Policy 3.06

Part 1. Purpose

Developmental education courses expand higher education opportunities to previously underserved and underprepared populations. These courses empower students to improve basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, to further the achievement of their educational objectives.

Developmental education plays a crucial role in supporting the Mission, Vision and Values of the College as an open enrollment public institution. Ideally, developmental education will support all students' learning, persistence, retention and achievement. Although this policy defines developmental education narrowly as coursework, it must integrate with and complement the College's full range of academic and student support services, including the following:

• Advising 
• Assessment 
• Tutoring
• Accessibility resources
• Primary and secondary educational connections
• Faculty and staff professional development 
• Curricular offerings

These goals of student success and alignment fit with the Minnesota State System's Developmental Education Strategic Roadmap (DESR), finalized in 2018.

Part 2. Definitions

Developmental Education: Coursework with course numbers under 1000 taught by college faculty, in the areas of reading, English composition, and mathematics that prepares students for college-level coursework or Career and Technical program requirements. This excludes Adult Basic Education (ABE/AE) and English as a Second Language/English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) coursework.

Part 3. Assessment Testing for Course Placement

Assessments testing for basic skills in the areas of reading, mathematics, and English composition will be administered to all new entering students. An English language assessment which includes a writing sample will be used for non-native English speakers. Students with disabilities may arrange for special arrangements for testing by contacting the Office for Students with Disabilities. Exceptions to this policy will be noted under Student Assessment policies.

Assessments may include approved testing instruments or other measures and may result in developmental education placement. For additional information about assessment for course placement, visit College Policy 4.02, Assessment Testing for College Readiness.

Part 4. Developmental Coursework

Developmental courses will not count toward Minneapolis College degrees, certificates or diplomas or Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) requirements.

These courses will be provided at regular tuition rates and will count towards financial aid eligibility.

Up to 30 attempted semester credits of developmental-level courses will be financial aid eligible.

Students are recommended to complete developmental coursework as early as possible, as needed. This will typically require beginning this coursework in the first year of enrollment.

Owner(s) Title: Vice President of Academic Affairs

Date of Adoption: 7/1/1999

Date of Implementation (if different from adoption date): N/A

Date Last Reviewed: 2/29/2023 (Limited Review)

History and Subject of Revisions: 2/29/2023 (Limited Review), 3/28/2019

Regulatory Authority (e.g. Minnesota State policy, federal or state law): Minnesota State Board Policy 3.3 Assessment for Course Placement; System Procedure 3.3.1 - Assessment for Course Placement; System Operating Instruction 3.36.1.1 Course Numbering Convention; Minn. Stat. §136F.302 Regulating the Assignment of Students to Remedial Courses; 2017 Session Law Chapter 89. Article 2. Section 25. Developmental Education Reform