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PS-03.A.02 - Placement and Course Sequencing

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Effective Date: May 15, 2023

Issue #: 4

President: Loren Blanchard

1. Purpose

This PS states the policy of the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) on the placement of students and the appropriate sequencing of their courses, in accordance with State of Texas requirements.

2. Definitions

There are no definitions associated with this policy.

3. Policy

3.1 Placement in Reading, English, and Mathematics

3.1.1 The State of Texas requires all entering students attending Texas public institutions of higher education to be assessed for college readiness in mathematics, reading, and writing unless a student qualifies for one of the state-approved exemptions.

3.1.2 The state-approved placement exam for entering students is the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA). Students whose TSIA score in mathematics, reading, or writing do not meet college-readiness standards are required to register in a supporting developmental course together with a credit-bearing core course in the same semester as part of a co-requisite model, or other non- course-based training in that area to demonstrate their readiness for college-level work in that area. A multiple-measures model may also be employed to determine college-readiness in mathematics and/or English. The criteria for placement is published on the UHD Testing Services website and updated annually.

3.1.3 Students may qualify for a series of state-approved exemptions, including SAT examination scores or coursework completed prior to UHD enrollment. Information about the Texas Success Initiative Assessment, the most recent college-readiness scores for each section of the test, and exemptions are posted in the UHD Testing Services website.

3.1.4 FTIC students who are college ready in writing and math are required to enroll in the appropriate UHD Core Curriculum writing course sequence and the appropriate core mathematics requirement in their first semester unless approved under special exception by the AVP for Advising and Student Progression. Students can also satisfactorily complete Texas Core requirements through credit by examination.

4. Procedures

Procedures are embedded in Section 3.

5. Review Process

Responsible Party: Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost

Review: As needed. Every three years on or before July 1st.

Signed original on file in Human Resources.

6. Policy History

Issue #1: 06/10/1988

Issue #2: 04/24/2015

Issue #3: 06/22/2015

7. References

UHD Testing Services