Tennessee Tech University

The Academic Development Program at Tennessee Technological University began in 1985 as part of a mandate issued by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), the governing body of Tennessee's twenty state-supported universities and community colleges that are not affiliated with the University of Tennessee system. The program is designed to bridge the gap between "academically underprepared students and the level of academic competency needed for success in collegiate studies" (Mission Statement, 1993). Of the 10,614 1st-time freshmen enrolled in one or more developmental classes at TTU from Fall 1986 through Spring 2008, TTU has awarded 3,185 degrees, ranging from AAS/AS (119) to BA, BFA, BM, BS, BSI (2673) through MA, MBA, MED, MS (309), EDS (84). At the end of 2008S, 25.20% of these 10,000+ students have received bachelors degrees, 3.70% a masters or higher.

TTU's Academic Development Program provides instruction in reading, mathematics, writing skills, and learning strategies at the developmental levels. Enrollment in these classes may be required by the University before a student is allowed to enroll in college-level classes [see Admission to Freshman Standing].

From 1985 to 2003, TTU offered both remedial and developmental-level courses. Based upon current TBR guidelines, TTU no longer offers remedial (basic 0700-level) classes; however, developmental level (0800 and higher) classes are still be offered at TTU. Students with remedial (0700) requirements based upon ACT scores and/or COMPASS placement may be denied admission to TTU until these requirements are satisfied. Remedial (basic 0700) classes may be removed by

1. completing the 0700-level classes at a community college and transferring the work to TTU
2. retesting for the ACT to achieve subscore and composite scores of 19 or above
3. testing with COMPASS and placing at the developmental (0800/0850) level.

Based upon ACT scores and test scores from the COMPASS Placement Test (COMPASS), students may be required to enroll in one or more classes at the pre-college (basic/developmental) level. Students needing Academic Development Program DSP courses must enroll in and satisfactorily complete those courses during the initial term(s) of enrollment. Students may concurrently enroll in college-level courses which do not require pre-requisite DSP skills. Class attendance is mandatory. Students placed and enrolled in a DSP class are not permitted to withdraw except for serious circumstances and with the permission of the program director. A grade of "C" or higher is required for progression to the next level.