Placement tests are performed using the following procedures:
Reading: Accuplacer* Reading Comprehension test developed by ETS.
Writing: Accuplacer* for Sentence Skills and a writing sample if requested by the student or if the score is borderline. English faculty members do the placement readings of essays.
Foreign Languages: No placement test (advising / Cheryl Berman)
*Accuplacer is a computerized placement test. Students are permitted to re-test once.
Reading:
ENGL 083 (ESL): less than 40 on reading comprehensionENGL 093: less than 50 on reading comprehensionENGL 086 (ESL): 40 – 79 on reading comprehensionENGL 096: 50 – 78 on reading comprehension
Writing:
ENGL 084 (ESL): less than 50 on sentence skillsENGL 094: less than 50 on sentence skills and less than 79 on readingComprehensionENGL 087 (ESL): 50 – 89 on sentence skillsENGL 097: 50 – 89 on sentence skills (writing sample = 6 – 8 if taken); or ifsentence skills are less than 50, reading comprehension must be greaterthan 79
ENGL 121 and English 121E (ESL): reading comp 79 or over; sentence skills 90 or over (writing sample 9 – 11)
Note: Other than test scores, students are also placed depending on previous coursework. Also, students must earn at least a “C” in developmental classes before moving on to the next higher course. ENGL 084 and 087 are ESL versions of ENGL 094 and 097, respectively, in terms of advancement to the next level, ENGL 121. ESL students are often encouraged—but not required—to take the ESL version of ENGL 121.
Requirements
Students who place into particular English courses are required to take that particular course, or they may take a lower level. Students may not skip to higher levels without permission by the Division Chair, Tara Hart.
Many courses at HCC have ENGL 096 as a pre-requisite. Therefore, students are encouraged to take the class right away.
Co-requisite
ENGL 106, Successful Learning Strategies is required for any student who places into ENGL 096.
Students should be strongly encouraged to take it the same semester.
Peggy Walton and Sandy Mallare are faculty responsible for ENGL 106.
