English and Math Placement FAQs

Welcome to English and Math Placement

Frequently Asked Questions

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How has placement in English and math at Porterville College changed?

At Porterville College, we are no longer placing students below transfer level in English and math. Students who previously would have been placed into these courses will instead enroll in one of our transfer-level courses with corequisite support.

Placement changes are mandated by AB 705, a bill passed unanimously by the California Legislature in 2017.

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How have the English and math course sequences changed?

All students will be placed into transfer-level English and math; however, based on multiple measures, some students will be required to take a corequisite support course to help them succeed in the transfer-level course. Others may choose to enroll in the support course if they feel they need to.

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Do I need to complete an English and a math course to graduate from Porterville College and/or transfer to a four-year university?

Yes, students are required to take English P101A and a transfer-level math course to graduate from Porterville College and/or transfer to a four-year university.

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Will there be any below-transfer-level courses in English and math?

As of summer 2019, Porterville College will no longer offer courses below transfer level in English and math. Students who previously would have been placed into below-transfer-level courses will instead enroll in one of our transfer-level courses with corequisite support.

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What is corequisite support?

Corequisite support refers to a class taught alongside a transfer-level English or math course. The corequisite course provides an opportunity for students who previously would have been placed below transfer level to get the support they need to succeed at transfer level.

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What type of support does Porterville College offer to students in English and math classes?

Porterville College offers many learning support programs that are all free of charge and open to all Porterville College students:

Learning Center

The Learning Center is the hub of learning support services at Porterville College. It is located in the Learning Resource Center (LRC) and there you will find tutors, Writing Mentors, Math Mentors, and math, English, and ESL instructors who are ready to help. The Learning Center is open Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Phone: (559) 791-2227.

Math Mentors

The Math Mentors are available on a walk-in, first come, first served basis. The sessions last up to 20 minutes but can be longer if there is no one waiting. The mentors are able to help PC students with the full range of math classes. See the Math Mentor schedule in the Learning Center.

Writing Mentors

Writing Mentors assist other students with their assignments in English on a drop-in basis. Students may work with mentors on any writing assignment they are completing for any course at the college, and at any stage of the writing process, from learning how to generate ideas to mastering proofreading techniques. Mentors work out of an office in the Learning Center, where they have available a computer, writing manuals, and other resources. Students are free to drop in on a first come, first served basis throughout the semester. See the Writing Mentor schedule in the Learning Center.

Peer-Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) Leaders

A PASS leader is a student who has succeeded in a specific course and the instructor has chosen to act as a role model for other students. The PASS leader holds scheduled bi-weekly or tri-weekly study sessions for small groups of students in his or her course. A PASS leader's role is to demonstrate to other students how to succeed in a specific course with a particular instructor. See the PASS Leaders schedule in the Learning Center.

Assistance from Faculty

Students can seek assistance from a professor on duty in their designated discipline. The professors are available to students on a drop-in basis and their schedule is located in the Learning Center.

Peer and Embedded Tutors

Students can receive assistance from Peer and Embedded Tutors via drop-in and/or recurring appointments. Drop-in tutoring is on a first come, first served basis with the tutor on duty for the desired subject. Drop-in tutoring sessions are approximately 20 minutes. Students can arrange to have designated, recurring appointments with a specific tutor. Please contact the Learning Center for further details about schedules. Embedded Tutors also attend classes with students and provide tutoring assistance during the class. All tutors are CRLA International Tutor Training Program Certified. See the tutor schedule in the Learning Center.

Writing Center

The Writing Center is an academic support service for currently enrolled PC students. It provides one-on-one assistance to students during any phase of the writing process: brainstorming, prewriting, researching, drafting, and revising. The following services are available to students who use the Writing Center: open computers for students to work on a paper or writing project (on any subject) that is open to receiving guidance, and tutors, mentors, and faculty available to review papers. The Writing Center is open on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Fridays 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Library

Porterville College Library provides information resources in a variety of formats and functions: print books and periodicals, reserves, reference, fiction, poetry, non-fiction, media, Valley Writers, and more. Computers provide students with access to online databases, full-text electronic books, and the Internet. Wi-Fi is available. Students can do their homework in the study rooms, carrels, and the comfortable, quiet reading area. Card-activated copiers and printers are available. Key library services include checking out circulating books and reserve items as well as reference librarian assistance.

General Counseling Office

Your counselor will be able to answer any questions you have about course requirements, degree requirements, or schedules. The services of counselors are available to all students at Porterville College. A counselor will help you reach your educational goal—whether it be graduating from Porterville College with an associate degree, transferring to a four-year college, obtaining a certificate, improving your vocational skills, learning English as a Foreign Language, or taking courses for personal and professional growth. Phone: (559) 791-2329.

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What student support services does Porterville College offer?

Disability Resource Center (DRC)

The DRC is located in AC-115. Services will be based on the level of disability and the academic needs of each student. Students may be interested in improving job skills, getting a vocational certificate, pursuing personal enrichment, or planning to transfer to a four-year college. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandate that students with learning, physical, or other types of disabilities receive services to allow an equal experience in education. The Disability Resource Center is the central area for these free services. Students can make alternate media requests through the Disability Resource Center. Students with a verifiable disability who are not participants in the Disability Resource Center program, but who still wish to utilize special accommodations, should contact the Vice President of Student Services in AC-126.

Wellness Center

Porterville College is dedicated to bettering the health and well-being of each student. The purpose of this section is to empower the whole student with personal, social, and community resources for self-development and personal enrichment, thereby enhancing academic success and retention through improved student wellness.

CalWORKs

The CalWORKs Program provides services to students who receive TANF (Temporary Aid for Needy Families, formally known as AFDC) and who have been referred by their TulareWORKs caseworker and monitors academic progress. Other services include CalWORKs work study (on- and off-campus), job placement, job search skills, resume writing, interviewing techniques, academic advising, books, funding for child care, mileage reimbursement, and job readiness workshops.

EOPS/CARE

EOPS provides services to students who are educationally and economically disadvantaged. The program is funded through the State of California and the local community college district. CARE eligible students may receive assistance through childcare grants, book awards, meal cards, supplies, and special interest workshops.

Transfer Center

The Transfer Center is available to assist students in making their transition to a four-year college or university a successful one. Here you will find resources and services that will assist you in researching public and private universities.

Veterans Resource Center

To assist our veterans with their transition from the military to the classroom, Porterville College provides a Veterans Resource Center (VRC) located in the Academic Center building, room 116. The VRC is a relaxing place for student veterans to gather, meet with the veterans' counselor, study, talk with representatives from veteran service providers, or just enjoy the camaraderie of fellow veterans on campus. In addition, the center provides a copy machine for veteran use, a study room with computers, and a lounge area to have lunch or just take a break.

General Counseling Office

Your counselor will be able to answer any questions you have about course requirements, degree requirements, or schedules. The services of counselors are available to all students at Porterville College. A counselor will help you reach your educational goal—whether it be graduating from Porterville College with an associate degree, transferring to a four-year college, obtaining a certificate, improving your vocational skills, learning English as a Foreign Language, or taking courses for personal and professional growth. Phone: (559) 791-2329.

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What happens if students fail?

Some students will not pass the first time and will have options to retake the course. Porterville College recommends that if a student fails a transfer-level course, he or she strongly consider taking the corequisite option if it is available.

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What if I've already taken English or math at Porterville College?

If you have already taken and passed the transfer-level course in math and/or English at Porterville College, the placement changes will not affect you.

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How will I know which math course is best for my degree path?

Contact the General Counseling Office at (559) 791-2329 to schedule an appointment with a Counselor to discuss your educational plan and course options.

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Can I challenge my math placement?

Yes, if you disagree with your math placement, you can take a challenge exam. If you pass the challenge exam, you can take a higher-level math class. Contact the Learning Center for more information at (559) 791-2227.

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What is Math P101A: Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus?

Math P101A is a transfer-level class that combines trigonometry and precalculus topics into a one semester course. This course is intended for STEM-major students with strong intermediate algebra skills. Upon completion of the class, students can enroll in Calculus 1 (Math P103).

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What is Math P100: College Algebra with Math P050: Corequisite Support?

Math P100 is a transfer-level class comparable to precalculus. This course is intended for STEM-major students whose intermediate algebra skills need reinforcement. Students who take Math P100 also enroll in Math P050 (the corequisite support), where they receive two hours of extra assistance each week. Upon successful completion of Math P100/Math P050, students will be able to enroll in Trigonometry (Math P101), followed by Calculus 1 (Math P103).

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What is Math P110: College Algebra for Liberal Arts?

Math P110 is a transfer-level class that expands on intermediate algebra topics but in less detail than in Math P100. This course is intended for non-STEM-major students, students majoring in education, and students with undeclared majors. In many cases, Math 110 can serve as an option to Statistics (Math P122) to satisfy the transfer-level math requirement.

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What is Math P110: College Algebra for Liberal Arts with Math 010X: Corequisite Support?

Students who choose to enroll in Math P110, but lack basic algebra skills, will also take the corequisite support class Math 010X. Math 010X provides two hours per week of additional support to help students be successful in Math P110.

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What is Math 122: Statistics with Math P022X: Corequisite Support?

Math P122 (Statistics) is a transfer-level course intended for non-STEM-major students. Math 022X provides two hours per week of corequisite support to help students be successful in Math P122. For most students, Math P122 is the final math course they need prior to transfer.

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What will happen to Math P051: Intermediate Algebra, Math P055: Elementary Algebra, Math PQ: Applied Algebra, and Math PS: Accelerated Algebra?

At Porterville College, we are no longer offering Math P051, P055, PQ, or PS. Students who previously would have been placed into these courses will instead enroll in one of our transfer-level courses with corequisite support (Math P100 with P050, Math P122 with P022X, or Math P110 with P010X).

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What if a course has a prerequisite of Math P051: Intermediate Algebra?

If you are enrolling in a class at Porterville College that has Math P051 as a prerequisite, you can take the course with corequisite support if it is available. If no corequisite course is available, you can meet the prerequisite by passing any of the following transfer-level courses in the math sequence: College Algebra (Math P100), Trigonometry (Math P101), Precalculus (Math P102), Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus (P101A), College Algebra for Liberal Arts (P110), or any course from the calculus sequence (Math P103, P104, P205, or P206).

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What is English P101A: Expository Composition with English P01AX: Expanded Expository Composition?

English P101A: Expository Composition is a transfer-level course. English P01AX: Expanded Expository Composition is a corequisite support class that is taught immediately following English P101A by the same instructor. Based on multiple measures, some students will be required to take English P01AX to help them succeed in English P101A. Other students may choose to enroll in a section of English P101A that has the corequisite English P01AX if they feel like they would like the support the course provides.

In order to decide if English P101A with English P01AX or English P101L is right for you, refer to the English guided self-placement.

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What is English P101L: Layered Expository Composition?

English P101L: Layered Expository Composition is a different approach to transfer-level composition. Instead of offering support alongside English P101A, English P101L builds gradually, beginning with basic skills and layering instruction throughout the semester.

In order to decide if English P101A with English P01AX or English P101L is right for you, refer to the English guided self-placement.

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What is an informed consent?

If a student is placed into English P101A with English P01AX or English 101L and chooses instead to take English P101A without the corequisite support, he or she must sign an informed consent form acknowledging that the student is opting out of the course structure that Porterville College believes will give the student the best chance at success in the transfer-level course.

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What is guided self-placement?

In order to decide if English P101A with English P01AX or English P101L is right for you, refer to the English guided self-placement.

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How will ESL change?

Changes in ESL placement are still being made by the Chancellor's Office. AB 705 mandates that colleges will need to place ESL students to maximize the probability that a student will enter and complete transfer-level coursework within a three-year timeframe. Porterville College's ESL course sequence is designed to streamline student success and leads directly to English P101A, the transfer-level course.

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Whom should I contact for help?

For most questions, please contact the Counseling Center at (559) 791-2329.

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Key Terms

STEM-Major: Students majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics fields.

AB 705: In 2017, the California Legislature unanimously passed AB 705. This bill mandated that colleges use high school GPA, coursework, and/or high school grades to place students, and it required colleges to maximize the probability that a student will enter and complete transfer-level coursework in English and mathematics within a one-year timeframe. For more information, please visit the Chancellor's Office website.