Placement, Proficiencies and Policies

Placement, Proficiencies and Policies

Carrie Ahern, Dir of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment

January 11, 2010

Today’s PresentationToday’s Presentation

Math and English course placement for incoming students

Course completion policies

Proficiency Testing

Student’s Course Placement: Traditional FreshmenStudent’s Course Placement: Traditional Freshmen

Initial Course Placement in English, Math, and Reading Based on ACT or SAT Scores OR Computerized Placement Test Scores (COMPASS)

Handouts: ACT and COMPASS Placement Scores FAQ on Placement testing

ACTs and SATs: valid for 5 years

Student’s Course Placement: Transfers Student’s Course Placement: Transfers

Checksheet- Registrar equates previous coursework to DSU courses

Must have all official transcripts into Enrollment Services!

Note: If equivalent courses not completed- will use ACTs and/ or COMPASS test

Course Placement ReportCourse Placement Report

Examples: ACT Reading 15: Register for LART 110

ACT English 18: Register for English 101

ACT Math 17: Register for Math 021

Challenging PlacementChallenging Placement

Students are allowed one challenge to their ACT placement using the COMPASS

COMPASS: online ACT Study material online –copies available at the Office of

Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment (OIEA) Contact OIEA to schedule time

How do students receive this information? How do students receive this information?

Registration Sessions Sandy and Carrie present the information

Students receive a Course Placement Report before they register for their first semester

Students receive an FAQ in their registration packet

Advisors receive copies of Course Placement Reports

Pre-General Education Courses – Course CompletionPre-General Education Courses – Course Completion

Pre-General Education Courses: MATH 021, MATH 101 and ENGL 033 “RS / RU” grades for 000-level courses

System Rules: Successfully complete within first 30 ATTEMPTED

regental credits Otherwise, registration hold (CPG1) on student’s

Colleague record Flashing yellow – warning to student / advisor Can’t register through WebAdvisor

Pre-General Education Courses – Course CompletionPre-General Education Courses – Course Completion

System Rules: Successfully complete within first 42 ATTEMPTED

regental credit hours Otherwise, registration hold (CPG2) on student’s

Colleague record Moved to special student (non-degree seeking) status Not eligible for financial aid or athletics Register only for pre-general education courses.

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How do students receive this information? How do students receive this information?

Complete online pre-general education form

E-mail reminders from the OIEA

Advisors are copied on the e-mails

CPG1 hold list sent to DSU-Records Note

Proficiency Testing Proficiency Testing

SD regental system policy: ACT CAAP- Reading, Writing, Math and Science Reasoning tests

For associate degree-seeking students: completion of 32 credit hours at or above 100 level

For baccalaureate degree-seeking students: completion of 48 credit hours at or above 100 level

Handouts: FAQ on proficiency testing

Proficiency Testing Proficiency Testing

Main campus undergraduate classes cancelled One day in the Fall- first two weeks of November One day in the Spring- last two weeks of March

Faculty and staff conduct review sessions Practice tests available for students Online material to study prior to testing

Students can request a one semester deferment Students who “skip” the test are suspended for two

terms

Proficiency Testing Proficiency Testing

Students must meet minimum score on each test

If they do not, will retest in the specific area (e.g. Reading)

Develop remediation plan with campus remediation advisor

Retake 2 times (total of three chances)

Alternate certification:Demonstrate Proficiency Alternate certification:Demonstrate Proficiency

Alternate certification: for students who do not pass the third time

To be eligible for the process MUST have retested MUST have worked with remediation advisor

Four DSU faculty review student‘s alternate certification (e.g. portfolio)

If student passes, can register for next term If student doesn’t pass, must retake proficiency test and pass

before allowed to register

How do students receive this information? How do students receive this information?

E-mail notifications from the OIEA Numerous e-mails for first time testers Numerous e-mails to students eligible for deferment

Advisors are copied on the e-mails

Athletic office receives complete list of all first-time testers

How do students receive this information? How do students receive this information?

Students who do not pass the first time testing:

Letter from OIEA CPF hold on Colleague Must sign acknowledgement form before hold is lifted Numerous contacts from remediation advisor Academic advisor receives copies of all notifications OIEA notifies student of next test session

Three-Strike RuleThree-Strike Rule

Limit on number of times student may enroll in course without earning credit

Counts all attempts (“W”, failing grades, transfer courses and repeats) except audit

WebAdvisor hold Appeal process – VPAA

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Resources Resources

Websites:

http://www.dsu.edu/academics/assessment/testing-services/index.aspx

FAQs: online and printed Contact Office of Institutional Effectiveness and

Assessment: 256-5101

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Questions and suggestionsQuestions and suggestions