Placement Testing and Developmental Education

Developmental education bridges the gap between the proficiencies of entering students and the college's ability to provide both access and quality.  The corollary is that without a comprehensive and effective developmental education program, a college will have to lower its standards.  The reasonable deduction, there, is that the developmental education program in any college is its most important program.

This post contains information as presented by  Dr. Edward A. Morante on the topic of Basic Skills Assessment and Placement at the Kellogg Institute of the National Center for Developmental Education at Appalachian State University. 

Atmosphere is important in any testing situation.

A minimum level of anxiety is optimum for success.  He said to aim for balance – be serious without being a total hardass.
What messages are given to student before they take placement tests?  This is so IMPORTANT. 

Keep in mind that most students have absolutely no understanding of what is expected in college.

At many colleges and universities, the assessment test plays an important role in placement.  At some colleges, is the only means by which our developmental students are placed. 
If you make the placement test optional, the students who are going to need it the most will not get it.  In the State of Florida, it is mandated.

The placement process plays a HUGE role in the success of an institution!

What percentage of students who take the placement tests:

                     Took the test, but did not enroll

         Took the test, but did not show up to class at all

         Took the test, when to class, but stopped going or dropped

A placement test needs to have items that are at the college level so that you can see the full continuum of skills range capability.  You cannot base a test solely on the level of proficiency of the students.  There must be skills tested that will be needed for proficiency – or it is not a placement test.

It is as important to understand what a test is not as it is important to understand what a test is.

The best predictor of future success is past achievement --- success in high school, however does not always indicate proficiency.  Things like AP courses in high schools are smoke screens.  Students are misled that they have skills that they often do not have.

To ensure success for all students at the post secondary level, there needs to be:

·         Mandatory testing

·         Mandatory placement

·         Developmental instruction – on more than one level

·         Support services that include counseling, advising, tutoring, and support labs.