Assessment

Assessment is the process of evaluating readiness for certain college courses and the probabilities for success in those courses. The college has an assessment and advisement program for entering students which is a required part of the enrollment process. The assessment program includes the completion of a questionnaire which documents information on career and work plans, previous academic achievement and other relevant information. Assessment also includes an examination of individual skill levels in reading, writing, and mathematics. Information on skills may come from ACT, SAT, previous college-level work or from scores on the standardized tests administered by the college. Students who have taken the Texas Academic Skills Program (TAKS) also need their TAKS scores.

Because of the importance of such information, students should have official copies of ACT, SAT or TAKS scores and transcripts mailed to the Admissions Office or bring them personally at the time of application to the college. It is the responsibility of the student to make these available.

The assessment program provides information needed in advisement. Academic advisement sessions provide a framework for informed decision-making on the part of students and advisors. Information on a student's skills, abilities, career plans, educational background, life experiences and motivation is important in helping the student and advisor make selections from the many educational options available. However, the college reserves the right to insist students enroll in the appropriate remediation should assessment results indicate a need for the improvement of skills in reading, writing and/or mathematics.

Details of assessment and advisement procedures are available through the College Counseling Center or in the class schedule each semester.

Students who do not have at least three college-level credit hours prior to the 1989 Fall Semester must take the TAKS test prior to their first semester of enrollment in college-level credit hours. Should students fail any or all of the reading, writing or mathematics sections of TAKS, they will be required to enroll continuously and participate in the appropriate remediation until the failed section is passed.