Chipola announces CLAST changes

MARIANNA--Chipola College officials recently announced changes
to the College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) program.
      The 2009 Florida Legislature has repealed the requirement to pass
the "College Level Communication and Mathematics Skills Examination"
(CLAST) in order to be awarded an Associate in Arts degree effective
July 1, 2009.
      In order to demonstrate continuing concern for institutional
accountability and effectiveness, as well as performance standards for
student learning outcomes, the Legislature maintained the current CLAST
alternatives as degree requirements.
     All community college students who are completing an Associate in
Arts (AA) Degree and are applying for admission to upper division
(junior and senior level) programs in Florida state colleges and
universities must meet one of the required CLAST alternatives.
University students who are completing their sophomore year also must
meet the same requirements.
      There are presently four CLAST Testing Alternatives:
1. Students who have earned a 2.5 GPA in both Communications Skills I &
II (ENC 1101 & 1102) or its equivalent, may be exempt from the Reading,
English Language Skills, and Essay sections of the CLAST. Students who
have earned a 2.5 GPA in two 3-credit-hour Gordon Rule mathematics
courses have met the CLAST Alternative for the Mathematics section of
the CLAST.
2. Alternatives via American College Testing Program (ACT):
Math - Achieve 21 or above on the Math subtest of the ACT.
Reading - Achieve 22 or above on the Reading subtest of the ACT.
English Language Skills and Essay - Achieve 21 or above on the English
subtest of the ACT
3.    Alternatives via Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT-I):
Math - Achieve 500 or above to meet Math requirement.
Verbal - Achieve 500 or above to meet Reading, English Language Skills
and Essay requirements
4.    Alternatives via waiver by committee for students with documented
specific learning disabilities.
      If a student does not qualify for one of the CLAST alternatives,
the Associate in Arts (AA) degree will not be granted and admission to
upper division status at Florida state colleges and universities may be
denied.
      CLAST requirements also apply to students transferring to Florida
state colleges and universities from private colleges in Florida and
from out-of-state colleges and universities.
      All CLAST alternatives must be approved by the Dean of Enrollment
Services.
      For questions about Chipola's CLAST alternatives, call
850-718-2271.