Developmental Education
Developmental education is instruction through which a high school graduate may attain the communication and computation skills necessary to successfully complete college credit instruction.
The College offers developmental education courses in English, reading, and mathematics. According to the Florida Administrative Code, an entering student who is not exempt from common placement testing and developmental education must take Florida’s placement test, the PERT (Postsecondary Education Readiness Test). A non-exempt student whose PERT scores in English, reading, or mathematics fall below the minimum in these areas must take developmental education courses.
Per s. 1008.30, F.S., the following students are exempt from the requirement to take the common placement test and to enroll in developmental education:
- Students who entered Grade 9 in a Florida public school in 2003-2004 or thereafter and earned a Florida standard high school diploma; and
- Students who are serving as active duty members of any branch of the United States Armed Services.
However, a student who is not required to take the common placement test nor to enroll in developmental education courses may choose to be assessed and enroll in developmental education instruction.
A student who is not exempt from common placement testing and who tests into developmental education and subsequently enrolls in developmental courses must successfully complete the required developmental education courses by the time he or she has accumulated 12 credit hours of college coursework or must maintain continuous enrollment in developmental coursework each term until the requirements are completed while performing satisfactorily in the degree earning coursework. A student who is required to take two or more developmental education courses must also complete SLS 1101 College Success.
Developmental education courses do not satisfy any requirements for graduation. Each developmental education course is designated in the course description to indicate the number of college preparatory (c.p.) credits awarded. For assistance in college credit course selection or for additional information about this state requirement, contact an advisor.
In accordance with Florida law, a student may use Adult Education, Adult Secondary Education, private provider instruction, or approved documented student achievements as an alternative to traditional developmental education instruction. For information on these options, contact the Mathematics and Computer Science Department at (850) 484-1128 or Dr. Tracy Peyton in the English and Communications Department at (850) 484-1400.