Texas Success Initiative
2012 STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
Under Texas Education Code, Section 51.307, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board (THEBC) is authorized to adopt rules to implement the provisions of Texas Education
Code, Section 51.3062. The Texas Education Code, Section
51.403(e) authorizes the THECB to establish guidelines and reporting requirements.
It is the policy of Panola College to implement the mandates of the Texas Education
Code and the adopted rules of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Panola College shall assess the academic skills of each entering undergraduate student
to determine the student’s readiness to enroll in freshman-level academic coursework.
The institution shall provide advising and educational support necessary for success
in college and assist students who are not yet ready to enroll in that coursework.
Assessment or the results of the assessment cannot be used to deny admission to the
College. Admission to Panola College does not guarantee admission to specific programs
of study or enrollment in all courses.
The Panola College Board of Trustees authorizes the Administration to establish local
policies for implementation of the Texas Success Initiative Plan (TSIP). The TSIP
will be reviewed annually as part of the Institutional Effectiveness Action Plan.
The specific regulations are subject to change as the result of sessions of the Texas
Legislature and meetings of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Any significant
changes to this plan will be filed with the Coordinating Board.
EXEMPTIONS/EXCEPTIONS
A. State law provides for certain exemptions from the TSI provisions. Documentation must be on file in the Admissions and Records Office prior to enrollment. Exemptions/exceptions are associated with actual enrollment in college.
1. For a period of five (5) years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs on a single administration of the test at or above the following standards:
a. ACT: composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on both the English and the mathematics
tests.
b. SAT: a combined verbal and mathematics score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on both
the verbal and mathematics tests.
2. For a period of three (3) years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs at or above the following standards:
• TAKS (Exit Level): 2200 in math and/or 2200 in English/Language Arts (ELA) with a writing sub score of at least 3.
3. A student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education.
4. A student who transfers to an institution from a private or independent institution of higher education and who has satisfactorily completed college-level coursework as determined by the receiving institution.
5. A student who has previously attended any institution and has been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution.
6. A student who is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the
United States or the Texas
National Guard.
7. A student who is currently serving as and, for at least the three-year period preceding enrollment, has served as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States. [HB 286, Sec.51.3062, (r), (5)]
8. A student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or of the Texas National Guard or served as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States.
9. A student who is enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less (Level-One certificates, 42 or fewer semester credit hours or the equivalent) at a public junior college, a public technical institute, or a public state college.
B. Exception - An institution may exempt a non-degree seeking or non-certificate seeking student.
1. This student may defer testing and related TSI requirements until he/she:
a. self-declares as a degree or level-two certificate seeker, or b. enrolls in more
than two courses in a semester, or
c. attempts to enroll in a semester after the 12th college-level hour has been accumulated.
2. This student must sign a request for exception each semester declaring that neither
a degree nor a certificate is being sought.
3. This student may not enroll in courses designated as “blocked” or courses with
specific unmet prerequisites.
4. The Vice-President of Student Services or the Vice-President of Instruction may
make an exception to this stipulation. Such exceptions are allowed based on the specific
courses taken and the pattern of enrollment, which would indicate that personal enrichment,
personal health, or job skill upgrade is the desired outcome.
5. For a shortened semester, such as summer, flex, or intersession, a student may
take one or two courses which he/she is not blocked by TSI requirements. Under this
waiver, students must have the waiver form signed by the Vice-President of Student
Services or the Vice-President of Instruction in order to enroll under this policy.
ASSESSMENT
A. A student designated as exempt will not be prevented from enrolling in a course designated as “blocked” unless he/she has not met the course prerequisite.
B. Panola College shall assess by an instrument approved by Section 4.56 the academic
skills of each entering undergraduate student prior to enrollment of the student unless
otherwise exempted.
C. Panola College will accept the officially documented results for all the approved assessment instruments.
D. A student qualifying under circumstances specified in Section 4.55(a) who has not been assessed prior to enrollment may, after individual consideration, enroll in selected freshman-level academics coursework. The student must be assessed for TSI purposes not later than the end of the first semester of enrollment. If any student fails to test during the designated semester, the student will not be permitted to enroll in any courses other than non-degree courses until he/she has been assessed.
Exceptional circumstances include, but are not limited to:
1. Documented illness, injury, or other bonafide emergency that prevents a student
from testing;
2. Diagnosed and documented disability for which reasonable and appropriate accommodations
could not be provided by Panola College in a timely manner;
3. Reasonable assessment opportunities have passed and students, through no fault
of their own, have not been assessed.
E. Students not designated in an exempt/exception/waiver category will be assessed for readiness to enroll in courses designated as “blocked.” Readiness may be demonstrated by providing an official transcript showing that a minimum grade of “C” has been earned in one of the blocked courses in each of the three skill areas. If coursework can be transferred for only one or two areas, the student must be assessed in any uncompleted area. The last grade for repeated courses will be used to determine readiness. A course with a grade of “D” may be used for credit but will not satisfy the “readiness” requirement.
F. Transfer students from a Texas public institution whose status has not been transcripted may demonstrate readiness by providing an official transcript showing that a minimum grade of “C” has been earned in one of the blocked courses in each of the three skill areas. If coursework can be transferred for only one or two areas, the student must be assessed in any uncompleted area. The last grade for repeated courses will be used to determine readiness. A course with a grade of “D” may be used for credit but will not satisfy the “readiness” requirement.
COMPLETING TSI REQUIREMENTS
A. A student who meets the minimum standards on an assessment instrument approved
by the THECB has no other TSI
requirements.
B. A student who fails one or more sections of an assessment instrument may satisfy
requirements by retesting and achieving a passing score or earning a grade of “C”
or better in the developmental course designated as the highest level for reading,
mathematics, or writing.A student may retake an assessment instrument at any time
using any of the current Board-approved instruments. The College offers the on-line
Accuplacer on a daily basis and the THEA at designated times.
C. A student who completes the provisions outlined in an individualized plan for academic
success which was developed with the student will have satisfied the requirements.
GENERAL POLICIES (TSIP)
A. An individual plan for academic success will be determined which will include developmental
education, reassessment option, access to an online degree/program of study curriculum,
other available support services, and may include appropriate non-developmental activities.
A copy of this plan will be available to the student and on file in the Student Success
Center.
B. A student not successfully meeting the minimum passing standard in each skill area
must begin developmental education upon enrollment and continue enrolling in at least
one course or designated activity until requirements are complete.
C. A student must enroll each semester in a minimum of one developmental course that
corresponds to the level and area of deficiency. Any student failing to take a section
of the test or canceling the score on a section will be held liable for developmental
education in any section not previously passed.
D. Panola College requires new students to see a counselor/advisor for evaluation
of current status and developmental course selection through individual appointment
or at the new student advisement and online registration sessions. Even though returning
students can register online each semester, the College encourages these students
to visit with a counselor/advisor until TSIP requirements are met. In addition, the
faculty member in his /her field of study can advise students.
E. The student must enroll in an appropriate developmental class each semester. The
student who is absent beyond the established minimum number of class days or who does
not participate in the course work will receive a grade of “F” for the course. Each
syllabus will include this policy. A general statement is published in the Schedule
of Classes each semester and in the College catalog.
F. In the developmental studies program, a grade of “C” or better indicates satisfactory
progress for advancement either to the next level within the developmental program
or into academic studies.
Students are placed according to assessment scores. Students may be moved up or down
a level in developmental coursework if a counselor/advisor and developmental instructor
agree that the adjustment has merit. The student who has successfully completed the
highest level in reading, math and/or writing will be considered to have completed
the required readiness coursework in that area. Developmental course sequences: Reading
0301, 0302; Math 0301,
0302; Writing 0301.
The 0100 courses are not part of the developmental course sequence. These courses
may be used to satisfy the enrollment in a developmental course each semester but
may not be used to satisfy the requirement for readiness. An
exception may be considered if the student would benefit from utilizing a 0100 course
as a lab tutorial in “other appropriate support services.” The student who retests
and improves his/her score may be reevaluated and placed in a higher level. The student
will not be placed in a lower level without the student’s consent. A conference with
a counselor will be required.
G. Intersession Courses: A student who has not completed all TSI requirements may
participate if he/she attended college in the preceding fall or spring semester and
was enrolled in an appropriate developmental course. A student may not enroll in a
blocked course until readiness has been determined and prerequisites have been met.
RETESTING
A. THECB approved Instruments
1. THEA/TASP
a. Initial testing: If only one section is attempted, all three sections are considered
to be attempted.
b. Retesting: Each section stands individually. A section must be attempted before
that section can be considered as a retest possibility.
2. ASSET/COMPASS/ACCUPLACER
a. Initial testing: Each section stands individually. Each section must be attempted.
b. Retesting; Each section stands individually. A section must be attempted before
that section can be considered as a retest possibility.
B. A student may retest using the test they took initially or any other Board-approved instrument. C. Retesting and Passing During the Semester.
Students enrolled in developmental courses may retest each semester after the Census Date.
Students enrolled in developmental courses are not allowed to retest during finals week.
1. Immediately after passing a placement test, a student will take the placement test
score document and “Placement Test Pass” form from the Admissions/Records Office to
the instructor; the student and instructor must select and sign an option below on
the “Placement Test Pass” form and immediately return the form to the Admissions/Records
Office.
Options:
a. The student can elect to take the grade earned in the course, as of today, and
will not be required to attend the course for the remainder of the semester; if a
grade has not been recorded, the student must select another option.
b. The student can elect to take an automatic "C" in the course and will not be required
to attend the course for the remainder of the semester.
c. The student can elect to remain in the course and earn a grade.
d. During the designated period, the student may withdraw from the class and receive
a “W”.
EVALUATION OF PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED DEVELOPMENTAL COURSES
A. Coursework completed at Panola College. Time limit: 2 years.
1. A student who has been enrolled at any time during the past 2 years and has also retested during this period may enter the developmental sequence at the level indicated by the most recent test scores or continue the sequence in progress during the last enrollment.
2. A student who has been enrolled at any time during the past 2 years but has not re-tested during this period will continue from the sequence level obtained during the last enrollment.
3. A student who completed the remedial sequence but has not been enrolled at Panola College during the past 2 years will enroll in a developmental course (0100 or highest 0300+ level). The student may not attempt a blocked course until one semester of additional developmental preparation in the failed section has been completed with a grade of “C” or higher.
B. Students transferring from an accredited institution who have not completed all of the TSI requirements. Time limit: 2 years.
1. At least 30 days prior to registration, a student must provide an official transcript of previous coursework and request an evaluation of any completed developmental courses. If needed, the student must provide a catalog or statement from the previous registrar describing the sequence of developmental courses.
2. Students who do not provide official transcripts at least 30 days prior to registration may not have their developmental work evaluated in time and will be placed in developmental courses based on the results of their assessment test.
3. Only the developmental courses successfully completed (grade of “C” or higher) within the past 2 years will be evaluated or considered.
4. Developmental courses taken more than 2 years prior to enrollment at Panola College will not be considered. The student will begin the developmental sequence at the level indicated by the last assessment score.
COURSE RESTRICTIONS
The student may not attempt a restricted course prior to presenting a passing score or an approved assessment instrument, transferring an equivalent course with a “C” or better, or successfully completing the highest level developmental course unless exempt. Any additional course prerequisites must be met.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
The high school student who is not exempt and who seeks to enroll must be assessed for TSI purposes prior to enrolling. The high school student who fails to achieve the minimum passing standard set by THECB may not enroll in college level classes related to sections of the test not passed. Enrolling in a developmental course each semester is not required.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Federal laws pertaining to individuals with disabilities shall be considered when assessing and advising students. Under the coordination of the Career/Technical Counselor, requests and accompanying documentation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
STUDENT OUTCOME
The student will successfully complete freshman-level academic coursework.
EVALUATION
The THECB shall evaluate the effectiveness of the Texas Success Initiative on a statewide basis and with respect to each institution. This evaluation will be based on specific data and timelines as required.
COMMENTS
A. The Vice-President of Instruction or the Vice-President of Student Services can,
upon receipt of proper documentation of extenuating circumstances, give approval for
students to enroll in restricted courses and/or make exceptions for individual students
in the sequencing of developmental coursework.
B. Panola College shall make every effort to apply the rules in a fair and equitable
manner.
Reevaluated/revised 1/25/2012
Student Services
This page maintained by Randy Gravesrgraves@panola.edu.