Assessment Policy

Incoming Student Assessment Policy

04/2008

ACCUPLACER

Programs leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate
Riverland students who are enrolling in credit-based courses that lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate are required to take the ACCUPLACER.  The ACCUPLACER combines student background information with test results in English, reading, and mathematics to identify students’ current levels of ability and to aid in course placement.  The purpose of the assessment is to insure that students are placed into classes appropriate to their ability, and to help plan an effective course of study.  The ACCUPLACER must be completed after application but before course registration.  Students, who have not tested, cannot register for classes.  The Assessment Policy will apply to all students enrolled in credit courses including on-line enrollees, PSEO, and concurrent enrollment students.

ACCUPLACER scores are valid for three (3) years.  A permanent copy of these scores will be kept in the students’ official academic file.  The Assessment Office will maintain copies of ACCUPLACER scores for three (3) years. 

Below is the guide to cut scores that your counselor or faculty advisor will use to assist you in planning your academic schedule. 

Waivers

Waivers for completing the ACCUPLACER may be granted in the following situations:

• Students, who have taken an ACCUPLACER at another college in the last three (3) years, provided they send a copy of the test scores to Riverland’s Assessment Coordinator or
• Students transferring from an accredited institution to Riverland who have completed college English and math.  An official college transcript must be sent to the Registrar for evaluation or
• Recent high school graduates who have taken the ACT and have submitted them to Admissions or
• Enrollment in English for Academic Purposes courses only (see ENAP policy) or.
• Enrollment in hourly Riverland Training Development offerings or
• Enrollment in Farm or Small Business Management courses with a high school diploma or GED.

Retesting

Riverland students may retest once during each academic year with counselor/advisor approval.  The cost of the retest is $15.00.  Students wanting to retest can make an appointment online at http://www.riverland.edu/ssc/index.cfm or contact a staff member of the Student Success Center.  If, after the second assessment, students requests to retest again, they may file an appeal using the form at the end of this policy.  The written appeal must include evidence of academic preparation and a recommendation from a counselor/advisor. 

Accommodations

Riverland Community College complies with the provisions of the American with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination in education based on an individual’s disability.  The Student Success Center provides reasonable and appropriate testing accommodations upon request for students who have documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Requests for accommodations must be made at least one (1) week in advance.  Documentation of disability must be on file in the Student Success Center prior to the testing. For information and application for testing accommodations go to http://www.riverland.edu/SuccessCenter/DisabilityServices.cfm.
      

Ability to Benefit

Applicants seeking admissions to the college and/or financial aid who do not have a high school diploma or GED must pass an “Ability to Benefit” test that has been approved by the U.S. Secretary of Education.  Documentation of having passed the approved test will make qualified applicants eligible to receive financial aid.

The ACCUPLACER is the approved “Ability to Benefit” tests offered at Riverland.  In order to pass, an applicant must meet or exceed the following minimum scores on each of the three approved subtests in a single testing session:                       
Reading Comprehension   55
                        Sentence Structure            60
                        Arithmetic                         34

Applicants not meeting or exceeding one (1) or all these scores may request to retest.  There is a minimum two (2) weeks waiting period between test administrations.  Applicants must retake and pass all three subtests during that administration.  One (1) retest is allowed in a three (3) month period.  If, after the second assessment, applicants request another retest, they may file a written appeal to the Dean of Student Affairs, who will respond within five (5) business days.  The written appeal must be on the form at the end of this policy and must include evidence of instructional intervention that would suggest that score improvement would be possible.  Each retesting session is $15.00.

Test  Scores
Students planning to attend Riverland will receive a copy of their ACCUPLACER scores when they meet with their Counselor/Advisor.  Assessment staff will not release ACCUPLACER scores directly to a student, the student’s parent, or the student’s high school. 

Requesting Scores for Other Colleges
Students not planning to attend Riverland may take the ACCUPLACER during a normally scheduled testing session.  These students will receive a copy of the scores upon completion of the test.  Riverland will not send student test scores to other colleges but will send two (2) copies of the scores directly to the student upon request.  It is the student’s responsibility to forward the scores to the college(s) of their choice.

ACCUPLACER ESL

English for Academic Purposes (ENAP)
All students who enroll only in the English for Academic Purposes (ENAP) courses are required to take the ACCUPLACER ESL Reading Skills, Language Use and Sentence Meaning tests to ensure proper course placement by assessing proficiency in speaking/listening, reading and writing English as a Second Language

English Language Proficiency
A student whose primary language is not English and is seeking admittance to degree and diploma granting programs will be required to take the English for Academic Purposes (ENAP) courses.  To be exempt from the English for Academic Purposes (ENAP) courses students must meet one of the following criteria:
 

• TOEFL score of 500 or higher.
• CASAS scaled score of 245-250 plus a writing sample.
• Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) average score of 75 or greater.
• CPT score of 59 or higher in Reading Comprehension and Sentence Skills.
• ACT sub-score of 7 or higher in English.

Students failing to meet one of these criteria will be required to complete appropriate course work in the English for Academic Purposes (ENAP).  International students will be required to take an exit exam upon completion of the English for Academic Purposes (ENAP) course work.

Ability to Benefit
All students who do not have a high school diploma or GED must attain a minimum score on an “Ability to Benefit” assessment in order to receive Financial Aid. 

Retesting
Students may retest using a different form of the Ability to Benefit assessment whenever they wish.  However, students may only retest using the same form of the assessment after a 2 1/2 month waiting period. 

NURSING ENTRANCE TEST (NET)

Nursing Pathways Program
Students applying to the Nursing Pathways Program must take the Nursing Entrance Test (NET) unless they are a currently certified LPN.  The cost of the test is $25.00.

Retest

Assessment Retake Appeal Form