Developmental Studies

The mission of the Developmental Studies department is to provide students with foundational skills necessary to be successful in college, employment, and lifelong learning.

During the past few years, the DS department has implemented new strategies designed to increase the success of students enrolled in developmental courses by promoting early connections and high expectations, and by providing academic support to increase student success and retention. To support these efforts, DS has increased support and mentors for adjunct faculty, encouraged the use of unified texts, tests, and pacing guides for all courses, increased the utilization of academic coaches, and created student success teams.

Community and technical colleges educate students of all ability levels, but often the students who seek community college education are not ready for college-level coursework. In response to this issue, community colleges offer developmental education courses, which are required, noncredit courses for students who score below a certain level on college entrance exams. At York Technical College, developmental education coursework helps prepare students for college-level courses in math, reading, and English.

Nationwide, 68 percent of community college students test into developmental education courses. Approximately 53 percent of York Tech freshmen placed into at least one developmental course for the 2014–15 school year.

While developmental education programs are crucial to student success, the traditional routes often create obstacles for students. Developmental education courses are not for credit. The courses take additional time to complete and can use up precious financial aid. These factors make it difficult for students to complete developmental education courses and, subsequently, graduation requirements.

To improve completion rates for developmental education students, York Tech has implemented accelerated developmental education course options. During the 2013–14 school year, the College offered pilot courses in math, reading, and English. Accelerated courses allow students to complete developmental education requirements in one semester instead of two. There are also course opportunities that allow students to combine their developmental education course with an entry-level freshman course. The courses feature smaller class sizes, and also allow for more one-on-one time between students and instructors.

In the fall of 2015, York Tech will continue to offer the accelerated developmental education course options.

Courses and Resources
The Development Studies Department is responsible for the following courses:

College Skills (COL 101 / 103 / 105)English (ENG 031)
Mathematics (MAT 031 / 032)
Reading (RDG 031 / 100 / 101)

Developmental Studies works closely with the Assessment Center and the Academic Coaching and Tutoring Center to provide integrated services that support student success.