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English Language Learners: 2:03:00:03

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 Responsible Executive: Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

I. PURPOSE

Motlow State Community College (Motlow State), pursuant to Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Policy 2.03.00.03, provides this policy as a course pathway for English Language Learner (ELL) students who qualify for co-requisite remediation to ensure those students have the support needed to be successful in credit-bearing coursework.  This policy is submitted in support of Motlow State Policy 3:01:00:00 and TBR Policy 2.03.00.02.

II. DEFINITIONS

  1. Learning Support – Academic support needed by a student to be successful in college level general education courses and/or to meet minimum reading, writing, and mathematic competencies as required by faculty in programs that do not require general education courses in reading, writing, and/or mathematics. The purpose of learning support is to enhance academic success in college level courses and increase the likelihood of program completion that will prepare students for career success in their chosen field of study.
  2. English Language Learner (ELL) – A student who self-identifies on their admissions application that their primary language is not English or who is a foreign national, and who is in the process of actively acquiring English.
  3. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) – Curricular interventions that support a student whose first language is not English and who would benefit from language support programs to improve academic performance in English due to challenges with reading, comprehension, speaking, and/or writing in English.
  4. Co-Requisite – Learning Support courses or experiences linked with an appropriate college level course that is required in the student’s chosen field of study, so that the student is enrolled concurrently in both Learning Support and appropriate college level courses that are applicable to the student’s academic pathway.

III.  GUIDELINES

  1. TBR requires Motlow State to develop an English Language Learner policy consistent with TBR Policy 2.03.00.03.  Motlow State’s policy shall also be in compliance with TBR Policy 2.03.00.02.
  2. Motlow State shall include in this policy cut scores for placement exams as designated in the Exhibits section of this policy.  Any subsequent changes to cut scores for ELL placement exams, prior to implementation, shall be submitted to TBR for review and approval.

IV.  PROCEDURES

  1. Assessment
    1. International non-immigrant applicants and in/out-of-state applicants must meet admissions criteria in accordance with Motlow State Policy 3:01:00:00 and TBR Policy 2.03.00.00.
    2. Motlow State identifies placement scores for international (F-1 Visa) applicants through use of the TOEFL or other comparable standardized examinations in accordance with Motlow State Policy 3:01:00:00 and TBR Policy 2.03.00.00.
    3. Motlow State shall identify placement scores for in-state applicants in accordance with TBR Policy 2.03.00.02, by examination of transcripts showing successful completion of ENGL 1010, or by other comparable standardized examinations.
    4. Based on an analysis of student success characteristics, staff and faculty may make referrals for ELL students to enroll in ELL/ESOL supported courses as provided in Motlow State Policy 3:01:00:00, and TBR Policy 2.03.00.00.
  2. Placement for Speakers of Other Languages Supported Courses
    1. International applicants who have placement scores above the minimum level determined by Motlow State shall enroll in college-level English courses.
    2. In-State applicants who have placement scores above the minimum level, as determined by this policy and TBR Policy 2.03.00.03, or who have successfully completed ENGL 1010, shall enroll in college-level English courses.  See the Exhibits section for recognized placement exams and cut scores.
    3. English Language Learners who have test scores below the minimum placement cut score shall be enrolled in co-requisite ENGL 1010.  See the Exhibits section for recognized placement exams and cut scores.
  3. English for Speakers of Other Languages Supported Courses
    1. Motlow State shall provide English Language Learners who test below minimum cut scores ELL/ESOL enhanced co-requisite English courses.
      1. ELL/ESOL enhanced courses may be provided in two co-requisite formats:
        1. ENGL 1010/ENGL 1020 with a supplemental instruction focused on providing ESL. Supplemental instruction focuses on English for Academic Purpose (EAP), which includes training in academic reading, writing, presenting, and note-taking.
        2. ELL/ESOL enhanced ENGL 1010/ENGL 1020 – In addition to the curriculum of the English course, content on English for Academic Purpose (EAP), which includes training in academic reading, writing, presenting, and note-taking, is also provided.
      2. Students may have the option to sign a waiver to opt-out and enroll in college level English courses.
    2. For colleges with designated ESOL coursework, students that score below the minimum test scores can opt to take pre-college level coursework designed for language acquisition that will help prepare them for college coursework in their chosen majors.  Additionally, ELL students may opt to take ESL-suffixed co-requisite Composition courses (ENGL 0920/1010 ESL) if they score below the minimum standards, or a stand-alone 1010 ESOL-designated course.
    3. At such time as the English Language Learner who was enrolled in ESOL enhanced co-requisite English courses successfully completes ENGL 1010/ENGL 1020, they shall have met the requirement for college-level English.

EXHIBITS

SOURCES

T.C.A. § 49-8-203

CORRESPONDING POLICY

HISTORY

  • Institutional Oversight Committee Approved: February 16, 2024
  • President’s Cabinet Approved: March 5, 2024
  • TBR Office of Academic Affairs Approved: May 9, 2024
  • Effective Date: June 12, 2024
     
     
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