4055 - Policy on New Student Assessment and Individualized Program Planning

WHEREAS WCC is committed to both open access and academic excellence, and to providing the best match of student abilities and institutional offerings, and

WHEREAS WCC believes in the importance of having all its students demonstrate proficiencies in reading, writing, and mathematics to meet their educational and career goals, and

WHEREAS WCC endorses a student success approach to education through an orientation, assessment and student progress system.

THEREFORE be it resolved that:

1. All entry students starting college for the first time and taking credit bearing courses will receive as part of the orientation process a basic skills assessment that normally would include, but not limited to, a testing component. The student may also provide a high school transcript and demonstrate basic skills competency based on cumulative grade point average (GPA).
2. Student groups exempt from the basic skills assessment requirement would include:
   1. Students who have previously earned a college degree from an English speaking college/university, or those who have earned a substantial number (15+) of college credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 ("C" average).
   2. Students only taking enrichment courses, or other courses not requiring a substantial level of basic skills proficiency.
   3. Students who are enrolled in a contract training course or program.</li.
   4. Students applying to the College as a guest student from their home institution and are in good standing.
3. Handicapped or learning-disabled students, with a documented disability, who do not have the capacity to undertake a traditional test format will be given reasonable accommodations, according to ADA guidelines, to ensure that the maximum opportunity for success is provided.
4. WCC students with a cumulative GPA of less than 2.00 (2.0 = "C" average) and seeking to register for college credit courses must meet with an advisor for recommendations on course selection and/or credit restrictions.
5. As needed, based on the student’s academic readiness, students will be advised into the appropriate reading, writing, and/or mathematics courses. These placements standards will be established in consultation with faculty in the given academic areas.
6. The college will establish and maintain a minimum basic literacy standard that all students must meet prior to registering for graduation applicable credits. Students below this standard will be advised to enroll in the appropriate reading, writing, and/or mathematics courses, although this requirement would not preclude such students from concurrently taking other courses suitable to their literacy skill levels. The emphasis will be on individual students - college staff interaction as these decisions are made.
7. Exceptions to required enrollment in the appropriate basic skills courses will be determined in consultation with faculty in each instructional area. However, the intent of this policy is to minimize these exceptions.
8. The college’s student assessment and course placement practices will be structured to provide learners with an individual program plan that matches both the student’s ability and educational goals.

Adopted: June 23, 1987
Revised: June 24, 2003 (4055)
Revised: September 24, 2024 (4055)