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 133-24-5 - Achieving Minimum Levels of Knowledge, Skill and Competency Needed for College

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
5.1.
				National standardized exams
Two important measures of the preparation of high school
				  students for college are the national standardized examinations, the ACT and
				  SAT tests. Under Higher Education Policy Commission policy, students are
				  normally expected to have achieved at least a score of 17 on the ACT exam (830
				  on the SAT-1 exam) to be eligible for admission to baccalaureate programs. By
				  2008, the recommended minimum score for baccalaureate institutions is 19 on the
				  ACT composite (910 on the SAT-1) exam. Several of the state colleges and
				  universities have established higher standardized exam scores for admission.
				  Additionally, certain academic degree programs also have a higher ACT score
				  requirement for admission to a program.
Another important standardized assessment indicator for
				  success in college, is the ACT Explore exam which is administered to all eighth
				  grade students in West Virginia schools. Correlation studies prepared by ACT
				  indicate that students who achieve a minimum of 17 on Explore should when
				  preparing to enter college achieve a score of 17 or higher on the ACT test.
				  Similarly, a student who achieves a score of 20 on Explore should achieve at
				  least a 19 on the ACT exam.
Many West Virginia high school students take the ACT Plan
				  assessment in the tenth grade. According to ACT correlation tables, students
				  receiving a 17 on Plan should score at least a 17 on the ACT exam and students
				  receiving a 19 on Plan should score at least 19 on the ACT test. The new
				  assessment program being developed for the K-12 schools will include ACT Plan
				  as a required instrument to be administered to tenth graders.
Although higher scores on standardized admission examinations
				  such as the ACT or SAT-1 are indications of a greater chance for success in
				  college, the possession of the ACT 17 (SAT 830) minimum score is not essential
				  for admission to college. The Community and Technical Colleges in West Virginia
				  have an open admission policy and provide developmental course opportunities
				  for students who have deficiencies in specific academic areas and who need
				  additional help before enrolling in an academic program.
5.2. West Virginia Board of Education
				requirements for graduation
The proposed new requirements for high school graduates being
				  considered by the West Virginia Board of Education will better prepare students
				  for success in college. All students, effective with the 2008 graduating class,
				  would be required to complete a 16-credit academic core. Additionally, students
				  completing the Professional Pathway (college preparatory) track would be
				  required to complete four credits in mathematics, four credits in science, and
				  two credits in foreign language. These requirements, which parallel the new
				  2008 baccalaureate academic standards, will provide high school graduates a
				  firmer academic foundation.