Developmental Education

Overview

Developmental education is designed to prepare students for college-level course work through instruction in reading, writing, mathematics and student success strategies. By taking developmental education courses, students have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills and abilities required for success in college courses.

Developmental Education Exemptions

Because of a bill passed by the 2013 Florida Legislature, Florida public high school graduates and active duty military may get to decide prior to registration whether or not to take a college placement test like the ACCUPLACER Next Generation or the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (P.E.R.T.).

Effective spring 2014, if you entered the ninth grade in a Florida public school in 2003 or after and earned a standard Florida high school diploma, or if you are a student who is serving as an active duty member of any branch of the U.S. Armed Services, you will not be required to take a college placement test or enroll in developmental education at any Florida College System institution, including Florida State College at Jacksonville (per State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.0315). 

If you are exempt from placement testing and developmental education, you may still opt to be assessed or may enroll in developmental education, and the College will provide assessment and instruction upon your request.

Exempt Students

Who Is Exempt (Can Skip) from Common Placement Testing and Developmental Education Instruction?

• First-time-in college, transfer, or currently enrolled students who entered ninth grade in a Florida public high school in the 2003-04 school year, or any year thereafter, and who earned a Florida standard high school diploma
• First-time-in-college, transfer, or currently enrolled students who are serving as active duty members of the United States Armed Services, defined by the Department of Homeland  Security, U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services, Section 392.1, as including:
  • Full-time training duty
  • Active duty in the Coast Guard during a period of hostility
  • Annual training duty and attendance while in an active military status at a service school
  • Active duty National Guard
  • Reservists serving on active duty
  • Active duty in noncombatant capacity

Non-exempt Students

Who is Non-exempt (Cannot Skip) from Common Placement Testing and Developmental Education Instruction?

• Students who earned a high school equivalency diploma or GED®
• Prospective dual enrollment students
• Home school students
• Students who graduated from an out-of-state public high school
• Students who graduated from an in-state or out-of-state private high school
• Veterans are not exempt unless they meet other eligibility criteria.

Developmental Education Options

Even if you don’t qualify for exemption from placement testing, you still have options that include a variety of developmental course delivery models. Additionally, if you score in the upper ranges of the reading, writing, and math placement assessment, you may be eligible for direct entry into gateway (college-credit) courses that fulfill some requirements of your program of study. Your advisor can provide you with additional information.

For additional information about developmental education, please visit the College Catalog.

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