LEARNING SUPPORT PROGRAMS
FY1991 - FY1998

Developmental Studies programs began in Fall 1974 as a means of bringing the reading, English, and mathematical skills of marginally prepared students up to standard. In 1993, Developmental Studies policy and procedures were revised and Developmental Studies programs were included under a broader Learning Support (LS) structure. LS programs serve students who need preparation in reading, mathematics, English, and/or other areas for success in college. Students who do not meet standards for regular admission are required to take the appropriate part(s) of the Collegiate Placement Exam or COMPASS exam to determine whether they are to be placed in LS courses. In admissions, placement, and exit requirements, institutions may set higher standards than required by the System. No degree credit may be earned in LS courses, but institutional credit is awarded. LS programs may serve three groups of students:

  1. Students required to take LS courses because they are below System minimum requirements for placement (430 SAT-Verbal or 400 SAT-Math or CPC English or CPC Math);
  2. Students who are above the System minimum requirements but are required by the institution to take LS courses or other courses;
  3. Students who volunteer to take LS courses to prepare for regular college courses.

Learning Support Requirements
1998 High School Graduates as First-Time College Freshmen, Fall 1998

Institution Number of First-
Time Freshmen
Number with any
LS Requirement*
Percent with any
LS Requirement*
Number Below
System Minima
Percent Below
System Minima
Georgia Institute of Tech. 2,164 5 0.2 5 0.2
Georgia State University 1,438 11 0.8 2 0.1
Medical College of Georgia 0 0 0.0 0 0.0
University of Georgia 4,232 621 14.7 20 0.5
University Total 7,834 637 8.1 27 0.3
Georgia Southern Univ. 2,736 1,079 39.4 360 13.2
Valdosta State University 1,217 13 1.1 12 1.0
Regional University Total 3,953 1,092 27.6 372 9.4
Albany State University 442 245 55.4 245 55.4
Armstrong Atlantic State Univ. 471 205 43.5 147 31.2
Augusta State University 676 209 30.9 127 18.8
Clayton College & State Univ. 405 203 50.1 102 25.2
Columbus State University 672 126 18.8 125 18.6
Fort Valley State University 401 283 70.6 283 70.6
Georgia College & State Univ. 670 152 22.7 62 9.3
Georgia Southwestern State Univ. 237 50 21.1 42 17.7
Kennesaw State University 977 291 29.8 48 4.9
North Ga. College & State Univ. 575 87 15.1 27 4.7
Savannah State University 226 151 66.8 148 65.5
Southern Polytechnic State Univ. 369 0 0.0 0 0.0
State University of West Georgia 1,580 600 38.0 381 24.1
State University Total 7,701 2,602 33.8 1,737 22.6
Dalton State College 525 216 41.1 191 36.4
Macon State College 335 184 54.9 120 35.8
State College Total 860 400 46.5 311 36.2
Abraham Baldwin Agric. College 640 267 41.7 266 41.6
Atlanta Metropolitan College 156 117 75.0 117 75.0
Bainbridge College 123 78 63.4 75 61.0
Coastal Georgia Community College 137 7 5.1 6 4.4
Darton College 398 214 53.8 195 49.0
East Georgia College 265 203 76.6 189 71.3
Floyd College 347 220 63.4 146 42.1
Gainesville College 577 323 56.0 236 40.9
Georgia Perimeter College 1,281 764 59.6 500 39.0
Gordon College 682 288 42.2 285 41.8
Middle Georgia College 475 228 48.0 201 42.3
South Georgia College 275 134 48.7 129 46.9
Waycross College 121 51 42.1 39 32.2
Two-Year College Total 5,477 2,894 52.8 2,384 43.5
SYSTEM TOTAL 25,825 7,625 29.5 4,831 18.7

*  The columns representing "any LS requirement" include students who were required to take LS courses because they fell below System minima, students who were required to take LS courses because they fell below institutional minima, and a small number of students (304) who volunteered to be placed in LS courses.

Sources: The Policy Manual; Academic Affairs Handbook; Learning Support Administrative Procedures; Student Information Reporting System

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Information Digest 1998-1999
©December 1999 University System of Georgia