Developmental Education and Adult Literacy Services

External Diploma Program

What is the External Diploma Program? The External Diploma Prorgram (EDP) is a self-paced program that is measured through projects and activities that are completed on a computer. Students must be self-motivated and learn independently, as there is no instructional component. Student work is reviewed through one­ to-one appointments with trained assessment staff. There is a minimum CASAS score needed to qualify for this program and a cost of $200 to participate. How long will it take to get a diploma? An assessment is given during orientation to determine the math and reading level of each potential student. Those who meet the cut-off score will have the option of preparing to take the GED® test or enroll in the EDP. Typical students complete the EDP in six to nine months. The time needed for students to prepare for the GED® test will vary according to skill level, motivation, and commitment.

English as a Second Language Program

What is the ESL Program? The ESL classes are designed to provide English language skills in speaking, writing, listening, and reading to students whose first language is not English. Many of the classes incorporate citizenship or civics education and job skills into the program. These classes allow students to progress at their own pace through a combination of teacher-directed lessons and at-home practice. HCC offers five levels of adult classes: ESL Beginning is for students who have limited functional ability in English. This includes those who may not be literate in any language as well as those who speak, understand, read, or write simple phrases and basic words in English. ESL Low Intermediate and ESL Low Intermediate with Civics are mid-range courses for students who are able to function with a limited routine English proficiency, yet are not able to communicate well outside familiar situations. ESL High Intermediate and ESL High Intermediate with Civics are higher-level courses for students whose English allows them to function in most day-to-day situations, yet they may have trouble understanding more complicated situations. ESL Advanced is designed for students whose English proficiency allows them to meet most professional and social demands and grasp deeper contexts in the language. This course also prepares students to transition to secondary ESL classes. ESL Bridge will assist advanced students and those who are entering the college at the first developmental level with course outcomes that are similar to ESL 098. Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students will be permitted to take ESL 099 without an additional placement test.

Adult Basic Education

ABE Beginning class strengthens student skills in basic math, reading, and writing. (Free) ABE Intermediate class builds on the upper elementary skills in math, reading, and writing. (Free) ABE Advanced class goes beyond basics and introduces students to middle level math, reading, and writing. (Free)  

English as a Second Language

ESL - 098 ESL Writing Basics This course is designed for students whose native language is not English, who have minimal training in English and want to improve their English communication skills. Instruction includes integration of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The primary focus is on achieving proficiency in core comprehension and writing skill. The reading skills include increasing vocabulary knowledge and dictionary skill, identifying main ideas and implied meaning, identifying supporting details, and developing lifelong reading habits. The writing component focuses on both sentence-level concerns and whole discourse, but the emphasis is on sentence level problems common to basic writers. Students placed into this course may be required to utilize online learning tools and/or skills lab for additional instruction, homework, and skill-building exercises. Prerequisite: An appropriate score on placement test and/or writing sample. Semesters offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. 3 Credits. ESL - 099 ESL Writing Essentials This course is designed for students whose native language is not English and who have had some training in English and want to improve their academic English skills. Instruction includes integration of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Emphasis is on developing reading comprehension suitable for American college freshman-level courses. Instruction focuses on developing reading strategies to enhance comprehension, recall, analysis of texts and academic vocabulary. Writing instruction emphasizes paragraphs and short essays that are unified, coherent, and fully developed. Students placed into this course may be required to utilize online learning tools and/or skills lab for additional instruction, homework, and skill-building exercises. Prerequisite: Successful completion of ESL 098 and/or appropriate score on placement test and/or writing sample. Semesters offered: Fall, Spring, Summer 3 Credits. ESL - 100 ES L Beginning Composition This course is designed for students whose native language is not English. This course is a survey of fundamental writing and reading skills with an emphasis on sentence structure, organization, diction and paragraph development as components of the essay, as well as emphasis on particular comprehension skills essential for reading college texts. Emphasis is placed on the application of these skills in effective study of American college-level materials. By completing the course content objectives, students will develop their reading, writing, listening and thinking skills and will improve their ability to express ideas orally and in writing in ENG 101 and other college-level courses. Students placed into this course may be required to utilize online learning tools and/or skills lab for additional instruction, homework, and skill-building exercises. Prerequisite: Successful completion of ESL 099 and/or appropriate score on placement test and/or writing sample. Note: Students may also be required to take ESL 105 and/or ESL 107 as a prerequisite or co-requisite for this course. Semesters offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. 3 Credits ESL - 105 ES L Listening and Speaking This course is designed for students whose native language is not English and who have had some training in English and want to improve their academic English skills. Instruction emphasizes aspects of pronunciation (rhythm, stress, and intonation), listening comprehension, and clarity of speech. Focus is also on speaking in academic and social situations. Students may take this course simultaneously with ESL 099, ESL 100, and ENG 101 or any credit course for which they meet the prerequisite. Semester offered: Periodically. 3 Credits ESL - 107 ES L Grammar This course is designed for students whose native language is not English and who have had some training in English and want to improve their academic English skills. Instruction emphasizes sentences, verb forms, punctuation, mechanics, and word usage. Students may take this course simultaneously with ESL 099, ESL 100, and ENG 101 or any credit course for which they meet the prerequisite. Semester offered: Periodically. 3 Credits

Developmental Mathematics

MAT - 098 Pre-Algebra This is a developmental course in pre-algebra skills. It includes addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and real numbers. Also covered is a study of percent, the metric system, data analysis, geometry, signed numbers, and equations. Approximately three additional hours per week should be expected using MathXL to complete online homework and tutorial programs. Students in this course may be required to attend the Learning Support Center for additional instruction and skill-building exercises. Semesters offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. 3 Credits MAT - 099 Elementary Algebra This is a developmental course covering the standard topics in a high school Algebra I course. Included are units on the properties of the real number system, solving linear and quadratic equations, linear inequalities, operations with algebraic expressions, factoring, exponents, and radicals. Simple relations, the concept of a function, and an introduction to graphing are also included. Approximately three additional hours per week should be expected using MathXL to complete online homework and tutorial programs. Students in this course may be required to attend the Learning Support Center for additional instruction and skill-building exercises. Prerequisite: MAT 098 or appropriate score on placement test. Semesters offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. 3 Credits MAT - 100 Intermediate Algebra This is a developmental course covering the topics course. It includes units on sets and their properties, the real number system, operating with algebraic expressions, factoring, exponents, and radicals. Students solve linear and quadratic equations, and inequalities. There are also units on the properties and graphs of functions and relations including lines, the conic sections centered at the origin, and the exponential and logarithmic functions. Math XL is required. Approximately three additional hours per week should be expected using MathXL to complete online homework and tutorial programs. Students in this course may be required to attend the Learning Support Center for additional instruction and skill building exercises. Prerequisite: MAT 099 or appropriate score on placement test. Semesters offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. 3 Credits

Developmental English

ENG - 098 Writing Basics This course presents an integrated approach to the development of writing and reading skills necessary for college success. Instructional activities are designed to emphasize the connection between writing and reading and to develop the skills and confidence that enhance success in subsequent courses. The primary focus is on achieving proficiency in core comprehension and writing skills. The core reading skills include increasing vocabulary knowledge and dictionary skills, identifying main ideas and implied meanings, identifying supporting details, and developing lifelong reading habits. The writing component focuses on both sentence-level concerns and whole discourse, but the emphasis is on sentence-level problems common to basic writers. Students placed into this course may be required to utilize online learning tools and/or skills lab for additional instruction, homework, and skill-building exercises. Prerequisite: An appropriate score on placement test and/or writing sample. Semesters offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. 3 Credits. ENG - 099 Writing Essentials This course is designed to help students develop effective writing and reading strategies appropriate for college studies. Students will engage in a variety of reading and writing activities, concentrating on logical interpretation of what they read and on clear written expression of what they understand. Instruction focuses on developing reading strategies to enhance comprehension, recall, analysis of texts and college-level vocabulary. Writing instruction emphasizes paragraphs and short essays that are unified, coherent, and fully developed. Students placed into this course may be required to utilize online learning tools and/or skills labor additional instruction, homework, and skill-building exercises. Prerequisite: Successful completion of ENG 098 and/or an appropriate score on placement test and/or writing sample. Semesters offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. 3 Credits. ENG - 100 Beginning Composition This course is a survey of fundamental writing and reading skills with an emphasis on sentence structure, organization, diction and paragraph development as components of the essay, as well as emphasis on particular comprehension skills essential for reading college texts. Focus is placed on the application of these skills in effective study of college-level materials. By completing the course content objectives, students will develop their reading, writing, and thinking skills and will improve their ability to express ideas orally and in writing in ENG 101 and other college-level courses. Students placed into this course may be required to utilize online learning tools and/or skills lab for additional instruction, homework, and skill-building exercises. Prerequisite: Successful completion of ENG 099 and/or an appropriate score on placement test and/or writing sample. Semesters offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. 3 Credits.