TO EVALUATE THE PREDICTIVE VALIDITY OF THE ACT TESTS AND THE NON-ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT SCALES OF THE STUDENT PROFILE SECTION, AT 14 2-YEAR AND 21 4-YEAR COLLEGES STUDENTS WHO HAD COMPLETED THE ACT BATTERY PRIOR TO ADMISSION WERE SURVEYED FOR THEIR ACADEMIC AND NON-ACADEMIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING THEIR FRESHMAN YEAR. CRITERIA INCLUDED COLLEGE…

In 1979, humanities faculty at Reading Area Community College introduced the writing sample as the means of placing entering freshmen into appropriate writing classes. In response to expressed concern about the objectivity and validity of the writing sample approach, the humanities faculty engaged in a 6-year effort to adjust the writing sample…

Describes a study done at Suffolk County Community College (New York) that assessed the validity of the College Board's Computerized Placement Test in Reading Comprehension (CPT-R) by comparing test results of 1,154 freshmen with the results of the Degree of Power Reading Test. Results confirmed the CPT-R's reliability in identifying basic…

Since 1979, DeKalb Community College has used the Reading, English and Mathematics (REM) Test, which combines testing materials from three different sources, as an admissions and placement instrument. In spring 1984, a study was conducted to verify the results of a previous investigation, which had revealed significant correlation between REM Test…

California's College of the Canyons has used the four Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project (MDTP) tests to assess students' abilities in basic and college math since spring 1989. These four reports dated June 1993, July 1993, May 1994, and June 1994 examine the predictive validity of the MDTP tests and the cut scores used to place students. The…

Describes a study examining the relationship between scores on a Sentence Skills component of an English placement test and final course grades in a community college marketing course. Finds a significant positive correlation between scores and final grades, but one not strong enough to be used for predictive purposes. (13 citations) (BCY)

Since fall 1983, each student intending to enroll in an English course at American River College (ARC) has been required to take a placement test consisting of the vocabulary and usage subtests of the Descriptive Tests of Language Skills of the College Board. A study was conducted to establish the predictive capability of the test by correlating…

Presents an analysis of the correlation between computerized placement test scores and subsequent academic performance for 74 2-year college students. Finds a low correlation between scores and course pass rates. Suggests that other qualitative measures be employed in addition to computerized testing to assess students. (12 citations) (BCY)

A study was conducted to determine how best to use APS Reading Test scores for making English placement recommendations for students at College of the Canyons (COC) in Santa Clarita, California. The primary method used to establish cut scores involves comparing success rates for contrasting groups over a range of scores. The contrasting groups are…

The California Chemistry Diagnostic Test (CCDT) was developed by chemistry faculties at the University of California, California State University, and California Community College systems to address dissatisfaction with existing chemistry assessment instruments. The instrument was tested at 25 campuses of the 3 systems, after which Glendale…

California's College of the Canyons has used the College Board Assessment and Placement Services (APS) test to assess students' abilities in basic and college English since spring 1993. These two reports summarize data from a May 1994 study of the predictive validity of the APS writing and reading tests and a June 1994 effort to validate the cut…

In fall 1993, Golden West College (GWC), in California, participated in a large-scale study coordinated by Computerized Assessment and Placement Programs (CAPP) to gather evidence supportive of the College Board Assessment and Placement Services (APS) tests. The study focused on gathering instructor ratings of student preparedness levels in a…

In May 1991, a professional development conference was held for coordinators of services for learning disabled (LD) students in New York State two-year colleges. The purpose of the session was to provide an opportunity for information and dialogue targeted at the exchange of ideas and perspectives and the consideration of regional and local…

Concerns over equity, access, and fairness of placement testing have resulted in state regulations requiring validity evidence of the placement test with respect to a criterion variable, such as final course grades. A study was conducted to assess the validity of placement tests used to place students in pre-collegiate and college-level English…

The American College Testing (ACT) Assessment Program is reviewed in this four-part report in terms of its use at North Harris County College (NHCC). Part I briefly reviews the contents of the four ACT tests: English Usage, Mathematics Usage, Social Studies Reading, and Natural Science Reading. It goes on to discuss the stability, limitations, and…