Policies on Remediation and Placement Testing in Mathematics and Reading

Effective fall 2008, Montclair State University is revising remedial mathematics and developmental reading courses. These changes are a result of careful consideration of curricular requirements at the University. Please read the new policies described below carefully to ensure a clear understanding of how these changes may affect you.

Policy Changes in Mathematics Remediation

Students will no longer be required to enroll in MATH 050 or MATH 060.
Montclair State University will no longer offer remediation in basic computation and arithmetic. As a consequence, two mathematics remedial courses, MATH 050, "Basic Skills MATH I: Computation" and MATH 060, "Basic Skills Mathematics Laboratory-Computation", will no longer be offered.

MATH 051 and MATH 061 will continue to be offered.
The University will continue to offer remedial courses in elementary algebra. Students who are determined to need remedial coursework in elementary algebra on the basis of placement test results will still be required to enroll in, and successfully complete EITHER MATH 051, "Basic Skills MATH II: Algebra", or MATH 061, "Basic Skills MATH II: Laboratory - Algebra".

New Policies Regarding Testing and Placement into Remedial Mathematics Coursework

1. All students with SAT MATH scores greater than or equal to 550 are exempt from all remedial coursework in mathematics, and do not need to take an algebra placement test. These students should confer with their academic advisors and enroll in the appropriate 100-level course in MATH.

2. All students who completed high school Algebra II with a course grade of B- or better are exempt from all remedial coursework in mathematics, and do not need to take an algebra placement test. These students should confer with their academic advisors and enroll in the appropriate 100-level course in MATH.

3. Students who fail to meet either of the two exemption criteria above are REQUIRED to take an algebra placement test. Students who achieve a score greater than or equal to 71 ARE NOT required to enroll in any remedial coursework in elementary algebra, and should confer with their academic advisors and enroll in the appropriate 100-level course in MATH. Students who score below 71 on the elementary algebra placement test ARE REQUIRED to enroll in one of the following elementary algebra courses: MATH 051, "Basic Skills MATH II: Algebra", or MATH 061, "Basic Skills MATH II: Laboratory - Algebra." These courses do not count toward the degree.

New Policy Regarding Completion of Required Remedial Coursework in Mathematics

Fall 2008 students:
Students who are required to enroll in a remedial course in elementary algebra in fall 2008 on the basis of their placement test score are required to enroll in MATH 051 or MATH 061 during their first semester, and they MUST satisfactorily complete this course within their first year of enrollment.

Policy Changes in Reading Remediation

Students will no longer be required to enroll in READING 053. Montclair State University will no longer offer remediation in basic reading. As a consequence, READ 053, "Basic Reading Skills", will no longer be offered.

New Policies Regarding Testing and Placement into Developmental Reading Coursework

1. All students with SAT READING scores greater than or equal to 550 are exempt from all remedial and developmental coursework in reading, and do not need to take a reading placement test. These students should confer with their academic advisors and enroll in the appropriate college-level courses.

2. All students who completed BOTH high school English and History in their junior year with course grades of B or better are exempt from remedial and developmental coursework in reading, and do not need to take a reading placement test. These students should confer with their academic advisors and enroll in the appropriate college-level courses.

3. Students who fail to meet either of the two exemption criteria above are REQUIRED to take a reading placement test. Students who achieve a score greater than or equal to 72 ARE NOT required to enroll in any remedial or developmental coursework in reading, and should confer with their academic advisors and enroll in the appropriate college-level courses. Students who score below 72 on the reading placement test ARE REQUIRED to enroll in READ 102, "College Reading and Study Skills Improvement".

New Policy Regarding Completion of Required Remedial and/or Developmental Coursework in Reading

Fall 2008 students:
Students who are required to enroll in a developmental reading course in fall 2008 on the basis of their placement test score are encouraged to enroll in READ 102, "College Reading and Study Skills Improvement" during their first semester, and they MUST satisfactorily complete this course within their first year of enrollment.