Transitional Studies Progression Policy
The purpose of this policy is to establish clear expectations for student progress, retention, and advancement within Columbia Basin College Transitional Studies programs, including:
- English Language Acquisition (ELA)
- GED Preparation (English and Spanish)
- High School+ (HS+)
- College Skills Building (CSB)
This policy supports student success while ensuring compliance with Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) Basic Education for Adults (BEdA) requirements.
General Expectations for All Students
To maintain satisfactory status in Transitional Studies, students must:
- Attend and actively participate in scheduled classes and learning activities.
- Demonstrate measurable academic progress toward educational goals.
- Complete required assessments and testing activities.
- Maintain communication with instructors and staff.
- Meet program-specific requirements outlined below.
Students who fail to make satisfactory progress may be subject to intervention, probation, temporary stop-out, or dismissal from the program.
English Language Acquisition (ELA)
Satisfactory Progress
Students enrolled in ELA must:
- Attend classes regularly.
- Maintain no more than eight absences per quarter.
- Complete all required CASAS assessments.
- Participate in classroom activities and assignments.
- Demonstrate measurable skill gains through:
- CASAS score improvement,
- Educational Functioning Level (EFL) advancement,
- Completion of course outcomes,
- Demonstrated English language proficiency growth.
Online ELA Students
Students enrolled in online ELA must:
- Maintain a minimum overall Canvas grade of 70%.
- Meet participation requirements at the 10th, 20th, 30th, and 40th instructional day checkpoints.
- Complete assigned coursework and online activities.
Intervention
Students who are not making satisfactory progress will:
- Receive a written warning.
- Meet with a retention specialist.
- Develop a success plan.
Failure to improve may result in withdrawal and a required stop-out period of one quarter before re-enrollment.
GED Preparation (English and Spanish)
Satisfactory Progress
Students enrolled in GED Preparation must:
- Maintain at least 70% attendance (Both In-Person & Online).
- Actively participate in class activities.
- Complete assigned coursework.
- Complete required practice and official assessments, including GED Ready and Official GED tests when assigned.
- Demonstrate measurable academic progress through:
- GED Ready score improvement,
- Course completion,
- Demonstrated mastery of GED subject competencies by passing GED practice tests.
Advancement to Official GED Testing
Students may be referred for official GED testing when they meet program-established readiness benchmarks, including minimum GED Ready scores established by the department.
Intervention
Students who fail to maintain attendance or academic progress may:
- Receive a warning notice.
- Meet with Retention Specialist
- Be placed on a success plan.
Students who continue to show insufficient progress may be withdrawn and required to demonstrate readiness before re-entry.
High School+ (HS+)
Satisfactory Progress
Students enrolled in HS+ must:
- Maintain active participation in their educational plan.
- Complete assigned coursework and competencies.
- Meet regularly with instructors and advisors as required.
- Make measurable progress toward diploma completion.
Progress may be demonstrated through:
- Completion of course competencies,
- Awarding of high school credits,
- Completion of graduation requirements,
- Postsecondary transition milestones.
Students who do not actively engage for one quarter may be subject to program review.
Graduation Progress Review
Students will periodically review their educational plans with faculty or staff to ensure timely completion of diploma requirements.
College Skills Building (CSB)
Satisfactory Progress
Students enrolled in CSB must:
- Maintain at least 70% attendance.
- Participate in instructional activities.
- Complete required coursework and assessments.
- Demonstrate academic skill development in reading, writing, mathematics, digital literacy, or college readiness.
Progress may be demonstrated through:
- CASAS gains,
- Course completion,
- Achievement of learning outcomes,
- Advancement to college-level coursework.
Transition Expectations
Students reaching college-ready skill levels will be encouraged to transition into college-level coursework, workforce training, I-BEST pathways, or certificate and degree programs.
Repeat Enrollment
Students must demonstrate measurable academic progress each quarter to continue enrollment.
Consistent with SBCTC guidance, students may not enroll in the same Transitional Studies course more than three times without approval from the Dean, Director or designee. Additional enrollments may require a review of barriers, academic progress, and an individualized success plan.
Notification Process
Students who are not making satisfactory progress will receive:
First Notice
- Written warning from instructor or program staff.
Second Notice
- Meeting with instructor, advisor, retention specialist, or program supervisor.
- Development of a success plan.
Final Notice
- Review by program administration.
- Possible withdrawal, stop-out period, or enrollment restrictions.
Transition Services
Students reaching their educational goals or highest instructional level will be connected to:
- College admissions and enrollment services.
- Financial aid and funding resources.
- Workforce and career services.
- I-BEST pathways.
- Certificate and degree programs.
- Community employment resources.
Definition of Measurable Academic Progress
For purposes of this policy, measurable academic progress may include:
- CASAS score gains.
- Educational Functioning Level advancement.
- Completion of course outcomes.
- High school credit attainment.
- GED Ready score gains.
- GED completion.
- Postsecondary credit attainment.
- Transition into workforce training or college-level coursework.
