Meeting & Agendas

Discussed and agreed to revisions and corrections to rule. Committee corrected and approved the rule to be in compliance with state exemption rule. Exceptions or exemptions statement added to comply with State legislature requirements. Committee voted to approve and forward to SSC.

State requirement to use a new assessment test Fall 2013 (now known as Accuplacer). Items discussed: 1. Colleges and universities across the state will be required to use ACCUPLACER on the 2nd day of Fall 2013 classes. 2. Any new student enrolling at ACC or any other institution in Texas will need to retest using ACCUPLACER starting Fall 2013. 3. State will be approving the new minimum cut scores by April 2013  Placement charts must be revised.  Developmental departments will need to review courses and levels 4. As a result of quick deadline changes to placement scores and charts must be submitted to AAC by June or July for use by the 2nd day of classes Fall 2013. 5. Assessment process holder will be piloting the current ACCUPLACER with College Connection and Early College Start students Spring 2013. 5. The cost of the test units have been determined by the Coordinating Board and will be the same across the state. Institutions can determine cost to student. Recommendation for ACC to consider increasing cost to cover diagnostics. 6. Developmental departments are in the process of creating test prep modules. Students will be able to access them through YouTube and other formats. Students will be required to complete test prep prior to testing. A process to verify test prep will need to be developed. Considering a system similar to ACC 101 where student will need to print a confirmation sheet and submit to the Assessment Center. 7. New test will have the ability to place students into ABE programs. 8. Once new TSI requirements are implemented a mandatory training on ACCUPLACER, new placement charts and cut scores will need to be provided to counselors and advisors. 9. All TSI rules and accompanying procedures will need to be reviewed, revised or changed to comply with new state law. 10. ESOL may be required to use computerized ACCUPLACER ESOL essay. Yolanda will give Anne-Marie access to test/review the test. As a result of new state requirements, students that are exempt may be advised to test for correct placement. Suggestion was made to consider allowing exempted students to test free. Yolanda will forward recommendation to Deans and Dr. Christensen for discussion and approval.

Current procedures in Advising Manual are posted as students being advised for TSI and degree plans by the Veteran’s Office. Mark Harden informed Yolanda that the VA office only certifies students for benefits and if a DD214 is submitted directly to them sends this forward to Admissions. Advising manual and TSI Quick Reference Guide need to be updated.

With the new law requiring diagnostics testing for students who do not meet skills requirement, procedures need to be implemented to allow students to take the test in more than one sitting. Students should be given the option to take all parts or part(s) of the test. Diagnostics should be administered if only one part of the test is taken; otherwise students will be required to come back to complete diagnostics. Providing testing options should increase test success and minimize test fatigue. Only drawback is that advising will be delayed for these students. Information encouraging early testing should be disseminated.

1. ACCUPLACER Training will be available via WebEx or at HBC room 301 August 24, 2012 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. 2. Composition 1 Pre-Requisites Workshop for Faculty at HBC 3:30-5:00p.m. 3. Personal Enrichment waivers and procedures should be added to Advising Manual. Yolanda will forward webex info to committee.