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- About GCC
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- MCCCD General Info
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- Scholastic Standards
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- Student Services and Activities
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- Student Rights and Responsibilities
- Indexes
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Admission/Registration/Enrollment
Student Course Placement Process (AR 2.2.7)
The Maricopa Community Colleges are committed to providing students with opportunities for successful academic experiences. Student academic achievement is directly related to the proper initial course placement. Students are strongly urged to enroll in the courses indicated by their course placement tests. Initial course placement should be discussed with an advisor or counselor who is skilled in assessing the student's needs and factors that affect student success.
A. Testing for Course Placement
1. Students will be required to complete a course placement test under any one of the following conditions:
2. Students will be strongly encouraged to complete a course placement test under any one of the following conditions:
- The student is taking a math course and has a college-level prerequisite on file that is more than five (5) years old.
- The student is taking a college course for which English, reading or math is a prerequisite, and such credit is more than five (5) years old.
3. Students MAY be exempt from a course placement test if at least one of the following conditions apply:
- The student has earned an associate or higher degree.
- The student has earned college credits from a regionally accredited college in English, reading, and math with a grade of C or higher, and such credit is no more than five (5) years old.
- The student has currently valid district approved course placement scores on file.
Note: Being exempt from taking a course placement test does not exempt the student from fulfilling the minimum graduation requirements.
B. Course Placement
- Students will be advised for specific course enrollment based on highest test or retest scores.
- Students with test scores that fall into the range described as a "decision zone" must receive advisement to select appropriate course(s).
- Students will be permitted one re-test in English, reading or by math level after at least a 24-hour waiting period. An additional re-test is permitted one year from the date of student's original or re-test at any course placement testing site.
- The dean of student services or designee may approve re-testing for students with special needs or circumstances. The re-test date will then serve as the date of record.
- Students may request a Course Placement Waiver from the appropriate department/division chair or college designee. The signed waiver will be noted on the student's record and will be kept on file in the Office of Admissions and Records.
C. Implementation of Policy
To ensure consistency of the course placement process within the Maricopa Community Colleges:
- All colleges shall accept the same approved course placement instruments.
- All colleges shall adhere to the same approved cut-off scores.
- Course placement scores, with the exception of the reading exemption, will be valid for two years from the date of the original or re-test.
D. Evaluation
The Maricopa Community Colleges will provide an ongoing evaluation of the course placement process. An annual report shall be submitted to the Governing Board to indicate the policy's effectiveness noting the number of students assessed, their placement scores and their success in courses. Every three years a thorough review of the policy and procedures shall be implemented, including recommendations from the English, Reading and Math Instructional Councils regarding cut-off scores.
