Course Placement

Course Assessment/Placement and Prerequisite Clearance

We offer placement recommendations for English and math courses and a Guided Self-Placement for students enrolling in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.

Our placement process is compliant with California Assembly Bill (AB) 705 and AB 1805, which requires California Community Colleges to maximize the probability that a student who is seeking an Associates Degree and/or transfer to a four-year university will complete transfer-level coursework in English and math, either with or without support, within one year. Additionally, we will use multiple measure to ensure students are placed in the appropriate class(es) for them. For students enrolling in:

English and math, this includes using high school performance data, such as last completed high school English and math classes and high school grade point average (GPA) for determining placement.
for credit English as a Second Language classes, this includes using a Guided Self Placement Tool to determine course(s) to take.

FAQs About AB 705 and AB 1805

English and Math Placement

Lady happily filling out intake form at desk

Find out which English and Math classes you should start taking.

Sierra College is breaking down barriers for students to enroll in transfer-level English and math classes so you can graduate and/or transfer to a four-year university sooner.

How Does it Work?

For students enrolling in English and math, this includes using the following documentation to determine your placements:

high school performance data, such as last completed high school English and math classes and/or high school grade point average (GPA) for determining placement
college transcripts from another college where transfer-level English or math courses were completed

Find My Placements Tool

If you do not have high school performance data or prior college transcripts, contact Assessment and Placement Services.

Placement Help Articles and Resources

Schedule ESL Guided Self Placement

We want to help you enroll in ESL Classes that are the best fit for you.

For students whose primary language is not English, consider taking English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. ESL classes can help students improve their English, including writing, reading, speaking and listening. Credit and free, non-credit classes are available.

Not Sure What ESL Classes to Take?

To get started, schedule a Guided Self Placement appointment by calling Assessment and Placement Services or visiting us on the Rocklin Campus (Building LT, Room 1).

The Guided Self Placement appointment will help determine your level of English, what course(s) you should start with, and will include a brief conversation with an ESL faculty member.

Learn More About Our ESL Program

Frequently Asked Questions About AB 705 and AB 1805

Learn more about AB 705 and AB 1805, and what they mean for students.

What is AB 705?

California law (Assembly Bill 705) eliminated the use of assessment tests to determine the placement of students into transfer-level math and English courses in California community colleges.

For students enrolling in:

English and math, we use high school performance data, such as last completed high school English and math classes and high school grade point average (GPA) for determining placement.
for credit and non-credit English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, we use a Guided Self Placement Tool to determine class to take

The goal of AB 705 is to maximize the probability that a student will enter and complete transfer-level coursework in English and math, either with or without support, within a one-year timeframe while attending college.

To learn more, watch the Know Your Rights: The AB 705 Initiative and What it Means for Students video.

What is AB 1805?

California law (Assembly Bill 1805) requires California community colleges to publicly provide placement and enrollment outcome data highlighting students who have been enrolled in our English, math, and English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.

The goal of AB 1805 is to ensure students are placed fairly, equitably and appropriately in English, math, and ESL classes.

Sierra College Placement and Enrollment Data

View Sierra College English, math and ESL course placement data for 2021-2022, 2020-2021 and 2019-2020.

Our data includes the number of students in a specific academic year by:

Total number of “new first-time students” and “first-time transfer students”
Race/ethnicity
Headcount and percentage of students recommended for transfer level courses with and without support based on placements
Headcount and percentage of students who enrolled in transfer level courses with and without support
Percentage of students who enrolled in non-credit/below transfer level courses

I already took a non-credit math and/or English class. How do the new placement policies apply to me?

I no longer have access to my high school records. What do I do?

You can contact your high school and request a copy of your transcript. Depending on the district there may be a small fee.

If you are unable to access your high school information, your placements will be based on the information you provided when you applied to attend Sierra College. If you feel like this placement is not right for you, please contact Assessment and Placement Services or make an appointment with your counselor.

I have been out of high school for a long time. What do I do?

I left high school without graduating. What do I do?

I have a transcript from outside the United States. What do I do?

I was placed into transfer-level math and/or English, but I’m not ready. What are my options?

For students whose primary language is English, they can register for support courses along with their English courses and use our free academic support services, such as the Writing Center or Tutoring Center. If you have further questions or concerns, be sure to make an appointment with a counselor.

For students whose primary language is not English, they can choose to take English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. ESL classes can help students improve their English, including writing, reading, speaking and listening. Credit and free, non-credit classes are available. Be sure to meet with a counselor to review your options.

For students who have been placed in transfer-level math, they can register for a support course along with their math course or look for math courses in the class schedule that note “This section includes embedded support.” They can also use our free academic support services, such as Math Tutoring or Tutoring Center. If you have further questions or concerns, be sure to make an appointment with a counselor.