Placement

Incoming undergraduate students who have submitted iBT (TOEFL) or IELTS scores may be placed into ELP classes based on their iBT TOEFL or IELTS scores without taking the EPT if they have the minimum scores listed below. Students without iBT TOEFL or IELTS scores will take the WildCAT English Proficiency Test (EPT).

Minimum scores for placement by TOEFL or IELTS are:

Placement into High Intermediate English

Note for undergraduate students admitted to a degree program: 1 or more passing part score (iBT 20 / IELTS 6.5) will allow the student to take 1 university class (3 credit hours).

Note for Sponsored students: If your Sponsor does not allow for part-time English / part-time university classes, you will be enrolled in Full-Time English at their request.

*Duolingo pilot: As we gather data on the efficacy of using DET scores for this purpose, students placed into ELP classes using DET scores will also take the WildCAT EPT either online or upon arrival at Kansas State University. Students will get the higher placement of the DET or EPT scores.

Placement into Advanced English**

Note for undergraduate students admitted to a degree program: 1 or more passing part score (iBT 20 / IELTS 6.5) will allow the student to take 1university class (3 credit hour) for each passing score.

Note for Sponsored students: If your Sponsor does not allow for part-time English / part-time university classes, you will be enrolled in Full-Time English at their request.

*Duolingo pilot: As we gather data on the efficacy of using DET scores for this purpose, students placed into ELP classes using DET scores will also take the WildCAT EPT either online or upon arrival at Kansas State University. Students will get the higher placement of the DET or EPT scores.

**Placement into 163 and 166: DET minimum part scores of 100 for all areas, iBT total scores higher than 64 (minimum part scores 16-29), or IELTS total scores of 6.0 with minimum part scores of 6.0 may qualify to enroll in fewer hours of English classes and place into DAS 163 and DAS 166.

Undergraduate students in levels 136-150 will take the WildCAT EPT at the end of every semester and have the possibility to skip levels based on their EPT scores.

End-of-semester Placement Criteria

At the end of the semester, students in Beginning through Intermediate levels (DAS 136-DAS 150) are assigned to more English classes or allowed to take one or more university classes (if they have admission to an undergraduate degree program). The placements are based on the following:

• Course Grades: In order to advance to the next level, students must earn Credit (a grade of 70% or higher) in all skill area classes (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking). This policy goes into effect in Fall 2018. Grades of Credit before Fall 2018 may not be used to advance to the next level.
• English Proficiency Test Scores

The ELP has a three-part process to reach final placement of students at the end of the semester:

Step 1: Pre-placement

1. Students are initially placed according to the guidelines described above.
   
2. The pre-placement list is then given to the teachers for their consideration.

Step 2: Instructor Request for Placement Changes

1. Instructors who feel that a student has been misplaced submit a request change form along with evidence of the student’s work. The Appeals Committee reviews requests and evidence and makes changes if they are justified.
2. Results are printed and given to students.

Step 3: Student Appeals of Placement

1. Students may fill out an appeal form and submit it with any additional information or evidence by a set deadline.
2. The Appeals Committee reviews the appeals and makes changes if justified.

Advanced English I and Advanced English II are the exit level and are graded according to the University's letter grade system. These classes will affect a student's undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA). We expect students in these levels to leave (exit) the ELP after successfully completing either of these courses of study. Students will get letter grades (A, B, C, D, F) in the exit level classes. Undergraduate students who get grades of A, B, or C pass the class and do not have to take more ELP classes in that skill. Students who get a grade of D or F must retake the class.

Students who earn grades of D or F and are required to retake this course will also be required to take a 2-credit hour Academic Coaching class to help them be successful at the university.

If you have questions or concerns about your grades, talk to your teacher first. After talking to your teacher, you can talk to an ELP Advisor if you need more help. Students who think their grades should be changed and can't solve the problem by talking to their teacher, can follow the university Student Grievance Procedures. An ELP Advisor or the Student Ombudsperson can help you understand this process.

Students who are admitted to an undergraduate degree program, have demonstrated English Proficiency in at least one skill area, and are placed into Advanced English II will be allowed to take at least one academic class while they study in the ELP.

Students placed into Advanced English I or II + University class(es) will have their total enrollment hours limited to help ensure their success in both their English and academic classes during their transition into full-time study outside of the ELP. There will be no exceptions to this policy.

For students placed into Advanced English I or II + University class(es), their ELP classes will be scheduled first and will be given priority over scheduling academic classes.

If you have questions while studying in the ELP Exit Levels, please contact Leena Chakrabarti.

Undergraduate Enrollment Limits

(*DAS 158 does not count toward the Total Credit Hours Limit)

Retaking Classes

Other Policies

Students with a low GPA may be dismissed from the university or from professional academic programs (such as Business or Engineering).

Students who take the TOEFL or other English test while enrolled in ELP Exit Level classes must still complete the courses they are enrolled in. Earning passing scores on the TOEFL or another English test will not change their enrollment for the current semester or their grades in ELP classes. The grades earned in the Exit Level classes will still be a permanent part of the student's K-State record and undergraduate GPA.

Undergraduate students may demonstrate English Proficiency prior to arriving at K-State in a variety of ways.

• Students may demonstrate English proficiency by achieving the following scores on the ELP's English Proficiency Test. Students enrolled in levels 136-150 may also demonstrate English proficiency with their EPT scores at the end of each semester.

Undergraduate students enrolled in the ELP Exit Level, demonstrate English proficiency by passing these classes with grades of A, B, or C. Requirements for graduate students depend on Graduate School and program of study requirements.

In addition to demonstrating English proficiency, a student must be admitted to a degree program at Kansas State University before beginning university classes outside of the English Language Program.

Beginning of Semester

If a student self identifies as being placed in the wrong level, the student is asked to attend class and show rather than tell his/her teacher through performance in class. If they truly are misplaced, the teacher will follow the procedures to identify misplaced students.

In unusual circumstances, students who provide additional evidence of language proficiency (TOEFL, transfer scores) or were tested under less than ideal conditions (unexpected noise, health conditions, etc.) may be retested or may have their placement reevaluated based on the evidence provided.

End-of-Semester

Students in levels 136-150 will receive their end-of-semester placement sheets through K-State webmail. These sheets include results from the latest WildCAT EPT, final course grades, and the student’s placement for the next semester. Placement appeal forms with instructions are posted on the ELP webpage. Students complete the forms and submit them by email to elp@ksu.edu.

Final course grades for exit-level ELP classes are available to students on KSIS.

If you have been dismissed from the English Language Program, you may appeal your dismissal by the deadline prior to the beginning of the next semester. For more information, contact elp@ksu.edu.

Undergraduate students in levels 136-150 will take the WildCAT EPT at the end of every semester and have the possibility to skip levels based on their EPT scores.

Placement into Exit Level Writing Courses (DAS 152, 162, and 166)