LOUISIANA COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM

LOUISIANA COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM March 6, 2009 Changing Lives, Creating Futures Joe May System President Officers: Stephen C. Smith Chair Vincent J. St. Blanc, III First Vice Chair Michael Murphy Second Vice Chair Members: E. Edwards Barham Helen Bridges Carter Tommy Clark Keith Gamble Kathy Sellers Johnson Brett Mellington N.J. Woody Oge Dan Packer F. Mike Stone Geraldine Grissette Taylor Allen Scott Terrill Stephen Toups Student Members: Luke J. Newman Taminika Walker Louisiana Community & Technical College System 265 South Foster Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Phone: 225-922-2800 Fax: 225-922-1185 Mr. Stephen C. Smith, Chairman LCTCS Board of Supervisors 412 South Van Ave. Houma, LA 70361 Mr. Keith Gamble, Committee Chair LCTCS Board of Supervisors Audit Committee 8520 Business Park Drive Shreveport, LA 71105 Re: Admission requirements at South Louisiana Community College (SLCC), River Parish Community College (RPCC), Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC), Delgado Community College (Delgado), Nunez Community College (Nunez), and Sowela Technical Community College (Sowela). Transmitted herewith is our report on Admissions Requirements at SLCC, RPCC, BPCC, Delgado, Nunez, and Sowela. Background Internal Audit reviewed the admissions process at the above mentioned institutions to determine what is required of a prospective student enrolling at one of our community colleges. In addition, we wanted to determine the basis for these requirements. This included both students registering for traditional on-campus courses and for LCTCSOnline. In addition, we asked the colleges to provide us with any issues that they believe need to be addressed related to improving the enrollment process for the LCTCSOnline program [See Attachment A]. Scope and Objective The scope of our work included the on-campus and LCTCSOnline admissions process currently in place at the six colleges. The objective was to determine what is required of a student as part of the enrollment process and to determine what these requirements are based on. We limited our review to admissions only. We did not review the financial aid part of the enrollment process. Methodology We interviewed registrars, admissions staff, and others as necessary to obtain an understanding of, and to document the admissions process. We also reviewed admissions applications and applicable laws and policies. We performed no audit work on the information provided and express no opinion on such. www.lctcs.edu 1

Observations: As a result of our meetings with admissions and registrar staff at the colleges, we determined that there are four things that the prospective student must provide based on state law, regents policy and/or System policy. These four things are (1) academic records, (2) placement tests information, (3) immunization documentation, and (4) selective service registration documentation. Each of the colleges we reviewed stated that a student without all needed documentation may be enrolled on a provisional basis. Generally, the students must provide documentation within approximately 30 days. However, all of the colleges stated that they would not remove a student from classes during the semester. If needed documentation is not provided, the student is not allowed to register for the next semester nor will the college provide a transcript for the student. Neither internal audit nor the colleges could adequately address all possibilities leading to provisional enrollment. However, we have attempted to address the more common and general issues. In this report we will address how each of the six colleges address the above four requirements. Academic Records Required for Enrollment Academic records are required by LCTCS Policies 1.004, 1.020, and 1.026 (Attachments B, C and D). Academic records are those records the institution will accept in order to verify a student s academic history and their ability to benefit. In addition, the documents may be used to determine academic eligibility such as whether or not a student is on academic probation or suspension. Further, they may be used to determine that a student has met the prerequisite requirements for a course. The documentation may also be needed to comply with federal guidelines related to satisfactory academic progress. The types of documentation that are acceptable are high school transcripts, GED certificates, COMPASS exam, ASSET exam, or college/university transcripts. For those first time students who cannot or do not provide a high school transcript or its equivalent, they may take the COMPASS exam free or the ASSET exam (Sowela) for a minimal fee. South Louisiana Community College SLCC will not enroll a prospective student unless an official copy of their high school or college transcript has been obtained. 2

River Parishes Community College RPCC will allow a student to be provisionally admitted if the student provides unofficial copies of their high school or college transcript. Bossier Parish Community College BPCC will allow a first time student to be provisionally admitted if the student indicates that they will provide a high school diploma, GED or college transcript. However, if the student is enrolling in a course with prerequisites, the school requires an unofficial college transcript prior to provisional admission. Delgado Community College Delgado will allow a first time student to be provisionally admitted if the student indicates that they will provide a high school diploma, GED or college transcript. However, if the student is enrolling in a course with prerequisites, the school requires an unofficial college transcript prior to provisional admission for advising purposes. Nunez Community College Nunez will allow a student to be provisionally admitted if the student indicates that they have a high school diploma or a GED or provides an unofficial college transcript. Sowela Technical Community College Sowela will allow a student to be provisionally admitted if the student indicates that they have a high school diploma or a GED or provides an unofficial college transcript. Academic Placement Documentation for Math and/or English Louisiana Board of Regents policy 2.18 (Attachment E) states that a student must have obtained a minimum score on their ACT/SAT, ASSET, or COMPASS exam to be placed in college level math or college level English. All of the colleges reviewed require such test scores to comply with this policy. Specifics by college for provisional enrollment are as follows: 3

South Louisiana Community College Will allow prospective student to enroll in classes other than college level math or English without the ACT/SAT or COMPASS. Will accept another college or university transcript indicating appropriate math or English courses Will allow the prospective student to enroll in remedial math or English without testing but student must take all developmental classes up to college level English or math. If a student does not have an ACT/SAT score SLCC will allow the student to take the COMPASS exam. COMPASS exam is offered five days a week free of charge. River Parishes Community College Will allow prospective student to enroll in classes other than college level math or English without the ACT/SAT or COMPASS If a student does not have an ACT/SAT score RPCC will allow the student to take the COMPASS exam. RPCC offers the COMPASS exam at three scheduled times daily at no charge to RPCC students. Individual appointments are available if these times do not work with a student s schedule. Will accept another college or university transcript indicating appropriate math or English courses. Bossier Parish Community College If a student does not have an ACT/SAT score BPCC will allow the student to take the COMPASS exam. COMPASS exam is offered free of charge and is offered everyday during the week before registration except for Sunday and every day except Friday during registration week. The COMPASS exam is offered at two scheduled times a month after registration but the student may schedule the exam on another day through the Executive Dean s Office. Will accept another college or university transcript indicating appropriate math or English courses. Delgado Community College Any student 24 years of age or younger must take the ACT, COMPASS or ASSET is used for placement of applicants whose ACT scores are 17 and below in English and Math and 16 and below in reading. If a student is 25 or older and has not taken the ACT then they must take the COMPASS exam. These exams are offered everyday during registration. After registration, they are offered once per week. All COMPASS exams are offered free of charge. Transfer students are required to take the placement assessment (COMPASS or ASSEST) or provide the appropriate ACT scores in English and math if they have not passed college-level English and Math. They are required to take the reading assessment if they have not completed at least six credits or more of academic courses. 4

A non-matriculating (non degree) student not taking English or math or taking a course without a prerequisite can take up to 11 hours Will accept another college or university transcript indicating appropriate math or English courses. Nunez Community College If a student does not have an ACT/SAT score Nunez will allow the student to take the COMPASS exam. Will allow the prospective student to enroll in the lowest level remedial math or English without testing but student must take all developmental classes up to College level English or math. COMPASS exam is offered five days a week free of charge for the first attempt. Will accept another college or university transcript indicating appropriate math or English courses. Sowela Technical Community College The ASSET exam is offered four times during the week for a fee of $20. Students planning to enroll should complete one of the following placement test requirements: ACT/SAT, COMPASS or ASSET scores Transfer students who have earned college credit in Mathematics and/or English may submit their official college transcript in lieu of testing. Will accept another college or university transcript indicating appropriate math or English courses. Selective Service Compliance with Selective Service registration is mandated by Louisiana R.S. 17:3151 which states that all students who are required to register for selective service must sign a statement stating that they have registered with selective service and provide proof of registration before being enrolled in the institution. South Louisiana Community College SLCC will not provisionally enroll a student who is required to be registered with selective service without evidence of such registration. If the student has not registered, he may register at that time on a campus computer. River Parishes Community College The student s registration is verified by RPCC using the Selective Service website. If the student has not registered, he may register at that moment on a campus computer RPCC will not provisionally enroll a student who is required to be registered with selective service without evidence of such registration. 5

Bossier Parish Community College The student s registration is verified by BPCC using the Selective Service website or the student may provide a copy of his selective service card. If the student has not registered, he may register at that moment on a campus computer If the student says he is exempt the school does not investigate. Will not provisionally enroll a student who is required to be enrolled in selective service without evidence that the individual has registered with selective service. Delgado Community College The student s registration is verified by Delgado using the Selective Service website. If the prospective student has not registered, he is provided the selective service web site address. Will not provisionally enroll a student who is required to be enrolled in selective service without evidence that the individual has registered with selective service. Nunez Community College The student s registration may be verified by Nunez using the Selective Service website. If the student has not registered, he may register at that moment on a campus computer Will not provisionally enroll a student who is required to be enrolled in selective service without evidence that the individual has registered with selective service. Sowela Technical Community College The student must provide proof of registration to the admissions office. Selective Service card or computer printout are acceptable forms of verification. If prospective student indicates that he has an exemption, he must provide a letter from selective service. Will not provisionally enroll a student who is required to be enrolled in selective service without evidence that the individual has registered with selective service. Immunization Compliance is based on Louisiana R.S. 17:170 and 17:170.1 which require a copy of immunization records or a signed waiver. If a student s enrollment is limited to correspondence courses, on-line courses, or any other courses that do not require meeting physically on-campus at the college then the student does not have to provide evidence of current immunization or sign a waiver. If such person subsequently registers for a course that meets on-campus then they must obtain immunizations or sign a waiver. 6

South Louisiana Community College SLCC will provisionally enroll an on-campus student who has not had their immunizations or who has not signed the waiver River Parishes Community College RPCC will provisionally enroll an on-campus student who has not had their immunizations or who has not signed the waiver Bossier Parish Community College BPCC will not provisionally enroll an on-campus student who has not had their immunizations or who has not signed the waiver. Delgado Community College Delgado will provisionally enroll an on-campus student who has not had their immunizations or who has not signed the waiver. Nunez Community College Nunez will provisionally enroll an on-campus student who has not had their immunizations or who has not signed the waiver. Sowela Technical Community College Sowela will provisionally enroll an on-campus student who has not had their immunizations or who has not signed the waiver. LCTCSOnline LCTCSOnline classes began on January 26, 2009. On this date there were approximately 178 students registered for classes. Of these students, 61 were in a pending status. As such, these students could not access the online class. The majority of these students were moved to active status so as not to interfere with them beginning classes. The LCTCS president, Dr. Joe May, spoke with chancellors at the six participating colleges regarding these students. Per Dr. May, he received varying answers as to why these students were in a pending status. As of February 11, 2009, LCTCSOnline had 149 students actively enrolled in 231 classes. Internal Audit asked each college to provide the reason(s) that these students were in a pending status on January 26. We compiled the answers provided by the colleges, by student, as follows: 7

South Louisiana Community College Student 1: Had not provided transcripts, application, test scores, immunizations, and selective service number Student 2: Had not provided transcripts, application, test scores, immunizations, and selective service number Student 3: Had not provided transcripts, application, test scores, or immunizations Student 4: Had not provided transcripts, application, test scores, or immunizations Student 5: Had not provided transcripts, application, test scores, immunizations, and selective service number Student 6: Had not provided transcripts, application, test scores, immunizations, and selective service number River Parishes Community College Student 1: Did not have placement scores Student 2: Did not have placement scores Student 3: Had not provided transcripts Student 4: Had not provided transcripts Student 5: Did not have prerequisite Student 6: Had not provided transcripts Student 7: Had not provided transcripts Student 8: Did not have placement scores Student 9: Had not provided transcripts Student 10: Did not have placement scores Student 11: Did not have placement scores Student 12: Had not provided transcripts Student 13: Had not provided transcripts Student 14: Had not provided transcripts Student 15: Did not have HS Diploma Student 16: Had not provided transcripts Student 17: Had not provided transcripts Bossier Parish Community College Student 1: Mistakenly enrolled for LCTCSOnline courses. The prospective student was seeking information about school and classes. Student 2: Currently on academic suspension. Student 3: Had not provided required test scores. Student 4: Had not provided proof of prerequisite. Student 5: Had not provided proof of prerequisite. 8

Delgado Community College Student 1: On suspension Student 2: Has financial obligation to the school Student 3: Had not submitted transcripts Student 4: Had not submitted transcripts Student 5: Already enrolled in on-ground equivalent Student 6: Has financial obligation to the school Student 7: On suspension Student 8: Had not submitted transcripts Student 9: Student has enrolled in on-campus developmental course Student 10: Has financial obligation to the school Student 11: Has financial obligation to the school Student 12: Had not submitted proof of prerequisites Student 13: Had not submitted transcripts Student 14: Had not submitted transcripts Student 15: Had not submitted transcripts Student 16: Had not submitted proof of prerequisites Student 17: Had not taken placement test Student 18: Had not taken placement test Nunez Community College Student 1: Did not have prerequisite or meet test score requirements for course Student 2: Did not have prerequisites Student 3: Student did not apply until January 26 Student 4: Scheduled the same class three times but was enrolled once Student 5: Enrolled on January 7 but withdrew with Nunez before start date of class. The student then re-enrolled on January 26 th and was then subsequently activated. Student 6: Student did not apply until January 26 Student 7: Applied on January 21 st and was activated with all students who were activated on January 26 th. Sowela Technical Community College Student 1: Did not have GED scores or placement test scores Student 2: Did not have high school transcript or placement test scores Student 3: Did not have high school transcript, placement test scores, LTC transcript Student 4: Did not have high school transcript or placement test scores Student 5: No information provided to the campus Student 6: Did not have placement test scores Student 7: No information provided to the campus Student 8: Did not have GED scores Subsequent to the start of our work, Sowela was notified by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) that participating in LCTCSOnline would be considered a substantive change. Those students participating in LCTCSOnline at Sowela had their home campus changed to BPCC. 9

On March 3, 2009, Dr. Mary Beth Susman, Executive Director of LCTCS Online, held a meeting with registrars and enrollment staff from the participating colleges to address their concerns. This meeting allowed the colleges to make recommendations to improve the enrollment process for LCTCSOnline. Dr. Susman informed internal audit that she is scheduling a meeting in April with chief academic officers and faculty to address any issues related to the delivery of courses. We suggest that the appropriate staff continue to address enrollment issues to provide for consistent enrollment processes for both LCTCSOnline and on-campus students. The online enrollment process should include assigning responsibility to someone for monitoring the status of LCTCSOnline students so that issues are identified timely. This could help avoid having 34% of the prospective students in pending status on the first day of classes. We appreciate the assistance provided by management. If you have any questions or concerns, please phone Internal Audit at 225-922-2571. Sincerely, Allen F. Brown, CPA, CFE Copies: Dr. Joe D. May, President, LCTCS Jan Jackson, Sr Vice President for Administration and Finance, LCTCS Dr. Jan Brobst, Chancellor, SLCC Dr. Joe Ben Welch, Chancellor, RPCC Tom Carlton, Chancellor, BPCC Dr. Ron Wright, Chancellor, Delgado Community College Dr. Thomas Warner, Chancellor, Nunez Community College Dr. Andrea Lewis Miller, Chancellor, Sowela Dr. Mary Beth Susman, Executive Director, LCTCSOnline Registrars at Colleges Contacted 10

Attachment A Review of Admission Requirements LCTCSOnline Each of the currently participating colleges was asked to provide a listing of their suggestions and concerns to improve the enrollment process of LCTCSOnline. Their suggestions and concerns are listed below. General 1. We need a process for notifications when a student changes enrollment from one college to another. 2. Home colleges were faced with unrealistic 24 to 48 hour turn-around for those with incomplete documents and limited by the availability and accuracy of application information (SharePoint files). 3. Home colleges did not receive information related to a student adding a course. 4. Add / drop information is received for all students without identifying the home college. 5. In some cases, students were unaware of additional course fees and were unclear as to how to access course information. 6. How will the home colleges handle students who were counted in the 14 th class day but never paid tuition nor participated in the class? 7. How will the home colleges obtain information related to whether or not the student has attended another college or colleges? Financial Aid & Bursar 8. Financial aid is unable to provide funding quickly enough for students. 9. Book Vouchers issued by their institution are not valid at the LCTCSOnline bookstore. 10. There is no defined payment and purge date. 11. Without the student s academic credentials we were unable to determine financial aid eligibility. 12. Manual adjustments were required in the bursar s office because tuition rates charged for online courses versus onsite courses differed. 11

Admissions 13. How will the home colleges comply with System and Board of Regents policies requiring placement testing for students taking math and/or English? 14. The application does not capture everything needed. Additional required fields are needed that do not allow students to skip or leave blank. 15. A complete and consistent process should be in place regarding obtaining proper and complete documentation from students. 16. An increase in human resources was required to deal with enrolling online students. Other 17. The home colleges have no way of knowing if a student is actually participating in the class other than contacting each instructor. 18. In some cases the home college has attempted to contact the student to obtain needed information; however, these attempts have not been successful. Does the college drop the student from the class? In some cases the student may not have taken the class and the college is wasting its time with the contact attempts. 19. How will the home colleges obtain timely information related to whether or not the student has met the prerequisites for the course they are registered in? Does the home college remove the student from the class if information is obtained indicating the student has not met prerequisites? What does the college do if this information is never received? 20. Are online students required to meet the same prerequisites as on campus students? 21. Colleges need the ability to contact instructors, view the course syllabus or view assignments. 22. LCTCSOnline had a different start date from the on campus students. Colleges will have to adjust student information systems for delayed starts. 23. Grade reporting process has not been communicated to the home colleges, nor has an appeal process been defined. 24. Will I (incomplete) grades be allowed? 25. During the registration process some students registered multiple times. 26. Students are contacting the home college with their questions when they should be informed to contact an individual with LCTCSOnline. 27. Difficult to provide academic advising to students for whom we do not have complete information. 28. A common application for LCTCSOnline and on-campus 12

LOUISIANA COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM Policy # 1.004 Title: General Admissions Policy Statement for First Time Freshmen Authority: Board Action Original Date: 10/10/01 Effective Date: 10/10/01 Last Revision: Initial All the institutions comprising the Louisiana Community and Technical College System have an open admission policy as established by the Louisiana Legislature and approved by the Board of Regents. Anyone with a high school diploma from a state approved high school or a GED (General Education Diploma) is eligible for admission. Prospective certificate or degree seeking students without a high school diploma or its equivalent are also eligible for admission upon demonstration of the ability to benefit in accordance with the institution s criteria. All eligible persons are assured equal opportunity for admission without regard to ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran s status. Certain programs within the institutions may require additional admission standards in order to achieve program or industry accreditation standards. 13

LOUISIANA COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM Policy # 1.020 Title: ACADEMIC STATUS Authority: Board Action Original Adoption: 12/12/01 Effective Date: Fall 2003 Last Revision: March 10, 2004 Note: This policy recommendation was an outgrowth of the LCTCS Board of Supervisors December 1999 directive to the LCTCS community colleges relative to a consistent Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards policy. Academic Probation, Suspension, and Re-admission Regulations There are three categories of academic status: academic good standing, academic probation and academic suspension. Students will receive official notification of academic status. Such notice is not a prerequisite to students being placed in one of the above categories. Institutions will attempt via registered mail or other confirmed written or electronic means to inform students of any changes in academic status. Students have the responsibility to ascertain their academic status prior to the beginning of the next enrollment period. Specific institutions or programs within the institutions may set higher academic status rules subject to approval of LCTCS Board of Supervisors. Academic Status Determination for Transfer Students A student who transfers to an LCTCS institution with an adjusted cumulative grade point average of 2.000 or higher will be admitted in good standing. A transfer student with less than a 2.000 adjusted cumulative grade point average will be admitted on probation. (No student will be placed on probation until he/she has attempted at least 15 semester hours). If the student earns a semester grade point average of 2.000 or higher during the first semester of enrollment, the student s academic status will be based on the cumulative grade point average of the current institution. If the student fails to achieve a semester grade point average of 2.000 or higher, the student will be suspended for one semester. (No student will be suspended before he/she has attempted at least 24 semester hours). Definitions Quality Hours: Quality hours are those credit hours for which a student registers and receives a grade of A - F. Credit courses for which a student receives a grade of P, CR, and S are included in earned hours, but not quality hours. Courses for which students register, but later withdraw with a grade of W are included in attempted hours, but not quality hours. 14

Cumulative Quality Hours: Cumulative quality hours are all hours for which a student has registered and received a final grade of A - F at the college as well as all quality hours accepted in transfer (including hours that would have been accepted had the student not earned a grade of F). Adjusted Quality Hours: Adjusted quality hours are those credit hours for which a student registers and receives a grade of A- F at the home institution, excluding those credit hours removed from the calculation of the student s grade point average through a repeat/delete policy and/or those credit hours removed through Academic Amnesty. Adjusted Cumulative Grade Point Average (adj cum GPA): This GPA is adjusted to exclude those quality hours and grades which have been removed from the calculation of a student s grade point average through a repeat/delete policy and/or Academic Amnesty. This adjusted cumulative grade point average will include grades earned at the home institution and is used to determine a student s academic status. Academic Probation: Students will be placed on academic probation whenever their adjusted cumulative grade point averages fall below the institution s established scale. Once on academic probation, a student will remain on probation (as long as each semester average is at least a 2.000) until the adjusted cumulative grade point average of 2.000 or higher is achieved. Individual institutions are encouraged to provide academic advising and/or intervention for these students. Once an adjusted cumulative GPA of 2.000 or higher is achieved, a student will be removed from probation. Institutions may establish a scale at or above the minimum academic standard stated below: LCTCS Minimum Academic Standard Adjusted Cumulative GPA at Which Quality Hours Attempted Adjusted Cumulative Student is Place on Probation 15-20 1.540 or less 21-30 1.640 or less 31-40 1.740 or less 41-50 1.840 or less 51-60 1.940 or less 61-70 1.970 or less 71-80 1.999 or less No student will be placed on probation until he/she has attempted at least 15 semester hours nor suspended before he/she has attempted at least 24 semester hours. 15

Academic Suspension Students who are on academic probation and who fail to achieve a semester grade point average of at least a 2.000 will be suspended for one semester. If a student is suspended at the conclusion of a spring semester, the student is suspended for the following fall semester. If a student is suspended at the conclusion of a fall semester, the student is suspended for the following spring semester. Enrollment During a Suspension Period A student who is currently on suspension from any college or university may appeal to enroll at an LCTCS institution. Credits earned by student while on suspension may or may not be accepted toward a degree or certificate. Individual colleges and universities determine whether students will be awarded credit for courses taken while on suspension. Therefore, all students on suspension should confer with transfer institutions prior to enrolling to determine specific college regulations. 16

LOUISIANA COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM Policy # 1.026 Title: TITLE IV FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS STANDARDS Authority: Board Action Original Adoption: 12/12/01 Effective Date: 12/12/01 Last Revision: Initial Federal Guidelines require that each institution establish a satisfactory academic progress (SAP) policy that includes a quantitative component, a qualitative component and a time frame. The policy also must include provisions for an appeal procedure. Students must be given a copy of the institutions SAP policy when aid is awarded. Each institution within the Louisiana Community and Technical College System will develop a policy following these federal guidelines and submit a copy of the policy to the System staff for review. When an institution modifies its SAP policy, it will immediately provide the Board staff with a copy of the revisions and the rationale for the revisions. A statement of the anticipated impact on student eligibility will also be provided. 17

Minimum Requirements for Placement Into Entry-Level, College-Level Mathematics and... http://www.regents.state.la.us/academic/pp/policies/2-18.html Page 1 of 2 3/6/2009 Division of Academic & Student Affairs P.O. Box 3677, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3677 phone 225.342.4253 fax 225.342.6926 Academic Affairs Policy 2.18 Minimum Requirements for Placement Into Entry-Level, College-Level Mathematics and English Revised June 23, 2005 - New or changed text indicated by underline Amended March 5, 2007 Amended April, 2007 A. Purpose This policy is designed to: B. Scope establish clear and consistent goals for the level of academic achievement expected of high school students in two subject areas fundamental to success in college; encourage high school students to improve their academic preparation for college; increase the retention and graduation rates of students; bolster the quality and coherence of academic degrees; provide greater similarity of educational experience across a variety of institutions; facilitate the transfer of academic credit between institutions. Requirements of this policy establish uniform standards and procedures for the placement of students in entry-level, college-level courses in Mathematics and English that can be applied toward the following academic undergraduate degrees: Certificate of Applied Science (CAS), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), Associate (A), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS), Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), and Bachelor (B). C. General Consideration A college or university may not establish minimum scores for entry-level, college-level Mathematics or English courses that are higher or lower than those set forth below; however, an institution may require further assessment of students who already meet required minimums to determine their final placement in entry-level, college-level courses in Mathematics and English. D. Requirements for Placement into Entry-Level, College-Level Mathematics - Effective Fall, 2008* 1. To enroll in an entry-level, college-level Mathematics course designed to fulfill general education requirements of undergraduate academic degrees (listed in B. above), a student must attain a minimum score of either: 18

Minimum Requirements for Placement Into Entry-Level, College-Level Mathematics and... http://www.regents.state.la.us/academic/pp/policies/2-18.html Page 2 of 2 3/6/2009 a. 19 on the Mathematics section of the American College Test (ACT); or b. 460-470 on the Quantitative portion of the College Board s Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT-1); or c. 30 on the College Algebra section/36 on the Algebra section/56 on the College Pre- Algebra section of the COMPASS Mathematics test; or d. 33 on the College Algebra section/38 on the Intermediate Algebra section/42 on the Elementary Algebra section/44 on the Numerical Skills portion of the ASSET Mathematics tests. 2. In lieu of the above, a college or university may institute its own alternate placement system, but such a system must be validated. A valid placement system is governed by the principle that students shall meet, at a minimum, the same level of academic achievement as would have been defined by equivalent scores on the ACT and SAT-1. The validity of an alternate placement system shall be determined by the Board of Regents Division of Academic & Student Affairs. E. Requirements for Placement into Entry-Level, College-Level English - Effective Fall, 2005 1. To enroll in an entry-level, college-level English course designed to fulfill general education requirements of undergraduate academic degrees (listed in B. above), a student must attain a minimum score of either: a. 18 on the English section of the American College Test (ACT); or b. 450 on the Verbal portion of the College Board s Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT- 1); or c. 68 on the COMPASS Writing Test; or d. 44 on the ASSET Writing Skills Test. 2. In lieu of the above, a college or university may institute its own alternate placement system, but such a system must be validated. A valid placement system is governed by the principle that students shall meet, at a minimum, the same level of academic achievement as would have been defined by equivalent scores on the ACT and SAT-1. The validity of an alternate placement system shall be determined by the Board of Regents Division of Academic & Student Affairs. * Mathematics placement standards shall remain as previously stated in the March 7, 2007 edition of this policy through Summer, 2009. Thereafter, new standards as contained in this edition shall apply. Page last modified: 02/16/2009 19