for students with an ACT composite score of 26 or higher.

Degree-Seeking, First-Time Students:

  • Students under 21 years old must present ACT/SAT scores.
  • Those without ACT/SAT scores will take the Accuplacer test.

Degree-Seeking Transfer Students:

  • Students without transferable college-level credits in English composition, reading-intensive general education, or mathematics will be assessed in those areas.

Special Students (Non-Degree-Seeking/Certificate Programs):

  • Students will be assessed similarly to degree-seeking students if they lack transferable college-level credits and later change to degree-seeking status.

Screening Adjustments:

  • Students not required to undergo assessment may request testing.
  • Instructors may recommend testing if deficiencies are observed.
Attendance Policy

Attendance is mandatory for both college-level and co-requisite LS courses. Instructors may impose grade penalties for absences and report them to the appropriate Dean.

Drops and Withdrawals

Persistence in Learning Support is essential for academic progress. Withdrawing from LS courses may delay goals and affect financial aid. Dropping the LS co-requisite lab requires also dropping the linked college-level course. Approval from the appropriate Dean is required to drop LS courses.

Credit Hours

Credits earned in LS classes do not count toward degree requirements but are part of the academic record.

Grade Assignments

Grades for LS courses are S (Satisfactory), U (Unsatisfactory), or W (Withdraw). A “W” requires Dean approval. Veterans Affairs benefits are not available for online LS classes.

Auditing Policy

LS classes may not be audited.

Appeals

Students on Academic Suspension may appeal to the Admissions and Standards Committee. Other appeals should be directed to the appropriate Dean.

Financial Aid

Eligible students may receive federal financial aid for up to 30 semester hours of attempted LS co-requisite labs.

Transfer and Confirmation Testing

LS courses from non-TBR institutions do not automatically transfer to Jackson State; ACT or TBR placement testing will be required. Students placed in LS co-requisite courses based on ACT scores are encouraged to take the Accuplacer for confirmation. The Accuplacer is offered during registration for a $5 fee per test area.

Tutoring

JSCC offers free tutoring across various subjects:

  • Writing: Available in the Writing Center on the first floor of the Library.
  • Math: Offered in the Math Lab in the Nelms Classroom Building, covering both LS and other math courses.
  • Reading: Available in the Reading Lab in the Nelms Classroom Building.
  • Other Subjects: Tutoring is available in the Academic Assistance Center (AAC) on the second floor of the Library. Appointments can be scheduled for ongoing or one-time support.
Lab Access

Students can access all open labs on any Jackson State campus, varying hours by semester and campus.

 

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Want to Earn College Credits While Attending High School?

Did you know you can earn college credit while in high school? Our course credits transfer to Tennessee public institutions, allowing you to accelerate your college journey where you choose.

ENGL 0010 Lab for ENGL 1010                                                                                                                                              Credit Hrs: 3
Pre-Req: Placement by testing   Co-Req: ENGL 1010
Co-requisite English lab for students with English ACT scores below 18 enrolling in ENGL 1010. Completion will satisfy the Tennessee Board of Regents learning support writing competencies. This course does not meet English requirements for graduation or elective credits for graduation.

MATH 0030 Lab for MATH 1030                                                                                                                                           Credit Hrs: 3
Pre-Req: Placement by testing   Co-Req: MATH 1030
Co-requisite math lab for students having math ACT scores of less than 19 who enroll in MATH 1030. Completion will satisfy Tennessee Board of Regents learning support math competencies. Designed for students pursuing curricula in science, engineering, technology, math, or business administration.

MATH 0530 Lab for MATH 1530                                                                                                                                           Credit Hrs: 3
Pre-Req: Placement by testing   Co-Req: MATH 1530
Co-requisite math lab for students having math ACT scores of less than 19 who enroll in MATH 1530. Completion will satisfy Tennessee Board of Regents learning support math competencies.

READ 0010 Lab for COL 1010                                                                                                                                                Credit Hrs: 3
Pre-Req: Placement by testing   Co-Req: COL 1010
Co-requisite reading lab for students with reading ACT scores below 19 who are required to enroll in COL 1010 to satisfy the reading competencies. Completion will satisfy Tennessee Board of Regents learning support reading competencies. This course does not meet general education requirements for graduation or elective credits for graduation.

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