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	Placement Testing Information




		PLACEMENT CRITERIA FOR POSTSECONDARY CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

		Depending on the program, MDC administers the TABE Complete Battery or Survey, Level A, Forms 9 and 10. Levels D & M may be used if the completion level of the program is at the 9th grade level or less. Level D may also be used for the higher grade levels on an as needed basis for post-testing purposes. Completion of a prescribed remediation program consisting of at least 60 hours of instruction is required prior to retesting with a minimum 30-day period between retests. Notes: The same TABE Form and Level should not be administered within a six-month period. Remediation should include 60 hours of instruction between pre/and post-testing, using an alternate version of the TABE and at least 120 hours of instruction when using the same level and same form. If no formal instruction is provided or documented, six months should elapse when using the same level, same form. The TABE may not be used as a sole determinant for entry into a career and technical education program. Minimum basic skills levels as grade equivalents in mathematics, language, and reading are defined in each career certificate program description adopted under Rule 6A-6.0571, and updated annually in a Basic Skills Document that is available via http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/ (Related Documents section). Refer to this document for minimum required basic skills grade levels to earn a certificate by program. Agencies sponsoring career certificate seeking students may set higher requirements and exemptions for testing. CPT scores to TABE grade equivalencies may be done by the campus Testing Directors based upon an approved State chart and institutional memorandum (page 9). Students without sufficient English proficiency are referred to the Adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. Refer to Section IV-C (page 11).

		Who is required to take the TABE? All first-time-in-program students who designate themselves as certificate-seeking in a program of 450 hours or more. Such students must complete an entry-level examination within the first six weeks of admission into the program. All students whose TABE (or other approved examination) scores are more than two years old and have not been used for placement. Allstudents whose TABE (or other approved examination) scores are more than two years old and who have had a break in their enrollment of more than one year.

		Who is exempt from the TABE? Student who have earned an associate degree or higher from an institution recognized by MDC (Except in specific situations such as certain programs sponsored by external funding agencies). Official documentation is required. Students with foreign degrees from non-English speaking countries must present passing IELTS or TOEFL scores. Students who present FCAT (Grade 10), SAT, ACT, or CPT/PERT scores which exempt them from college preparatory placement as outlined in Section I, Exemptions From Testing, Item #5 (see below) are exempt from testing for career certificate programs. Any score presented which is lower than the score needed for exemption will require the student to be tested on the appropriate TABE subtest(s). [Students who present FCAT (Grade 10 - Reading > 355 or Level 4 and Math > 375 or Level 5), SAT, or ACT scores meeting State requirements. If multiple test results are on record, the highest subtest scores are used. Any score presented which is lower than the score needed for exemption will require the student to be tested on the appropriate CPT/PERT subtest(s). For students presenting passing mathematics scores in specific score ranges (ACT Mathematics = 19-20 and SAT Mathematics = 440-490), the CPT college-level mathematics subtest and the PERT mathematics subtest may be used to determine placement into advanced mathematics courses (e.g., MAC 1105, MGF 1106, MGF 1107, STA 2023, etc.).] Students who have met the College-Level Academic Skills (CLAS) requirement are exempt from testing for career certificate programs. Any skill area which has not been met will require the student to be tested on the appropriate TABE subtest(s). Students who present official scores on any of the state-approved examinations (including the CPT/PERT) which demonstrate the skill level required by the specific program. The scores must have been obtained within the past two years. Students seeking entrance into the MDC School of Criminal Justice Corrections and Law Enforcement programs pursuant to Section 943.17(6) F.S. are exempt from entry-level basic skills testing. This exemption does not apply to the Florida Basic Abilities Test (F-BAT) requirement for entry into basic recruit training programs. Students enrolled in a State approved apprenticeship program are exempt from the requirement of taking the TABE test.

		Who is exempt from meeting the basic skills exit score requirement only? Studentswho who attempted the TABE at least two times and passed a State, national or industry licensure exam related to the program of study and identified by the Department of Education, Division of Career and Adult Education are exempt from meeting the basic skills exit score requirement in the related program. The identified credentialing examination has to be specific to the career and must be necessary in order to work in that field. Documentation supporting the successful completion of the credentialing examination is required. The Basic Skills Licensure Exemption List that is used for meeting this requirement is available via http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/ (Related Documents section).

	Last updated: 6/20/2011
	For more information including exams offered, contact the Campus Testing Office of your choice.