Dec 14, 2024  
2021-22 Catalog 
    
2021-22 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Assessment, Placement, and Educational Planning


Assessment and Placement
placeandtest.highline.edu

Most applicants who are new to college need a skills assessment to get placement into specific courses. The goal of placement is to assess and educate students about academic expectations of college courses, so they are able to effectively engage with course content, and have the best chances of being studdessful in their studies.  The placement process helps students choose courses that best match skills, abilities, and previous experience. Highline College uses a variety of measures to determine the most appropriate placement for students:  High school transcripts, Directed Self Placement, SBAC, SAT/ACT, and MyMathTest to name a few.  

For students who need to take MyMathTest or Accuplacer, they are encouraged to prepare.  Students can save money and time by refreshing their academic skills so that they do not register for courses with material previously learned.  Find preparation options and materials at placeandtest.highline.edu/prepare  There are no fees for placement tests at Highline College.  Please bring a photo ID to the Placement and Testing Center in building 1; no appointment is necessary.

Students with disabilities should contact Access Services at (206) 592-3857, if they will be requesting accommodations for placement testing. Access Services is located in Building 99.

Students who have attended a college or university prior to enrolling at Highline may be exempt from taking placement tests. The Educational Planning and Advising Center will provide individual evaluations for students who are uncertain about their need for assessment. Students should bring their college transcripts to the center or e-mail advising@highline.edu. Students with transfer credits from a college or university should have the classes evaluated for transfer credit.

Prior Learning Assessment
pla.highline.edu
(206) 592-4145

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is the process for awarding credit for learning that has taken place away from the college classroom.

Advising and Educational Planning
advising.highline.edu
(206) 592-3584

Educational planning starts before enrolling in classes and continues as students complete their educational programs at Highline College. The planning process involves much more than selecting classes. It involves assessing academic skills, defining goals and developing strategies to achieve educational success.

Students should meet with an educational planner prior to their first quarter. It is recommended that students meet regularly to review performance, plan class schedules and discuss educational and career goals. Educational Planning & Advising Center (EPAC) advisers can help students understand program prerequisites, locate campus resources and explain Highline and university transfer policies. The center has college catalogs, transfer and planning guides, and Internet and e-mail advising resources. Advisers can provide valuable information and guidance, but ultimately each student is responsible for knowing Highline’s degree and college transfer requirements.

Students should request a faculty adviser during their first two quarters at Highline. The student and faculty adviser share a common interest: the student’s education. Each student’s faculty adviser can help select classes and develop a realistic and successful educational plan.

Some students prefer to make class selections without an adviser’s assistance; in other words, they prefer to find out what they need to do, select classes and plan their programs without the assistance of an adviser. However, students frequently find that most transfer and professional-technical programs demand careful planning and complex decision-making.  Therefore, most students will benefit from meeting with an adviser upon completing 30 credits at the college, and again two quarters before they plan to graduate.

Evening and distance learning students should make every effort to meet with faculty advisers. If scheduling an appointment with a faculty adviser is not possible, EPAC provides general advising during limited evening hours, as well as online and via the phone. For the center’s hours and further information, visit the Advising website.