SWGTC Assessment Policy

The ability of a student to succeed in a program at Southwest Georgia Technical College (SWGTC) is greatly determined by the math and language skills possessed by the student.  SWGTC is committed to assist each student achieve at his/her maximum potential.  It is the philosophy of the College that a student is not helped by admitting him/her to a program in which he/she does not possess the basic educational skills needed to succeed. Therefore, all students applying for diploma, degree, and certificate programs with the exception of specified certificate programs must be assessed prior to acceptance to a program of study at the College.  Students will then be admitted in accordance with the academic standards applicable to the program.

It is also the philosophy of SWGTC that assessment is far more comprehensive than the basic skills testing process.  Assessment is the opportunity for and the responsibility of SWGTC to collect information about prospective students that is relevant to their educational experience.  This information is used to assist each student to experience success in his/her educational endeavors.

• SWGTC utilizes the state-approved assessment instruments (ASSET or COMPASS) to assess program readiness.
  
  
• In lieu of the COMPASS or ASSET, SWGTC accepts a student’s official score on validated assessment instruments (such as ACT or SAT) or Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) in English/Language Arts provided that the scores are not more than five years old and meet the minimum scores as follow:

Associate Degree	Diploma / Certificate
*Minimum SAT: Verbal 480, Math 440	Verbal 430, Math 400
*Minimum ACT: 20 Composite score	Verbal 18, Math 16
*Minimum GHSGT: N/A	English/Language Arts (ELA) 235 or higher




**A score of 235 or higher on the ELA portion of the GHSGT will ONLY exempt testing in writing and reading for placement into diplomas and technical certificate of credit programs.  This will not exempt testing for degree seeking students.

III. Students or applicants may be reassessed.  Students may choose one of two options prior to retesting: (1) utilize the SWGTC Tutoring Lab for eight (8) hours of short-term remediation; or (2) wait 30 days prior to retesting.  Students may retest one time per section prior to enrolling in Learning Support courses.  There will be an additional charge for all retests.

Degree seeking students enrolled in Learning Support course(s) must take an exit exam (ASSET or COMPASS) and achieve the appropriate entry level scores before being regularly admitted to their program of study.  Prior to the end of the quarter, scheduled dates and times are made available for currently enrolled Learning Support students to retest with the instructor’s permission. All currently enrolled Learning Support students who achieve the appropriate level score when taking the exit exam must still complete that Learning Support course and obtain an 80% or higher grade in order to advance to the next level.  Retest(s) are not allowed while students are currently enrolled in Learning Support course(s) without the instructor’s permission.  Students who have a final grade of less than 80% (B) are not allowed to retest and must retake Learning Support course(s).  No retest fee is assessed to students who have instructor approved permission forms.

Students pursuing a diploma or certificate program who enroll and successfully complete Learning Support course(s) are not required to retest before being regularly admitted to their program of study

 

IV. Official transcripts from a college, university, or other postsecondary institution accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the U. S. Department of Education documenting degree and/or diploma equivalent program-level English and math coursework are used to document a student’s basic education skills and may eliminate the need to complete that portion of the assessment instrument.

V. Assessment scores will be considered valid for placement purposes for a period of five years.

Responsibility
The Director of Admissions has the overall responsibility for ensuring this policy is implemented.




 

---