Iḷisaġvik College offers a series of courses that help students master the foundational skills necessary for college success. Classes are eight (8) weeks long and taught twice each semester. They focus on strengthening English and Math skills, so students can confidently and successfully transition into 100-level courses.
Frequently, adult students who have been out of the educational environment for an extended period of time may find that their skills have become “rusty.” The Foundational Studies program is designed to advance all students to college-level course work (100 or higher) as quickly as possible. At the end of each course, students have the opportunity to retake the ACCUPLACER and based on the new scores, may skip one or more classes in the foundational course sequence, and may even advance directly to the next college-level course.
ACCUPLACER Test
ACCUPLACER is a computer-adaptive placement test that helps to place students into the appropriate course levels. Students do not pass or fail the test, and they do not earn a grade. The sole purpose of the test is to place the students in the course level that they are able to complete successfully. In order to do so, students will take the following tests:
- Math
- English: Reading Comprehension
- English: Writing
Based on scores in one or more tests, students are placed into foundational and or college-level courses.
Math Placement
| Course | Placement Test | Score |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 055A | Arithmetic | <250 |
| MATH 055B | Arithmetic | 250 - 300 |
| BUS 105 w/031 | Algebra | 240-249 |
| MATH 060A | Algebra | <250 |
| MATH 060B | Algebra | 250-300 |
| BUS 105 | Algebra | 250-300 |
| MATH 105 | Adv. Algebra | 230-249 |
| MATH 107 | Adv. Algebra | ≥250 |
English Placement
Students must have a minimum writing score of 4 in order to place into ENGL 111.
Writing Score: 1
- Reading Score: ≤252 → ENGL 075
- Reading Score: ≥253 and ≤269 → ENGL 111 w/ 031
Writing Score: 2
- Reading Score: ≤251 → ENGL 075
- Reading Score: ≥252 and ≤268 → ENGL 111 w/ 031
Writing Score: 3
- Reading Score: ≤250 → ENGL 075
- Reading Score: ≥251 and ≤267 → ENGL 111 w/ 031
Writing Score: 4
- Reading Score: ≤249 → ENGL 075
- Reading Score: ≥250 and ≤266 → ENGL 111 w/ 031
- Reading Score ≥267 → ENGL 111
Writing Score: 5
- Reading Score: ≤248 → ENGL 075
- Reading Score: ≥249 and ≤265 → ENGL 111 w/ 031
- Reading Score ≥266 → ENGL 111
Writing Score: 6
- Reading Score: ≤247 → ENGL 075
- Reading Score: ≥248 and ≤264 → ENGL 111 w/ 031
- Reading Score ≥265 → ENGL 111
Writing Score: 7
- Reading Score: ≤246 → ENGL 075
- Reading Score: ≥247 and ≤263 → ENGL 111 w/ 031
- Reading Score ≥264 → ENGL 111
Writing Score: 8
- Reading Score: ≤245 → ENGL 075
- Reading Score: ≥246 and ≤262 → ENGL 111 w/ 031
- Reading Score ≥263 → ENGL 111
Program Outcomes
The Foundational Studies course sequence is based on individual student need; therefore, upon completion of the identified sequence of courses, students will have gained one or more of the following:
- Basic skills in preparation for college-level course participation
- An academic foundation to gain proficiency in writing and arithmetic skills
- General knowledge of college life