Description:

This self-instructional course is designed for students who demonstrate strong comprehension skills and wish to improve the rate at which they process written language. Students learn techniques for increasing reading rate and for improving skimming and scanning levels. A pretest will be administered to determine a baseline reading efficiency rate. An individualized program of study will be developed for each student which includes both instructional and practice material provided by the A.A.C. Textbooks, computer software and handouts are some of the materials used in this course. An Academic Achievement Center instructor is available to work with students to establish specific instructional goals, administer tests and provide individualized instruction as needed to complete each student's program. This course does not fulfill degree requirements.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Individual students goals will be based on the pretest scores;
however, those goals will be selected from the  course objectives listed
below.

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate increased reading rate.
2. Demonstrate increased flexibility in rate based on: a) content of selection, b) stylistic features of selection, and c) purpose for reading selection.
3. Distinguish between deliberate reading in which the reader contacts all the words visually and reaches for complete understanding of the ideas being communicated by the author, skimming for key concepts and main ideas, and scanning for dates and details.
4. Demonstrate the ability to apply skimming techniques in order to have a general understanding of the main idea of a passage.
5. Demonstrate the ability to apply scanning techniques to locate a specific fact or some detail.
6. Demonstrate the ability to apply deliberate reading techniques to get a complete understanding of the passage, its organization and its content.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Determine Baseline Reading Efficiency Rate by Taking Post-Test
   A. Establish rate (words per minute).
   B. Establish level of comprehension (% correct).
   C. Determine reading efficiency rate (rate X comprehension = reading
efficiency rate).

II. Demonstrate Increased Flexibility in Rate
   A. Adjust rate for content of selection (difficulty of material,
vocabulary level).
   B. Adjust rate for stylistic features of selection (layout, print,
sentence length).
   C. Adjust rate for purpose of reading (leisure, study).

III. Distinguish Between Types of Reading
   A. Explain deliberate reading (complete understanding of author's
purpose).
   B. Explain skimming for key concepts and main ideas.
   C. Explain scanning for dates and details.
   D. Compare and contrast the three types.
   E. Select the correct type of reading for a given task.

IV. Apply Skimming Techniques for Main Idea
   A. Skim given passages for main ideas.
   B. Practice skimming in materials of self-selection.

V. Apply Scanning Techniques for Specific Factors or Details
   A. Scan given passages for specific details.
   B. Practice scanning in materials of self-selection.

VI. Apply Deliberate Reading Techniques for Complete Understanding
   A. Recognize organizational patterns in passages.
   B. Identify main ideas and major details of given passages.
   C. Practice deliberate reading in self-selected materials and study
material.

VII. Determine Increase in Reading Efficiency Rate by Taking Post-Test and
Compare to Pre-Test

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Chapter tests from textbooks, graded assignments, an increase in
reading efficiency rate and completion of course notebook. During the
first 5 hours of study in the Academic Achievement Center, each student
will be asked to select one of the following grading systems. Regardless
of the grading system chosen, each student is required to complete a
required number of chapter tests, attaining a score of 70% or greater on
each test. (Students are expected to complete graded tests and assignments
throughout the mandatory time requirements of the specified grading
system.) Improvement from pretest reading efficiency rate to posttest,
chapter tests and a course notebook are the basis of course grade. Consult
with an instructor before selecting the pass/fail or standard grading
system.

Pass/Fall: 
In order to receive a grade of "P" (pass), the student must complete the
minimum required chapter tests at 70%+, must complete at least 20 hours of
study in the A.A.C., must submit a course notebook for evaluation, and must
show improvement based on pretest and posttest scores.  Failure to complete
any of the above will result in a grade of "F."

Standard Letter Grade:
20-30+ hours of study in the A.A.C., required number of chapter tests at
70%+, course notebook, improvement of reading efficiency rate based on the
pretest and posttest.

Grading Criteria:
A = 90 - 100% and 30+ hours and RER improv. of 150%
B = 80 -  89% and 25+ hours and RER improv. of 100%
C = 70 -  79% and 20+ hours and RER improv. of  50%
D = 60 -  69% and 20+ hours and RER improv. of  25%
F = Below 60% or < 20 hours  or RER improv. of <25%

Caveats:

1. It is the student's responsibility to read the course syllabus, A.A.C. information sheet, program sheet and any other material provided by the A.A.C. staff in which procedures, policies, grading guidelines and policies are explained. Students are expected to complete and date the steps listed on the front of the A.A.C. folder.
2. No more than four (4) hours per day will count toward the required hours.

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.