Testing policies and procedures

The Porterville College Learning Center provides comprehensive testing services to meet the needs of our PC students and community. Exams are proctored in a distraction-reduced environment and testing is monitored throughout the testing period. Test proctoring is available to accommodate Disability Resource Center (DRC) students, PC students who need make-up testing, and KCCD testing free of charge. Proctored testing services for community members outside of the KCCD district is available for a fee of $20 per appointment payable to the Porterville College Business Office.

Procedure for Testing Services: Students

Note: All students must schedule an appointment at least 3 business days (72 hours) prior to the test date. Exceptions to this rule will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If you do not need accommodations and are making up an exam, please skip to Step 3.

1. Meet with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) to create an Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP).
2. Once completed, DRC will provide email notification of the AAP to Professors and Learning Center staff.
3. Make an appointment to take your test in the Learning Center at least 3 business days (72 hours) in advance. The hours of the Learning Center are 7:00 am-7:00 pm, Monday -Thursday, and 8:00 am-12:00 pm, Fridays. You may schedule an appointment through one of the following methods:

• Phone: 559-791-2227
• Email: pclrc@portervillecollege.edu
• In-Person: LRC-503
• You will receive an email confirmation once your testing appointment has been confirmed.
• Notify your instructor of your testing arrangements (date and time).
• Arrive for your testing appointment 10-15 minutes early.
• Only approved items are allowed inside the testing room. All other items and belongings will be stored in designated cubbies inside the LRC storage room, separate from the testing room.
• Take and complete your exam. Return your exam and other applicable testing materials (such as notes and/or scratch paper as designated by professor exam instructions) to the Learning Center staff.

Procedure for Testing Services: Instructors

Note: If we have not received the exam and parameters by 5:00pm on the day prior to a scheduled test, the testing appointment will be rescheduled.

1. Instructors will receive notice from the Disability Resource Center that a student is receiving accommodation via an Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP). The AAP provides professors and LRC staff with a list of student-approved accommodations.

• Note: if a student is make-up testing,
• Once the student has scheduled their testing appointment at the Learning Center, the Learning Center staff will provide an email notification informing you that the student has an upcoming testing appointment.
• Complete the Learning Center Testing Intake Form. Completion of this form will provide Learning Center staff with pertinent information regarding exam guidelines, time limits, approved items, delivery methods, and/or access codes. This form is to be completed for each student’s testing appointment, by 5:00pm on the day prior to the scheduled test.
• Drop off the exam to Learning Center staff ahead of time in LRC-503, submit login information/requirements necessary to begin examination, or email the exam topclrc@portervillecollege.edu (only authorized staff can access this email account). This must be done by 5:00pm on the day before the testing appointment, otherwise the appointment will be rescheduled.
• Learning Center staff will provide email notification once the exam has been completed. For exam returns, instructors may choose one of the following:

1. Online exam, no return needed.
2. Collect the exam via pick up in LRC-503.
3. Scanned PDF via email. (The original will be kept until confirmation of its receipt is received.)
4. Secured in a sealed envelope and returned to class with the student.

Note: Exams cannot be returned via faculty mailboxes. Learning Center staff will always be present in the Learning Center to proctor and maintain the academic integrity of student exams.

Back to Top

Note: These items are strictly prohibited unless previously approved by the instructor prior to the student's testing appointment. All non-approved items are stored in the LRC storage room in designated cubbies separate from the testing area. Students will not have access to these items while they are testing:

• Cellphone
• Smartwatches
• Earphones
• Calculator
• Notes
• Textbooks
• Practice Tests
• Other Software Programs
• Additional Websites
• Course Modules
• Other Items/Materials/Technology/Software as Designated by the Class Instructor

Note: The Learning Center may provide a pencil, calculator, and blank scratch paper to students who do not bring their own (only if previously approved).

Back to Top

The Porterville College Learning Center works in conjunction with the Disability Resource Center's (DRC) services to provide appropriate testing accommodations for students. Test proctoring is an opportunity to provide equal access to testing and does NOT provide an unfair advantage to Disability Resource Center (DRC) students. Such approved accommodations include but are not limited to readers, extended time, and/or use of assistive technology programs.

Per Provision of Title III of the ADA, 42 USC Section 12189:

“Any person that offers examinations or courses related to applications, licensing, certification, or credentialing for secondary or postsecondary education, professional, or trade purposes shall offer such examinations of courses in a place and manner accessible to persons with disabilities or offer alternative accessible arrangements for such individuals.”

In order to uphold standards following Title III of the ADA, 42 USC Section 12189, instructors will need to allow flexibility in when students can take their exams. Students' testing appointment time frames may vary from class start time. This is done to provide students with their extended accommodated time or when they have multiple exams in one day.

Testing accommodations are provided to students with abilities after a thorough review of disability documentation and a comprehensive process between the students and DRC office via an Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP). Once AAPs are processed, faculty and Learning Center staff are notified via email communication of the student's utilization of academic accommodations during the indicated semester. The Learning Center offers a distraction-reduced environment and provides equal access to students with disabilities to their testing ability.

The following accommodations may be approved through the student's Academic Accommodation Plan:

• Extended Test Time: 1.5x, 2x, 2.5x or more
• Distraction-reduced test location
• Alternate test location
• Use of calculator on tests
• Use spellcheck on tests
• Reader on tests
• Scribe on tests
• Memory Aide/Cue Sheet
• Use of computer/assistive software on tests
• Stand/move/frequent breaks during tests
• Listen to music during tests
• Sign Language interpreter
• Fidget device
• Adjustment of exam mode or length
• Service animal

Interpreter Requests for Testing Appointments:

Students requesting a Sign Language Interpreter for their appointment must schedule at least 3 business days (72 hours) prior to the test date. Interpreter requests may be submitted by the student themselves or Learning Center staff and can be completed through the Sign Language Interpreter Request Form located on the DRC website.

Exams taken with Canvas:

• Before a student with accommodated extended time begins their exam, the instructor must extend the time (based on their AAP form) directly in Canvas for the student.

Back to Top

The Porterville College Learning Center agrees to:

1. Maintain a safe, secure, and confidential testing environment where student information remains protected, in accordance with FERPA.
2. Administer all tests, policies, and procedures in a fair, impartial, and equitable manner.
3. Proctor all exams in a way that minimizes acts of dishonesty and distraction and supports the right of individuals to take a test in a quiet & safe environment.

Academic Dishonesty Procedures (cheating, violating policies):

• In accordance with KCCD Board Policy 5500, “Cheating, plagiarism (including plagiarism in a student publication), or engaging in other academic dishonesty,” is a direct violation of the Standards of Student Conduct.
• Students who are found to be engaging in academic dishonesty or violating Learning Center testing policies will be notified by Learning Center staff of what was observed. Learning Center staff will document and submit academic dishonesty violations via email communication to the class instructor and Reagen Dozier, Director of Student Success Programs (MESA Coordinator).
• It is the discretion of the instructor on how to proceed with academic dishonesty and may lead to termination of the exam, and/or forwarding the violation to Student Conduct.

Learning Center Technicians' Role:

The Learning Center Technicians' priority is to ensure that the academic integrity of student exams remains intact during the entire duration of the proctored testing appointment. Learning Center Technicians:

• Will provide verbal instructions to students on the parameters of their exam and Learning Center testing policies and procedures.
• Will review all approved items that students can use for their exam and will ensure that all unapproved items are stored in the storage room separate from the testing area. Technicians can provide additional scratch paper, pencil, or calculator if previously approved by the instructor.
• Will review that time limits were extended on Canvas exams for students with accommodations. Learning Center Technicians will calculate extended time limits for paper exams.
• Cannot provide any assistance in answering questions, writing prompts, solving problems, or assisting in the completion of any exam.
• May only re-read exam directions or questions to provide clarification to the student. Providing the definitions, spelling, or example of a word or term that pertains to class material or leads to an answer is strictly prohibited.
• May provide technical support to students on operating their computer, Canvas assistance on starting and submitting their exams, or general troubleshooting of technical errors.

.
Back to Top

Proctored testing services for community members outside of the KCCD district are available for a fee of $25.00 per appointment. The Learning Center is able to accommodate paper-based exams, and computer-based exams via Canvas and other school programs. Please see a step-by-step guide on scheduling your testing appointment below:

Scheduling a Testing Appointment:

1. Reach out to pclrc@portervillecollege.edu or by phone at 559-791-2227 to inquire about scheduling a testing appointment. Please mention that you are a community member outside of the KCCD district seeking test proctoring services.
2. Provide the following information to LRC staff. This will help LRC coordinate your exam and verify if our center's services will suffice the parameters of your instructor and institution:
3. Institution Name
4. Instructor Name
5. Instructor Email
6. Course Name and Number
7. Exam Type
8. Please pay the $25.00 fee at the Porterville College Business Office prior to scheduling the exam. Request receipt.
9. Location: Academic Center (AC) Building AC-102
100 E. College Ave, Porterville, CA 93257
10. Phone: 559-791-2492
11. Provide confirmation of receipt at Porterville College Learning Center
12. Location: Learning Center (LRC) Building LRC-503
100 E. College Ave, Porterville CA 93257
13. Phone: 559-791-2227
14. Meet with the Learning Center Technician to schedule and confirm your appointment.

Back to Top

Learning Resource Center Building, LRC-503
100 E College Ave.
Porterville, CA 93257

Phone: 559-791-2227
Email: pclrc@portervillecollege.edu

Hours: Monday - Thursday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm, Fridays: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. (During the summers, we are closed on Fridays.)

For more information, please contact:

Samuel Perez, Learning Center Technician (7:00am - 7pm Monday - Thursday, 8am - 12pm Friday)
samuel.perez@portervillecollege.edu | 559-791-2227

Joe Romero, Learning Center Technician, Evening Substitute (4:00pm-7:00pm Monday - Thursday, 8am - 12pm Friday)
joe.romero@portervillecollege.edu | 559-791-2227

Reagen Dozier, Director of Student Success Programs (MESA Coordinator)
reagen.dozier@portervillecollege.edu | 559-791-2271

Back to Top

1. All testing appointments must be scheduled at least 3 business days (72 hours) in advance.
2. All students requesting an interpreter for their testing appointment must schedule at least 3 business days (72 hours) in advance.
3. Only approved items by the instructor are allowed in the testing room and will be reviewed by the Learning Center staff prior to the test.
4. The use of cellphones, smartwatches, and electronic devices is strictly prohibited while testing.
5. The use of notes, textbooks, practice tests, and additional class materials is strictly prohibited unless previously approved by the instructor.
6. The use of software, websites, course modules, or any digital programs is strictly prohibited unless previously approved by the instructor.
7. All other items and belongings will be stored in designated cubbies inside the LRC storage room, separate from the testing area. No items are allowed in pockets.
8. Learning Center Technicians and staff can only re-read exam questions to provide clarification. Providing the definition, spelling, or example of a word or term that pertains to class material or leads to an answer is prohibited.

Back to Top