Answering Student Questions about STAY

“I don’t want to do the STAY program. I’m going to go somewhere else.”

  • At other schools, developmental education is an afterthought. Underpaid part-time instructors, uncoordinated programs, and high failure rates are what you’ll find there. Here, we have put together a structured, student-centered program specifically designed for students with gaps in math, reading or writing to develop the skills they need quickly so they can be successful in their classes and graduate from ASC.
  • Students have multiple options for testing out of the STAY program:
    • Test prep and retaking the Accuplacer tests
    • Summer Courses for Reading, Writing, and Math 097 and 099 June15-July 30
    • One-on-one tutoring in the Grizzly Testing and Learning Center (GTLC) during summer session classes
    • Summer Scholars 3 week intensive summer courses in July for those who qualify

“Why do I have to pay extra fees for these courses?”

  • The $30 fee per class pays for seminars and small group instruction. Notice that the class meets four hours a week, but students only pay tuition for a three-hour class. Instead of paying full tuition for the additional seminar, the much smaller fee offsets the additional costs to provide these services.

“I want more choices - this schedule limits me and I can’t take the gen ed that I want."

  • Our data shows that Psych 101 and other popular courses have a high failure rate for students with test scores below 19. Instead of setting students up for failure, we’ll sign you up for that course in January instead so you can focus on the necessary skills now to be ready to succeed then.
  • Some students are confused by so many choices. By taking a structured schedule, students get the benefit of knowing all their classes will fit together, because they were designed that way: student-centered design for maximum student success.

“I don’t have all my test scores yet, but I'd like my schedule now.”

  • We can at least get you signed up for the 11:00 Academic Skills course to get your schedule started, and as we get the rest of your placement scores we can build your schedule from there.

Don't give first-time freshmen their pin.

  • If you notice a student asking to drop STAY courses, deny them their pin and refer them to Debbie Owen.

“I have to have a job to stay in school, so I need a more flexible schedule.”

  • If you’ve got to work the part-time job, maybe you should be on a part-time schedule. You can get part-time financial aid with 6 credits.
  • “You’ve come to a crossroads, and now you have to determine if the short term gain of a part-time minimum wage job is more important than the long term goal of a degree/being in college.”
  • All day Friday is open if you are passing your courses.