Academic Placement and Assessment Procedures
Section I. General
1.1 In accordance with BridgeValley Community and Technical College’s C-9 policy Freshman Assessment and Placement Standards and WV State Code Series 21, all new degree seeking students must show academic skill proficiency in mathematics, writing, and reading. Below are the placement procedures. These procedures are subject to change based upon BridgeValley policy and state code.
1.2 Scores from standardized tests such as the American College Test (ACT), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), or ACCUPLACER are not required for admission. However, scores from one of these tests are required for placement and counseling purposes and must be taken prior to registering for classes.
1.3 Students who do not have placement scores from ACT or SAT are offered the opportunity to take the ACCUPLACER placement exam free of charge for their first attempt. This placement exam will be administered through the Student Success Center.
Section II. ACCUPLACER Registration and Preparation
2.1 To register for the ACCUPLACER online, students go to the Testing Services webpage and complete the registration form. Upon completion of the form students will receive a confirmation email with exam details. Direct Link: http://www.bridgevalley.edu/accuplacer-testing#Registration
2.2 To register for the ACCUPLACER by phone students should contact the Student Success Center (304) 205-6670.
2.3 To register for the ACCUPLACER in person students report to room 031 Building 2000 to schedule their exam.
2.4 To prepare for the ACCUPLACER placement exam students may work with the Adult Education Learning Center. To find information regarding Adult Education programs students can visit the BridgeValley Testing Center webpage or contact the Adult Education Learning Center by phone at (304) 205- 6626.
2.5 ACCUPLACER preparation material, including a study guide, is located on the Testing Center webpage.
Section III. Placement Score Reporting
3.1 Placement exam scores (ACT, SAT, or ACCUPLACER) will be valid for five years.
3.2 Upon completion of the ACCUPLACER exam, students are given a copy of their score report.
3.3 Placement exam scores will be available for viewing in Banner once BridgeValley receives scores from the appropriate testing entity (ACT, SAT, or ACCUPLACER).
3.4 ACCUPLACER Placement Scores will be available in Banner 1-2 business days after the student has tested at a BridgeValley testing center.
Section IV. Adult Education Referral Process
4.1 Upon completion of the ACCUPLACER exam, the proctor will discuss the results with each individual student.
4.2 Students who fall into Bridge to College or ENGL 020/MATH 020 range on the current Placement Guidelines matrix will go over the Adult Education Referral Form in conjunction with the exam proctor.
4.2.1 The Adult Education Referral Form will be filled out and signed by the student.
4.2.2 The proctor will make two copies of the form and test scores.
4.2.3 The exam proctor will file the original form and test scores in the Student Success Center.
4.2.4 A copy of the form and test scores will be given to the student.
4.2.5 The third copy of the information will be given to the Adult Education Learning Center. The center that receives the information will be based upon which campus the student prefers to attend courses.
4.3 Once referred to the Adult Education Learning Center, students are required to submit the Adult Education ACCUPLACER Retest Form before being allowed to retest. This form indicates an endorsement from Adult Education stating that the student is ready to retest or a student’s signature stating that they have not worked with Adult Education and understand they are utilizing their last attempt to retest.
Section V. ACCUPLACER Retesting
5.1 Students are allowed to retest ACCUPLACER only one time, unless extenuating circumstances deem otherwise, and retesting is approved by the Dean of Students.
5.2 Students cannot retest the ACCUPLACER sooner than 24 hours after the initial test date and time.
5.3 Students will not be allowed to retest after the current semester open registration date. Placement into courses will be based on placement exam scores as of this date. Extenuating circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Dean of Students.
5.4 The ACCUPLACER retesting fee (see current fee schedule) must be paid in the cashier’s office prior to retesting. A payment form located in the Student Success Center must be completed, payment submitted to the cashier’s office, and a receipt shown to the exam administrator before the student will be allowed to retest.
5.5 Students are registered for courses based on their highest scores, not the most recent. Therefore, if a student retests and receives a lower score the student is placed by their original score.
Section VI. ACCUPLACER Testing Accommodations
6.1 BridgeValley is in full compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act signed into law in 1990, therefore, students requesting accommodations and who have proper documentation submitted to the Disability Services Office should be accommodated for assessments.
6.2 Students with all necessary documentation requesting ACCUPLACER testing accommodations should contact the Disability Services Office (304-205-6725) in Student Services at least two weeks prior to taking placement tests.
6.3 While the ACCUPLACER placement exam is an untimed exam, all students who need an extended period of time to complete the exam may be asked to complete the exam in two sessions.
Adult Education Learning Centers
BridgeValley provides an Adult Education Learning Center (AELC) in collaboration with the West Virginia Department of Education, Office of Adult Education & Workforce Development at each campus location. The AELC on the South Charleston campus is in room 029 Building 2000, and the AELC on the Montgomery campus is located in room 401 Davis Hall. The AELC provides assistance with skill-building in the areas of math, reading, and language arts. The staff administers assessments to help students gauge their own strengths and weaknesses. In the AELC, students gain proficiency in critical reading, thinking, writing and computation for college-level coursework and tests such as the TASC (high school equivalency exam), ACCUPLACER, ACT, ASVAB, TEAS V Nursing Entrance Test, and PPST. The AELC also helps students to deal with test anxiety, develop better study habits, manage time more effectively, set short-term goals in order to achieve long-term objectives, and become independent learners. Students can also find help with career exploration and career pathway building.
Bookstore
BridgeValley partners with Barnes and Noble to provide bookstore services for its students. This online company sells new, used, and rental textbooks as well as various campus supplies. For more information, visit the BridgeValley website or stop by the bookstore in South Charleston in Building 2000.
Campus Life
Campus involvement, whether it is participating in a community service project, attending an off-campus event or engaging in welcome back week, is an important part of the college experience. Involvement assists in the intellectual, personal and social development of a student. BridgeValley strives to connect students, student organizations, and faculty and staff to their campus community.
The Office of Student Services serves student organizations and their members by enhancing their experiences both in and out of the classroom. BridgeValley strives to have an active and engaged community that promotes leadership development, encourages community involvement, and lifelong learning. For more information, please visit the Campus Life section of the BridgeValley website.
Campus Police
Safety of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors is a top priority at BridgeValley Community and Technical College. Campus Police works diligently to ensure a safe work and academic environment for the BridgeValley community. Administration and the Campus Safety Committee have implemented several services that will allow everyone to play a vital role in security on campus. In addition, there are campus police officers to assist students in the parking areas and in other helpful ways around campus. For all emergencies, including medical, you should first call 911. Remember when calling from a campus phone you will need to dial the number 9 for an outside line. All other non-emergencies, contact the campus police department.
Career Services
Career Services offers many services to students including on-line career search and employment opportunities; announcements of available full-time, part-time, internship, and seasonal positions; and on-campus career fairs and workshops.
Clubs and Organizations
BridgeValley Community & Technical College recognizes a variety of student clubs and organizations. These organizations cover a broad range of interests that include leadership, professional, religious, academic honorary, social and special interest. Students may also petition to the Student Government Association to organize a club or organization. For a full list of recognized student club and organizations, please visit the Campus Life section of the BridgeValley website or stop by the Office of Student Services.
Counseling Services
The College counselor serves as a student advocate and as a resource for students in crisis. Students who have on-going, long-term, or therapeutic needs are referred to community agencies for assistance. The counselor maintains a list of available community providers for professional testing, counseling, and alternative support services.
Disability Services
Consistent with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), BridgeValley ensures that individuals with disabilities are afforded an equal opportunity to participate in its academic programs, student activities, and all other events sponsored by the College. Students shall be provided reasonable accommodations based on the recommendations made by a licensed health care professional who is qualified to diagnose the impairment. A student with a physical, learning, emotional, or temporary disability must provide documentation verifying a disabling condition which impacts the function of a major life activity. No accommodations will be provided without proper documentation that is outlined in the Disability Services Student Handbook, which can be found on the BridgeValley website.
Library Services
BridgeValley has an online library that is designed to support the information, curriculum, and research needs of all students, faculty, and staff. BridgeValley provides access to multiple web-based periodical and eBook databases with access to full text articles and reference books. These materials can be accessed on campus or from home with an individual’s B number. Questions about finding materials or need research help? The librarian and library staff can get you started with a research project, narrowing a search, evaluating sources, and creating citations. The librarian also provides a variety of information literacy services including, but not limited to, Orientation/Instruction on how to use the online resources. The Ask a Librarian chat service, where a live librarian is available to answer your questions, is available to all during staffed library hours. The library webpage provides links to databases & web resources and hours are posted at the beginning of each semester.
Student Code of Conduct
BridgeValley expects that every member of its community shares its commitment to honesty, integrity, and the search for the truth. In addition, BridgeValley Community and Technical College is concerned with the social and learning environment of all its students. It is expected that each person will grow to have greater respect for self, others, and property. For a complete explanation of student rights and responsibilities, students should consult the Student Code of Conduct which can be found on the BridgeValley website or in the Division of Student Affairs.
Student Government Association
The Student Government Association (SGA) of BridgeValley serves as an intermediary between the administration and the student body in matters of general welfare, promotes a spirit of cooperation in the activities of the College, and encourages student initiative. The SGA is governed by an established constitution with officers elected by the student body. For more information, please visit the campus life section of the BridgeValley website or stop by the Office of Student Services.
Student Success Center
BridgeValley provides a Student Success Center (SSC) in South Charleston. The mission of the Student Success Center is to provide effective academic assistance, professional testing, student assessment services, tutorial services, and academic advising to ensure success for all students at BridgeValley CTC.
Retention Services:
BridgeValley is committed to the success of its students by providing an environment conducive to teaching and learning. To ensure that every student takes full advantage of the educational opportunities, the College has implemented an Early Alert retention program. Through the Early Alert system, students are identified through referrals from the faculty and staff to provide customized services for those students early in the semester. The Student Services support personnel will contact student(s) to discuss issues that may require attention and resources to support them.
Additionally, our Retention Specialist holds a series of Academic Success Workshops for students on academic probation. These workshops give students the resources they need to achieve academic success in the future.
Tutoring Services:
BridgeValley Community & Technical College offers free tutoring through the Student Success Center. Tutoring is available for a variety of subjects during the time posted on the current semester tutoring schedule. For tutoring assistance in a subject not listed on the schedule or during a time not listed please fill out a Tutor Request Form in the Student Success Center. Tutoring Schedules are subject to change depending on tutor availability; updates are posted in the Student Success Center.
Testing Services:
The Student Success Center proctors a variety of exams from online course exams to standardized tests such as the ACCUPLACER Placement Test and the TEAS V nursing entrance exam. At BridgeValley, all online courses are required to have at least one assignment or exam proctored. While there are a few options for proctoring, the most common is to have your exam proctored by the SSC. All exam proctoring is done on an appointment basis. To find out more information on exam proctoring please contact the Student Success Center.
As previously mentioned, the Student Success Center proctors the ACCUPLACER Placement exam. The purpose of the placement test is to assist us in determining your best course placement. The placement test measures entry-level skills in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. This is tool used to determine how to best help place you in college level math and English classes. If you are a new student seeking a degree and you have not completed more than 15 hours of college coursework or you do not have admissions test scores, such as, ACT, SAT, or ACCUPLACER that is less than five years old, you must take the ACCUPLACER Placement Test. The test must be taken prior to registering for classes. For more information on the ACCUPLACER, including a study guide, or to register for an ACCUPLACER exam please visit the ACCUPLACER Testing webpage or contact the Student Success Center.
Walk-ins are welcome & encouraged!
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