English and Math Placement

• For a long time, community colleges have required students to prove they have what it takes to perform at transfer-level through placement testing. California has a new law (AB 705) that requires community colleges to increase the likelihood of students completing transfer-level coursework. Now, students have the right to choose their own path using evidence that better reflects their experiences and strengths. Colleges are also required to inform students of right to access transfer-level coursework and credit English as a Second Language (ESL) coursework and multiple measures placement policies and placement data (AB 1805).  

• Allan Hancock College’s placement process is compliant with AB 705, which requires California Community Colleges to maximize the probability that a student who is seeking a degree/transfer will enter and complete transfer-level coursework in English and math within one year and English as a Second Language (ESL) within three years. Allan Hancock College will no longer use testing to determine placement. Instead, assessment will be based on multiple measures including high school data (i.e., GPA, course grades, advanced coursework), through transcripts indicating courses taken at another accredited institution, and/or through our new guided self-placement tool.   

• Colleges are required to annually report to the Chancellor’s Office the community college’s placement policies and placement results (both assessment/placement and enrollment), disaggregated by race/ethnicity. You may view the placement results here.  

• First time students: The answers you provide on the CCCApply Admissions Application regarding your last completed high school English and math classes and high school GPA will be used for initial placement into English and math. You will want to have your transcript handy when you complete the application for the most accurate placement. Students do not need to submit any documentation to receive placement. Follow directions under “Get my placement” to see your English and math placement.   

• • Been out of high school for more than 10 years? Students who have been out of high school for more than 10 years will not be asked high school information during the application process, but you will still receive a placement. You can view your placement and also use the new guided self-placement tool by going to “Get my placement.” 
  • Do not have a United States high school diploma or the equivalent? Foreign Language learners without a U.S. high school diploma or U.S. high school data (e.g., international students, adult immigrants, refugees, and F1 Visa students) will not be asked high school information during the application process but you will still receive a placement in English and math. You can view your placement and also use the new guided self-placement tool by going to “Get my placement.” Students interested in the credit ESL program can take the ESL guided self-placement tool by going to “Get my placement.” 
    

• Continuing/Returning students: All students can re-assess using our new placement policy. To see your current placement and/or to reassess using our new guided self-placement tool, you will go to “Get my placement.”
  

• Wrong/missing high school data? Don’t sweat it. You can use the guided self-placement tool to update your high school data. Have your transcript information handy and go to “Get my placement.” 

• Support courses 

• • Support Courses are courses you take simultaneously in the same semester along with the transfer-level course. If you were placed into a course with support recommended or required or you feel you might need extra support for a transfer-level course based on your high school experience, English and math both offer support courses. See below for more information. 

• Tutoring
  • Writing Center
  • Tutoring Center
  • Math Lab

I no longer have access to my high school records, what should I do?

Complete the guided self-placement tool under "Check my placement"

I already took the assessment test, do the new placement policies apply to me?

Yes, all new, continuing, and returning students can be re-assessed with the new placement policy just complete the guided self-placement tool under "Check my placement"

I've already taken math and English classes in college, do the new placement policies apply to me?

You will submit your official transcripts to Admission and Records to determine if you still need to take math or English atAllan Hancock College.

I'm taking a class for person enrichmenrt, do I still need to complete the placement process?

All students are given an initial placement for English and math regardless of educational goal. If you are only takeing a class for personal enrichment, you don't need to worry about English and math placement. However, if your educational goals change, you will want to check with a counselor about your options.

I have been out of high school for quite a while, does the new policy still apply to me?

Yes, the new placement process applies to all students. If you have been out of high school for more than 10 years, you will not be asked your high school data during the application process. However, you will still be given an initial placement. You can update your placement by taking the guided self-placement tool under "Check my placement".

How long does it take to get my placement results?

Once you submit the CCCApply Application, you should be able to see your placement results within a couple of days. Go to "Check my placement" to view placement results or update your placement by taking the guided self-placemet tool.

I was placed in transfer level math/English but I am not ready, what are my options?

Support courses are courses you take simultaneously in the same semester along with the transfer level course. If you were placed into a course with support recommended or required or, you feel you might need extra support for a transfer-level course based on your high school experience, English and math both offer support courses. The college also offers a variety of tutoring options. Plese see the "resource and support" section for more information.

Whom can I contact for more information?

Please contact the counseling department if you have any questions about placement or selecting the appropriate English, math or ESL course. Visit a counselor at any of these Hancock locations: Counseling Department (Santa Maria Campus, Lompoc Valley, Vandenberg, and Santa Ynez centers), EOPS, LAP, UTC, MESA, CAN, or Career Center.

I haven't decised on a major yet. What math class should I take?

Please contact the counseling department if you have any questions about placement or selecting the appropriate English, math, or ESL course. Visit a counselor at any of these Hancock locations: Counseling Department (Santa Maria Campus, Lompoc Valley, Vandenberg, and Santa Ynez centers), EOPS, LAP, UTC, MESA, CAN, or Career Center.

What if I only received a recommendation for support and not a requirement for support?

If you were placed into a course with support recommended and you feel you might need extra support, you should take the support course. If you feel confident that you can successfully complete the course without the support course, you are not required to take it.

If I did not receive a recommendation or requirement to a support course, can I still enroll in one?

You can still enroll in a support course even though you did not receive a recommendation. Support Courses are courses you take simultaneously in the same semester along with the transfer-level course. If you feel you might need extra support, you should take the support course. You can talk to a counselor for more information.

If I think I have been misidentified as a student that requires a support course, can I appeal my placement?

If you feel you have been misidentified, you can use the guided self-placement tool to update your placement just go to "Get my placemet". If you still feel your placement isn't right for you, please talk to a counselor. Visit a counselor at any of these Hancock locations: Counseling Department (Santa Maria Campus, Lompoc Valley, Vandenberg, and Santa Ynez centers), EOPS, LAP, UTC, MESA, CAN, or Career Center.