College Preparatory Program — Academic Foundations

The college preparatory program promotes and supports student success through a variety of courses, specialized services and curriculum innovations through the college's Academic Foundations department. The mission of the Academic Foundations department is to prepare students for college success by building a strong academic foundation in the core subjects of reading, writing and mathematics. We offer additional courses and workshops designed to develop effective study, life and career skills. Academic Foundations is located in Building 2, Room 207, and students are encouraged to take advantage of the academic and student support services offered through the department to enhance college success. As part of the college's enrollment process, students are assessed in the skill areas of reading, writing and mathematics using an entry level placement test. Based on this assessment, students may be placed in college preparatory courses in one or more skill areas. In the case of international students or non-native speakers of English, placement may begin in one of our English as a Second Language courses. All of our preparatory courses provide the foundation for success in college-level English or math courses.

The three areas of college preparatory instruction are mathematics, English (writing) and reading. Students who are assigned college prep instruction may take a limited number of college-level courses in each curriculum area as follows:

1. A student assigned to college prep mathematics may not register for any college-level mathematics course until the college prep requirement in mathematics is successfully completed. Additionally, no course with a mathematics prerequisite or corequisite may be taken.
2. A student assigned to college prep English or reading may not register for college-level English (ENC 1101 Freshman Composition Skills I) until the college prep requirement has been successfully completed. In addition, no course which has ENC 1101 as a prerequisite or corequisite may be taken.
3. A student assigned to college prep reading may not take any college-level reading course or ENC 1101 until the college prep requirement has been successfully completed. In addition, no course which has ENC 1101 as a prerequisite or corequisite may be taken.
4. ENC 0015 and ENC 0025 (Developmental Writing) and REA 0007 and REA 0017 (Developmental Reading) form the second or advanced level in the ESL (English as a Second Language) program. A student participating in the ESL program may not take college-level courses, except as noted in item B above.

All students required to enroll in a college preparatory course may elect to seek an alternative source for remedial instruction. The alternatives may include but not be limited to a private provider, continuing education, or the Learning Support Center.

Any student who tests into any college preparatory course or who selects an alternative method of instruction is encouraged to begin enrolling immediately in the college preparatory coursework and maintain continuous enrollment in college preparatory coursework until all college preparatory requirements have been satisfied. Once a student completes 12 credit hours of college-level coursework, the student will then be permitted to enroll only in college preparatory coursework until all prep requirements have been satisfied.

Students should enroll in at least one college preparatory course in their first semester. A student may take other appropriate college-level courses in addition to college preparatory courses if a student chooses to do so. However, all college preparatory courses must be completed prior to enrolling in more than 12 hours of college-level courses. Failure to comply with this rule will affect a student's ability to enroll in college-level courses and may affect a student's financial aid award. Florida statute F.S. 1009.28 requires CF to charge the full cost of instruction to students enrolled in the same college-preparatory class more than twice. However, extenuating circumstances may qualify for an exception to the increased fee. An exception based on extenuating circumstances may be used only once for each course.

College Preparatory Courses

College preparatory courses do not meet the General Education requirements and are nontransferable electives. They cannot be used to meet the 60-hour graduation requirement. College credit is not given for these courses. Students must continually enroll in required preparatory courses until all requirements are completed.

Student Life Skills Courses

Student Life Skills courses meet the general education requirements and are transferable electives. They can be used to meet the 60-hour graduation requirement.

All students with college preparatory needs are encouraged to enroll in SLS 1501 College and Career Success in their first semester. Students with college preparatory needs in two or more subject areas are required to enroll in SLS 1501 College and Career Success in their first semester.