West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 133 - Higher Education Policy Commission › Title 133 - LEGISLATIVE RULE WEST VIRGINIA HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY COMMISSION › Series 133-24 - Preparation Of Students For College › Section 133-24-4 - Minimum Levels of Knowledge, Skill and Competency Needed for College

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
4.1. Though levels
				of preparation, knowledge and skills needed for success in a particular
				academic program may vary, there are certain minimal knowledge and skill levels
				students should possess on entering a higher education institution. In order to
				attain these levels, students should be encouraged to take rigorous coursework
				in high school and to complete a preparatory curriculum.
While the specific levels of knowledge, skill and competency
				  needed to be successful in post-secondary education may vary among types of
				  institutions and within academic programs, mastery of the following essential
				  skill areas and minimum levels of attainment should assure success in a
				  community and technical college, baccalaureate institution or other initial
				  post-secondary education setting.
4.2. Essential skill areas and minimum levels
				of attainment needed on entering college are:
4.2.1. English
A student will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficient use of English punctuation and
				  spelling;
- Demonstrate proficiency in grammar and usage, including the
				  ability to write complete, grammatical sentences with some variety in syntax;
				  and
- Write an essay with a central idea or thesis, an
				  introduction, body, and conclusion; paragraphs with topic sentences and
				  supporting details; appropriate word choice; and clear flow of ideas from one
				  part to another.
4.2.2.
				Reading/Study Skills
Proficient reading skills are essential for success in every
				  academic field, particularly humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
				  Similarly, effective study skills are essential for all academic areas. A
				  successful college student must be able to:
- Use word analysis to determine the meaning of unfamiliar
				  words;
- Use context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar
				  words;
- Read for the main idea;
- Read for information;
- Make inferences;
- Understand figurative language;
- Draw conclusions and predict outcomes;
- Recognize organizational patterns;
- Generalize;
- Evaluate ideas;
- Manage time effectively;
- Develop good notetaking and outlining skills for both
				  in-class and out-of-class activities; and
- Develop good test-taking skills
4.2.3. Mathematics
Algebra and geometry serve as gatekeepers to successful
				  college work. Students who successfully complete algebra and geometry in high
				  school are more likely to enter college and complete college than other
				  students. An entering college student must be able to:
- Simplify numerical expressions and evaluate algebraic
				  expressions;
- Represent problems and solve linear algebraic equations,
				  systems of equations, and inequalities;
- Use the laws of exponents and simplify square roots;
- Factor polynomials by applying various methods;
- Graph linear equations by the slope-intercept, point-slope,
				  and x and y intercept methods;
- Add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational
				  expressions;
- Solve quadratic equations with real roots by factoring,
				  completing the square, and using the quadratic formula;
- Apply the Pythagorean Theorem in solving practical problems
				  and in deriving the special right angle ratios;
- Develop basic concepts of analytical geometry such as
				  formulas for distance, slope, and midpoint;
- Collect, organize, and interpret data using graphs, charts,
				  and tables; and
- Demonstrate the ability to use logarithms.
4.2.4. Communication
Good skills in communication are important for success in
				  college. A student must be able to:
- Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the
				  fundamentals of effective communication;
- Demonstrate the ability to identify and use effective
				  strategies for formal and informal speaking situations in public, group, work
				  and personal settings;
- Demonstrate the ability to identify and use different
				  listening skills appropriate for diverse types and purposes of
				  listening;
- Demonstrate the ability to identify and use communication
				  strategies to enhance relationships and resolve conflicts.
4.2.5. Critical thinking, analysis, reasoning
It is important that a beginning college student possess the
				  ability to analyze, reason and think critically. These complex skills are
				  essential to all academic areas, but are particularly crucial to success in the
				  natural sciences and social studies. A student must have at least minimal
				  skills to:
- Understand and interpret data;
- Evaluate conflicting viewpoints;
- Demonstrate creative thinking and problem solving;
- Solve problems rationally; and
- Demonstrate "common sense"
4.2.6. Science
Proficiency in science incorporates mathematics and social
				  issues into the learning of basic scientific concepts. Students must be able
				  to:
- Identify a problem, recognize relevant/necessary
				  information for problem solving and inductively form a theory;
- Develop a hypothesis to test a given theory;
- Conduct a scientific inquiry and produce a written or oral
				  report;
- Solve problems which integrate science and mathematics with
				  technology;
- Apply scientific methods and knowledge to individual and
				  social issues;
- Recognize the diversity and unity of our natural
				  world;
- Recognize the basic components of matter, cells, and
				  tissue;
- Recognize levels of organization for living and non-living
				  systems.
4.2.7. Fine and
				Performing Arts
Recognizing the importance of the fine and performing arts is
				  essential to the well-being of a society. Students should receive exposure in
				  the fine and performing arts in the beginning stages of their education. This
				  significant aspect of life should not be left to chance. Specifically, students
				  must be provided opportunities to:
- Observe the fine and performing arts, namely art, music,
				  theater, and dance;
- Actively participate in activities in the fine and
				  performing arts.
4.2.8.
				Humanities
The basic humanities explore the worlds of language,
				  literature, classics, philosophy and/or religious studies. Specifically,
				  students must:
- Have the opportunity to participate in the humanities
				  including the study of foreign languages, world literature, the classics,
				  philosophy and/or religious studies;
- Recognize how symbolic texts are valued and revalued over
				  time as each generation examines them anew from its own current
				  perspective;
- Recognize the ways in which cultural values define what an
				  individual experiences as "reality," influence the channels available for human
				  expression, and affect the perception of an interaction among all areas of
				  experience.
4.2.9. Social
				Studies
The mastery of basic skills and understanding in the social
				  studies is essential. A student must be able to:
- Gather, classify, interpret, analyze, summarize,
				  synthesize, and evaluate the accuracy of information, i.e., credibility,
				  validity; reliability; comprehensiveness; bias; accuracy; frame of reference;
				  and currency;
- Interpret, critique, and design graphs, tables, timelines,
				  pictures, maps, and cartoons;
- Demonstrate knowledge of the contributions of key men and
				  women and the impact of major historical events;
- Demonstrate knowledge of the development of the United
				  States Constitution, its importance, and the adaptability and applications of
				  its principles in maintaining the political institutions that ensure the
				  liberty and equality of United States citizens.
4.2.10. Technological literacy
The ability to use computers and other forms of
				  telecommunication technology is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity. A
				  student must be able to:
- Keyboard effectively;
- Use computers for word processing and other academic
				  tasks;
- Use technology to communicate and to be an active
				  participant in the information age; and
- Demonstrate the ability to identify and use skills
				  necessary for competent participation in communication across various types of
				  electronic audio and visual media.
4.2.11. Citizenship
It is vital that a beginning college student exhibit good
				  citizenship behavior. While what constitutes good citizenship may be somewhat
				  nebulous, it is clear that a basic understanding of the rights and
				  responsibilities of living in a democratic society is an important part of the
				  educational process. A successful student must be able to:
- Demonstrate an appreciation of democratic values and
				  responsible participation in governing processes;
- Learn to work with others;
- Understand and appreciate diversities among people, groups,
				  and nations; and
- Learn to be respectful of personal dignity.