(a) An institution shall assess, by an instrument approved
in §4.56 of this title (relating to Assessment Instruments),
the academic skills of each entering, non-exempt undergraduate student
prior to enrollment of the student. Under exceptional circumstances,
an institution may permit a student to enroll in freshman-level academic
coursework without assessment but shall require the student to be
assessed not later than the end of the first semester of enrollment
in freshman-level academic coursework.
(b) Prior to the administration of an approved instrument
in §4.56 of this title, an institution shall provide to the student
a pre-assessment activity(ies) that addresses at a minimum the following
components in an effective and efficient manner, such as through workshops,
orientations, and/or online modules:
(1) Importance of assessment in students' academic
career;
(2) Assessment process and components, including practice
with feedback of sample test questions in all disciplinary areas;
(3) Developmental education options including course-pairing,
non-course-based, modular, and other non-conventional interventions;
(4) Institutional and/or community student resources
(e.g. tutoring, transportation, childcare, financial aid).
(c) For holistic placement of non-exempt students not
meeting standards as defined in §4.57(a) and (b) of this title
(relating to College Ready and Adult Basic Education (ABE) Standards),
institutions shall use for determination of appropriate courses and/or
interventions the TSI Assessment results and accompanying Diagnostic
Profile, along with consideration of one or more of the following:
(1) High school Grade Point Average/class ranking;
(2) Prior academic coursework and/or workplace experiences;
(3) Non-cognitive factors (e.g., motivation, self-efficacy);
and
(4) Family-life issues (e.g., job, childcare, transportation,
finances).
(d) An institution offering collegiate-level credit
to students via a Multi-Institution Teaching Center (MITC) or a university
system center, or to in-state students by distance learning delivery
systems shall ensure that students are assessed as required by this
section.
(e) An institution may not use the assessment or the
results of the assessment as a condition of admission to the institution
or as a condition of admission to a specific program offered by the
institution.
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Source Note: The provisions of this §4.55 adopted to be effective December 3, 2003, 28 TexReg 10753; amended to be effective November 28, 2012, 37 TexReg 9358; amended to be effective August 15, 2013, 38 TexReg 5063 |