College Level Academic Skills (CLAS) Waiver

(As of September 15, 2009)
(Replaced CLAST PROFICIENCY WAIVER July 2009)
(Interim process subject to change; please check this site frequently for updates.)

Minimum Criteria for Waiver Consideration:

1. At least 2.0 average in related courses used to meet relevant Gordon Rule requirement
2. Overall FSU GPA of 2.0 (in good academic standing)

Alternative Waiver Methods:

1. Four attempts to pass an alternative college-level nationally standardized test (or subtest) in mathematics or English skills, e.g., ACT, SAT, ACCUPLACER (CPT). (A student applying for a waiver based on this criterion must demonstrate that s/he has sought assistance from a tutor, the Math Help Center, the Reading Writing Center, or some other credible source of academic assistance. A note from the tutor or other credible documentation must be provided.) For the purposes of meeting this requirement, the SAT and/or ACT will count as one attempt each, regardless of the number of times the student actually retested. or
2. Four attempts to reach the exemption-level GPA (2.5) in relevant math/English coursework. or
3. English as second language for English course-performance deficiencies.

Use CLAS Proficiency Process as Last Resort

1. Associate/Assistant Deans must work with student directly or monitor the situation to ensure that every effort has been made to earn a 2.5 average in English/Math courses or passing scores on tests before petitioning for a waiver.
2. Paperwork should be checked carefully to ensure that required information is present.

Format for Requesting

1. Memo
   • Student full name
   • Specific academic area identified
2. Attachments
   • Transcript (with relevant courses highlighted)
   • Documentation of demonstrated effort to pass tests, for waiver method #1. Note that documentation must include verification from some source external to the student (e.g. note from Math Help Center or tutor, etc.).
   • Official test scores, for waiver method #1.
   • Center for Intensive English (or equivalent) documentation for waiver method #3.

References = 1007.25(12) F.S.

Exemption Options (Subject to final approval via BOG Regulation)
NOTE: Until a BOG regulation is approved formally, exemption methods in bold will not be able to be implemented. Consult with Jennifer Buchanan in these cases regarding a waiver. For now, only existing CLAST exemptions will apply.

1. Earn a passing score on an alternative nationally standardized test (or subtest) in college-level mathematics or English skills:
   • SAT-1 Math = 500+
   • SAT-1 Critical Reading and Writing = 500+
   • ACT Math = 21+
   • ACT Reading = 22+
   • ACT English = 21+
   • ACCUPLACER (CPT) Math = 91+
   • ACCUPLACER (CPT) Reading = 93+
   • ACCUPLACER (CPT) Writing = 105+
2. Earn a 2.5 GPA in two courses related to the academic area relevant to the skill area in question:
   • English Language, Essay, Reading = One course used to meet Gordon Rule requirement (ENC 1101 or ENC 1102) plus any other Gordon Rule communication course, except for courses with an SPC prefix.
   • Math = Any combination of two Gordon-Rule approved mathematics courses.
3. Course credit for a combination of AP, IB, or CLEP examinations. (Exam scores that qualify the student for two courses worth of credit will meet the CLAS requirement; students who earn credit for only one English/Math course must meet the CLAS GPA requirement (2.5 average in relevant courses) through grade(s) in the remaining course.

Note: Under the new procedures, students’ transcripts will be coded as follows: 995 = exemption and 999 = waiver (proficiency and disability)

Questions?
Deans, faculty, and staff, please call Dr. Jennifer Buchanan, Associate Dean of the Faculties, at 644-6876 or jbuchanan@admin.fsu.edu.

Students, please contact your academic dean's office and Michael McKeown at 644-7121 or mmckeown@admin.fsu.edu.

September 16 , 2009