Equitable Placement

Important new statewide reforms are in place to provide every student with a strong start on their way to earning a degree, certificate, or transferring to a university.

This means colleges are now required to use high school coursework, grades, and GPAs – not standardized tests – to help determine the placement of students into English and math courses when entering community college.

Our goal is to help students complete transfer-level English and math coursework within their first year and to support English as a Second Language (ESL) students in completing their degree and transfer requirements in English within three years.

To set you up for success, you are eligible by default to enroll in transfer-level English and math courses without the need for assessment tests. We provide resources to help you navigate your coursework and achieve your educational goals, including:

• Academic counseling to guide you through course selection and degree planning.

• Education planning services to map out the most efficient path to graduation or transfer.

• Placement support to ensure you start in the right courses for your goals.

• Academic support services, such as tutoring, counseling, and co-requisite courses, to help you succeed.

If your goal is not transferring to a four-year university but completing a certificate or associate degree program, we will help you fulfill your math and English requirements within one year (or within three years for ESL students), ensuring you stay on track to reach your goals.

For High School Students

Did you know you don’t need to take a standardized assessment test for English or math classes when you enroll in a California community college?

Instead, you are eligible by default to directly enroll in transfer-level English and math courses required for your transfer destination. This helps you save time and money by avoiding non-transferable classes, allowing you to complete your higher education goals faster.

The transfer-level English and math courses will not duplicate the courses you already took in high school.

Unleash Your Potential – Follow These Steps:

1. Enroll in a California community college to receive access to transfer-level math and English classes. You can self-certify your high school transcript data and do not have to show your transcripts.

2. Take advantage of academic support such as tutoring, counseling, and co-requisite support classes to help you succeed.

3. Talk to an academic counselor at your college about support services for transfer-level English and math courses and to set up your education plan.

4. Meet with your counselor regularly to stay on track with your goals and academic progress.

Thinking about going back to school? You can skip pre-transfer level English and math courses when enrolling in a California community college—even if you have been out of school for more than 10 years!

You are eligible by default to enroll in transfer-level English and math courses and have access to free tutoring and support services to help you succeed. This will help you complete your degree faster and save money by avoiding unnecessary remedial classes.

Unleash Your Potential – Follow These Steps:

1. Enroll in a California community college to receive access to transfer-level math and English classes. You do not have to take an assessment test or show transcripts.

2. Use academic resources like tutoring, counseling, and co-requisite support classes to help you thrive.

3. Talk to an academic counselor about support services for transfer-level English and math courses and to develop your education plan.

4. Meet with your counselor regularly to stay on track toward your degree and career goals.

For Transfer-Seeking Community College Students

As a community college student, you are eligible by default to directly enroll in transfer-level English and math courses that are required for your transfer destination. This saves you time and money by limiting non-transferable coursework and helping you complete your educational goals faster.

You do not need to take an assessment test or show transcripts.

 Unleash Your Potential – Follow These Steps:

1. Meet with a campus academic counselor to help you enroll in transfer-level math and English classes. They can also help you develop an education plan and connect you to support services.

2. Use academic resources such as tutoring and co-requisite support classes to support your success.

3. Meet with a counselor regularly to stay on track with your goals and educational plan.

Speak to your high school or college counselor to get more information.

California community colleges give you limitless opportunities to improve your life. From workforce training to transfer opportunities, we are the backbone of higher education in California.

Take a clear path to the career you want through the education you deserve. Find your local college to learn more about how to access the right classes for you.